[Psycho-oncology and the present tasks of psycho-oncologists]

This article aims to contribute to a better apprehension by oncologists of the work done by psycho-oncologists, by diminishing misconceptions and misunderstandings end promoting collaboration between them. First, we describe the main aspects of their practice, which is still too poorly apprehended, the landmarks they use (when they support a patient they take into account his/her body, social and professional position, personal and family history, objectives, psychopathology and the family), and the tools they have at their disposal. We then describe how psycho-oncology is currently organised, the "players" in the field and their allies (oncology on one side, social and human sciences on the other) and the main practice and research themes as reported in recent congresses and articles. More and more psychotherapeutic groups, community support, the patient's social, cultural and ethnic specificity and family, information, genetic issues, burn out among care providers, and children are being considered important. We hope this article gives a true image and a sufficiently detailed, though not exhaustive, account of psycho-oncology today, of the range of its possibilities, of its central interests.