The Psychological Fallout in the Treatment of Gynaecological Cancer

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The Psychological Fallout in the Treatment of
Gynaecological Cancer

• Mary Miller, PhD
• Director,
• Victoria Psychology Clinic

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Outline

• Why Consider Psychological Fallout?
• What is Psychological Fallout what are the
  common issues that arise?
• What can be done to help cancer patients
  maximise survival from a psychological standpoint?

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Cancer Recovery Pyramid
Cancer Recovery Foundation - UK Registered
Charity 1105703
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Cancer Survival Pyramid

• Personal change is pervasive among long-term
  cancer survivors. The typical survivor becomes
  keenly self-aware. He or she comes to possess a
  strong understanding of and belief in what is
  personally "right" for themselves in their own
  unique ways of living, relating, and healing.
  Survivors tend to nurture a bone-deep sense of
  self-worth. The result is that cancer survivors
  bring a more ordered personal world into
  existence. The changes come first survivorship
  follows.

Cancer Recovery Foundation - UK Registered
Charity 1105703
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Psychological Fallout of Gynaecological Cancer

• Ambivalence Too much information too quickly
  What do you need to help you with the decisions
  you need to make? Who might help you work through
  it?
• Coping style transferring vulnerability to
  strength (care of self vs. care of others),
  intellectualisation
• Self Esteem Illness, surgery, treatments, loss
  of functioning all can have a negative impact on
  self-esteem
• Sexual Identity loss of sexual organs, loss of
  sexual interest
• Identity Cancer Patient, Cancer Survivor, a
  Person who once had cancer
• Threats to relationships Couples Coping Dyadic
  Coping

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Delivering Bad News Well

• Dos
• Have the facts to hand
• Ensure there is enough time
• Control interruptions
• Is a support person invited?
• Clarify time available
• Clarify what patient knows or suspects
• Be prepared to follow patients agenda
• Observe and acknowledge reactions
• Check for understanding.

• Donts
• Make assumptions about
• The impact of the news
• Patients readiness
• Who else should be present
• Patients Priorities
• Patients Understanding
• Give too much information
• Decide what is most important
• Give inappropriate reassurances
• Answer questions if you dont have the facts at
  hand
• Decide for your patient who should receive the
  information.

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Psychological Forces In the Treatment of Cancer

• Well-being and Treatment Outcome
• Social Support and Treatment Outcome
• Beliefs and Treatment Outcome
• Death and Dying - What does it mean to die well?