Adult Psycho-oncology
Adult onco-psychology focuses on the psychological, emotional and social needs of adult cancer patients, their family members, and caretakers.
Navigating the patient journey – Access and Affordability
Access to cancer care in India is often very difficult and is broken into separate pieces across the vast geography of India. Patients often visit multiple local physicians before reaching a specialized center, a journey that can take anywhere between 3 months to two years. A publication titled Journeys: understanding access, affordability and disruptions to cancer care in India qualitatively explored the journey of patients accessing cancer care in India and their caregivers. The themes that emerged were related to
a) the journey of patients to access care,
b) the psychological journey of patients
c) stigma of cancer patients
d) decision-making and adherence to treatment
e) economic costs of cancer care and its impact
f) modifiers to accessing cancer care.
Cultural Perceptions: Stigma and the Use of Euphemisms
In Indian culture, talking about cancer is often viewed as a taboo topic similar to discussing death. To reduce the fear associated with the word “cancer,” approximately 51% of patients use euphemisms such as “hardened mass,” “ulcer,” or “pain” to describe their illness
While these terms can help provide immediate emotional relief from fear, their use is associated with a lower understanding of the condition and the use of fewer coping strategies
Interestingly, choosing which word to use may be one of the few ways patients can exhibit agency and personal control in a medical system often dominated by family-led decision-making. This is the finding of the paper titled, Indian patient use of cancer euphemisms: Association with psychological outcomes and health behaviours.
The journey of women navigating cancer amongst family, faith and patriarchy
The Indian collectivist family often provides emotional and financial support to women with cancer, but it can also be a source of stress. Treatment decisions are frequently made by male family members, limiting women’s involvement in their own care. Religious faith can promote resilience, but beliefs that cancer is God’s will may discourage treatment. Cultural expectations may also make women feel emotionally unsupported. Physical changes such as hair loss and mastectomy can cause shame, body image concerns, and fears about marital relationships.
Two studies based on the demography of South India have been conducted, one titled I don’t talk about my distress to others; I feel that I have to suffer my problems…’ Voices of Indian women with breast cancer: a qualitative interview study, aimed to study the psychological distresses experienced by Indian women with breast cancer living in Kerala and found out themes of far reaching psychological distress and another titled So, when a woman becomes ill, the total structure of the family is affected, they can’t do anything…” Voices from the community on women with breast cancer in India: a qualitative focus group study aimed to understand the cultural context within which Indian women with breast cancer living in India, experience psychological concerns from the perspectives of healthcare professionals, volunteers and church members.
Additionally, many cervical cancer survivors report unmet psychosexual health needs, highlighting gaps in supportive cancer care. You can access the study here.
Monitoring Psychological Distress and Fear of Recurrence
Psychological distress is considered the “sixth vital sign” in cancer care because it has a major impact on patients’ well-being. Around 30-40% of cancer patients experience significant emotional distress. This is one of the findings of the study titled Integrating psycho-oncology services in cancer care in India.
Fear of Cancer Recurrence (FCR), or the fear that cancer may return, is a common concern among South Indian breast cancer survivors. This fear is often higher in younger patients and those living in joint families. This topic has been explored in detail here.
Among patients with head and neck cancer, about 56.7% experience clinically significant distress, especially those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and those with visible tumor growth. If not addressed, this distress can develop into mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. To read more, please click here.
Behavioral Oncology: Tobacco Cessation and Peer Influence
Tobacco use remains a leading cause of preventable death in India. Although many users intend to quit, nicotine dependence, cravings, and peer influence often act as major barriers. Family support and awareness of health benefits, such as improved breathing and oral health, can motivate cessation. Future interventions should strengthen family and social support systems to promote long-term abstinence.
To read the publication, click here
In conclusion, research in the field of psycho-oncology in India, highlights that cancer is not only a physical illness but also a deeply emotional, social, and psychological experience. Addressing issues such as distress, stigma, family dynamics, survivorship, and behavioral health is essential for providing holistic cancer care. As cancer care continues to evolve in India, integrating psychological support into routine treatment can significantly improve the quality of life, resilience, and overall well-being of patients and their families.