Onco – Counselling focuses on understanding and addressing the psychological, social, spiritual, emotional, and functional aspects of cancer. The goal of Onco – Counselling is to help cancer patients and their families feel less anxious, uncertain, helpless, and confused.

Counselling is a vital part of oncology care. A cancer diagnosis is profoundly challenging for both patients and their families. Patients often have numerous questions about their diagnosis, treatment options, follow-up care, survival rates, lifestyle changes, relationships with loved ones, workplace dynamics, and financial concerns. While they may discuss these topics with their doctors and nurses, a psycho-oncologist, psychologist, or Onco-counsellor can provide deeper insights into the emotional journey they are facing.

The Need for Onco – Counselling

Cancer is no longer a rare illness; it has become a common reality for many families in India. Following a diagnosis, patients often encounter numerous challenges. The strain of treatment can be overwhelming—some families face significant financial burdens, while others struggle to decide on the best treatment path and manage the illness. Most patients experience side effects during their prolonged treatment, and even those in remission continue to require support.

Every cancer patient navigates a wide range of emotions due to their stressful circumstances. Prolonged denial, sadness, anxiety, and depression can adversely affect mental health, which in turn can impact treatment outcomes, as greater patient involvement in decision-making is linked to better results. 

In paediatric cases, it’s often the family or caregiver who needs counselling more than the child. This dynamic can also influence how well patients adhere to their treatment plans.

How Onco – Counsellor Can Help

Onco-counsellor are trained clinical psychologists who specialize in supporting patients and their families through a cancer diagnosis. They adopt a patient-centered approach, working collaboratively with both patients and their families to help them navigate the challenges of diagnosis and treatment. Given the family-centered culture in India, partners and family members play a significant role in the treatment process, and Onco-counsellor provide holistic support for everyone involved.

Key Areas of Support Include:

• Helping patients and caregivers identify practical coping strategies for daily challenges.
• Offering encouragement and emotional support.
• Finding solutions to enhance the quality of life.

Benefits of Consulting a Onco – Counsellor

Psycho-oncologists and counsellors are essential in various aspects of cancer care. Their benefits include:

• Helping manage the psychological side effects of treatment.
• Enhancing understanding of the illness for patients and their families.
• Addressing challenges that arise during treatment, such as body image concerns and treatment-related anxiety.
• Facilitating open communication between patients and their loved ones.
• Supporting caregivers by acknowledging their emotional challenges related to the diagnosis and treatment.
• Encouraging recovery and well-being post-treatment.