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Controversies in Psycho-Oncology

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Psychological Aspects of Cancer

Abstract

This chapter summarizes five current controversies in the field of psycho-oncology: (1) the benefit of screening for distress among cancer patients, (2) the effectiveness of psychological interventions among cancer patients, (3) the role of “positive psychology” (optimism, benefit finding) in cancer care, (4) the benefit of group therapy in extending survival among cancer patients, and (5) integrative oncology. Each controversy is briefly described with a general overview of the opposing viewpoints, a summary of the state of the science, and suggestions made for future directions in each case.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Psychology, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA

    Aishwarya Rajesh

  2. Cancer Control, Epidemiology and Disparities Research Program, University of Mississippi Cancer Center and Research Institute, Jackson, MS, USA

    Michael Stefanek

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  1. Aishwarya Rajesh
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  2. Michael Stefanek
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Jennifer L. Steel

  2. Liver Transplantation Institute, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey

    Brian I. Carr

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Rajesh, A., Stefanek, M. (2022). Controversies in Psycho-Oncology. In: Steel, J.L., Carr, B.I. (eds) Psychological Aspects of Cancer. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-85702-8_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-85702-8_15

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