Blog
The Significance of World Cancer Day on February 4th
- February 4, 2024
- Posted by: SEETHALAKSHMI SIVAKUMAR
- Category: Health
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZEHqhVHzlY
(04-02-2024 – zoom session on cancer awarenss can be watched in the above link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1x4cuU6psk7Qum7L9pLpYjvOdhJV6SruZ/view?usp=sharing
(PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE FILE)
World Cancer Day is celebrated on February 4th every year to raise awareness about cancer, its prevention, detection, treatment, and the importance of psychological support for cancer patients. This global initiative aims to unite individuals, organizations, and governments in the fight against cancer and to reduce the global impact of this devastating disease.
Psychological Counseling and a Model counselling Cancer Patients
Cancer not only affects the physical health of patients but also takes a toll on their mental and emotional well-being. Psychological counseling plays a crucial role in helping cancer patients cope with the emotional challenges they face throughout their journey.
A counseling model for cancer patients typically involves a multidisciplinary approach, including psychologists, oncologists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. The primary goal is to provide emotional support, help patients manage their fears and anxieties, and improve their overall quality of life.
Steps in Counseling for Cancer Patients
When it comes to counseling cancer patients, several important steps need to be followed:
- Assessment: The therapist assesses the patient’s emotional well-being, coping mechanisms, and support systems. This helps in identifying the specific needs and concerns of the patient.
- Establishing rapport: Building trust and a strong therapeutic relationship is essential for effective counseling. The therapist creates a safe and non-judgmental environment where patients can express their feelings openly.
- Active listening and empathy: The therapist listens attentively and empathetically to the patient’s concerns, allowing them to feel heard and understood.
- Psychoeducation: Providing patients with information about cancer, its treatment, and potential side effects helps them make informed decisions and reduces anxiety.
- Exploration of emotions: The therapist helps patients explore and express their emotions, allowing them to process their fears, anger, sadness, and grief.
- Coping strategies: Teaching patients coping strategies, such as relaxation techniques, mindfulness, and problem-solving skills, helps them manage stress and enhance their resilience.
- Support network: Encouraging patients to seek support from family, friends, and support groups can provide them with additional emotional support.
- Continued support: Regular follow-up sessions ensure ongoing support and help patients navigate the emotional challenges at different stages of their cancer journey.
Aspects to Discuss in Counseling for Cancer Patients
During counseling sessions, various aspects related to a cancer diagnosis and treatment can be discussed:
- The patient’s understanding of their diagnosis and treatment options
- The impact of cancer on their daily life and relationships
- Managing treatment side effects and symptoms
- Coping with fear, anxiety, and depression
- Addressing body image and self-esteem issues
- Exploring end-of-life concerns and advance care planning
- Supporting family members and caregivers
Aspects Therapists Should Avoid in Counseling for Cancer Patients
While providing counseling to cancer patients, therapists should be mindful of certain aspects:
- Avoiding false hope or making unrealistic promises
- Avoiding judgment or criticism
- Avoiding minimizing or dismissing the patient’s emotions
- Avoiding overwhelming the patient with too much information
- Avoiding imposing personal beliefs or values on the patient
Benefits of Psychological Counseling for Cancer Patients
Psychological counseling offers numerous benefits to cancer patients:
- Improved emotional well-being and quality of life
- Enhanced coping skills and resilience
- Reduced anxiety, depression, and stress
- Better communication with healthcare providers and loved ones
- Increased understanding of the disease and treatment options
- Improved decision-making and problem-solving abilities
- Support in adjusting to life after cancer treatment
World Cancer Day serves as a reminder of the importance of psychological counseling for cancer patients. By providing emotional support and addressing the unique challenges they face, counseling plays a vital role in helping patients navigate their cancer journey with resilience and hope.
Great job. Best of luck.
Cancer treatment measures have collaborative efforts of multidisciplinary team involving oncologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses,counselors etc. The role of counselor is to provide psychoeducation to the sufferer,develop rapport, active listening, developing empathy etc.Cancer is associated with anxiety, fear,depression many a times. So the role of the counselor is to cater to the emotional well being of the subject suffering from cancer. Counselor should not give false Hopes to the subject.
I’m psychology student ,
It is good for our future in psychology field.
I need course for psychology long distance learning under center pts and oncologist course
Very nicely explained here in detail etc.
As a counsellor I believe that counselling is the best technique for the cancer patient because they don’t want sympathy . They need to physical and emotional support. With the counselling they may easily fight emotionally and physically themselves. Counselling not only help to cancer patient, even it helps to all types of patients to fight themselves physically, emotionally and mentally with the disease without any fear.
As a counsellor that counselling is the best policy for the cancer patient because they don’t want sympathy but they want to physical and emotional support. Byt he counselling they may easily cure to self. Counselling not only help to cancer patient, even it helps to all type of patients to cure themselves and to fight with the disease.
As a counselor I balieve that ,Counselling is the best dealing the cancer patients . They don’t need to sympathy. they only want to physical and emotional support..counselling sessions help to patience for accept the problem and dealing with the disease .
Counseling is a collaborative effort between the counselor and client Counselling help clients identify goals and potential solutions to problems which cause emotional turmoil ,seek to improve communication and coping skills, strengthen self-esteem, and promote behavior change and optimal mental health.
It is good for our future in psychology field.
Such a training is a very good opportunity for all of us to learn higher in psychology.
Eagerly waiting
Good job.
Excellent
Consult with them for how to utilize their time by pleasurable kind apart from their pathetic condition and how manage pain and other things.
Psychological counselling has widely affected the cancer patients in all aspects. The first and the foremost treatment for them is the emotional stability provided by the counsellors.
Cancer is both a physical and psychological battle which can involve emotions of fear and uncertainty. Psychological counselling has widely affected the cancer patients.
Here, the counsellors create an environment where people feel comfortable discussing cancer openly, and pave the way for empathy for their patients to help in them recovery.
The stigma associated with cancer can isolate individuals, hindering their journey towards recovery.
The patients experience a significant difference in their emotional health starting from the diagnosis until the completion of the treatment.
Therapy sessions can improve survival rates, reduce fear of recurrence and provide a better quality of life to the patients.”
World Cancer Day serves as an empathetic reminder that the elimination of misconceptions is as important as medical advancements in the fight against this grave disease.
Good approach towards cancer patients
Counselling help clients identify goals and potential solutions to problems which cause emotional turmoil ,seek to improve communication and coping skills, strengthen self-esteem, and promote behavior change and optimal mental health.
After reading the article I really understand the importance of counselling in such severe diseases. Really a right Counselling help them in coping with their physical and emotional problems as well.