Currently, the country’s only centre offering this specialisation in training is the four-year-old Centre of Psycho-Oncology for Education and Research (Coper) in Bangalore.
As cancer treatments ensure better recovery, survivor numbers may grow.
An upcoming field called psycho-oncology combines cancer and psychological care to help patients through their treatment.
Currently, the country’s only centre offering this specialisation in training is the four-year-old Centre of Psycho-Oncology for Education and Research (Coper) in Bangalore.
A nationwide pilot survey was conducted two years ago. Coper’s founder-director Dr Brindha Sitaram said: “Of those surveyed, 42% patients were seen to be in severe psychological distress.” In India, cancer afflicts about 15 lakh people. This means that 7-8 lakh patients need professional psychological assistance.
“The survey also dispelled the myth that India has a strong family support system. It revealed that when the bonds are close, the distress is that much more,” she said. Thus, a need for psycho-oncologists was felt.
However, at present India does not have much expertise in the field. With no guidelines, the centre extrapolated directives of the National Cancer Comprehensive Care Network, an international non-profit organistaion.
There is a three-month programme to train onco-nurses who can help identify if a cancer patient requires psychological intervention.
There is a six-month fellowship programme to train social workers or doctors in dealing with patients’ reactions. It also teaches them communication skills apart from other scientific treatments.
With support groups coming into focus, a need for psycho-oncologists becomes stronger. Medical professionals pointed out that while there are psychological issues that need to be addressed, few are actually referred.
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