ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION Psycho-oncology, or the study of the psychological aspects of cancer along the continuum from prevention to cure, has emerged slowly since 1975 as a subspecialty within oncology as well as psychiatry and psychosomatic medicine. Psycho-oncology addresses the psychological response of patients, their families, and heath care providers to cancer, and facilitates collaboration with investigators studying the impact of therapeutic interventions on quality of life and patient-reported outcomes. It also addresses the psychological, behavioral, and social factors that influence cancer risk, detection, and survival.
