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“Throughout the cancer journey there needs to be an appreciation of the different mental health needs at each stage. Cancer brings many challenges for wellbeing with fear, isolation, loss of self esteem and of independence all having an impact. How service providers engage with service users, before during and after treatment also has an impact, with good communication and signposting to support services an important part in promoting wellbeing. Effective support needs to be built around tailored, person-centred initiatives based on need to ensure the right support is available at the right time.”
“Depression and anxiety are more common in patients with cancer, and they are associated with poorer quality of life and cancer survival’
Cancer diagnosis affects many aspects of life – both for a patient and their families. Supporting the emotional, psychological and mental health needs of people with cancer is essential in helping patients deal with the diagnosis as well as physical and emotional side effects of cancer. This conference, chaired by Dr Asanga Fernando, Macmillan Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist, Macmillan Cancer Psychological Support Team, and Clinical Director of Simulation and Clinical Skills St George’s Advanced Patient Simulation Centre, St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, provides a practical guide to providing effective psycho-oncology support for people with cancer across the whole pathway: from diagnosis through acute treatment, living with and beyond cancer and end of life care.
“The role of psychological support in oncology is huge as soon as you put it on a par with the physical aspects of medicine….we wouldn’t give people chemotherapy without anti-sickness drugs, so why would we treat someone with a disease which clearly has significant psychological impact, without offering psychological support”
This conference will enable you to:
- Network with colleagues who are working to improve psychological, emotional and mental health support for people living with and beyond cancer
- Learn from outstanding practice in improving mental health support through the cancer pathway
- Reflect on national developments and learning
- Improve the way you support people at diagnosis
- Develop your skills in delivering integrated support
- Understand how you can improve the management of patients who are experiencing psychological symptoms secondary to diagnosis or treatment for cancer
- Identify key strategies for improving support for cancer survivors
- Understand the impact of a terminal diagnosis and meet the emotional, mental health and spiritual needs of those at the end of life
- Self assess and reflect on your own practice
- Gain cpd accreditation points contributing to professional development and revalidation evidence
100% of delegates at our previous conference on this subject would recommend it to a colleague
