Bengaluru, April 9: Hospitals in Bengaluru are increasingly integrating psycho‑oncology services into cancer care, recognising that emotional and psychological well-being is critical alongside medical treatment. This approach addresses the mental health challenges faced by patients and families, including anxiety, depression, and fear related to diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.
Unlike traditional oncology that focuses primarily on tumour treatment, psycho‑oncology provides counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy, coping skills training, and support for managing body-image concerns, fear of recurrence, and end-of-life issues. Experts note that up to 92 % of cancer patients experience emotional distress, which can affect treatment adherence and overall recovery.
A psycho-oncologist at Sakra World Hospital, shared a case where a patient with advanced cancer improved emotional resilience and quality of life with structured psycho-oncology support. Hospitals like HCG Cancer Centre and Apollo Hospitals have reported that patients who receive psycho-oncology care are more likely to continue treatment and cope better with side effects.
While the integration of psycho-oncology services in India is still limited—partly due to insurance coverage gaps and resource constraints—awareness among patients and medical professionals is growing. Experts emphasise that addressing mental and emotional health alongside medical treatment leads to better outcomes, improved adherence, and enhanced quality of life.
With cancer cases rising, Bengaluru hospitals are setting an example by offering holistic care that treats not just tumours but the whole person, highlighting the evolving nature of patient-centric oncology in India.
