[Possibilities of cognitive behavioral therapy in the oncological care]

Cancer is a huge psychological difficulty both for the patient and the caregivers. Patients often suffer from hopelessness, helplessness, depression, anxiety or other psychological disturbances. Although the cognitive behavioral interventions (cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness) are evidence based, short, time-limited, focused treatments for patients with cancer, in Hungary there are only little evidence and experiences about application of cognitive behavioral methods in the oncological care. The main goal of this review to provide a survey about the cognitive behavioral theories and the international practical experiences in the field of oncological care, furthermore, to propose to apply these structured, directive, problem-focused interventions among patients with cancer to professionals which are able to decrease distress of patients or caregivers and these methods are able to treat the mental disorders, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, which usually relate with cancer.