[Psychosocial aftercare of patients with endometrial or cervical cancer]

Research in psychooncology focuses primarily on the impact of cancer, less on psychosocial causes of cancer. Recent tendencies in clinical practice are shown.

Original papers show that anxiety, depression, postmenopausal symptoms, fatigue, sexuell issues, relationship and family become important problem areas for the patients. Anxiety and depression are independent of the state of the disease but, instead, depend on the extension of treatment. For unmarried single women sexual issues become a problem earlier whereas the problem develops later for married women. Women with cervical carcinoma are more affected than others.

There is a high need for psychosocial counselling which is not considered enough in the daily clinical practice. Psychosocial aftercare is, regardless to different focuses, the task of the entire team. Good precare is just as important as good aftercare to reduce anxiety, pain and increase well-being. Addressing information and support in a timely fashion is important in providing success to psychosocial aftercare.