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How We Approach the Integration of Psychological Services in the Care of Children With Cancer Predisposition
Joan W Hanania1,2,3, Rowan Forbes Shepherd4, Lori Wiener5
1Department of Supportive Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Insights
Pediatric hereditary cancer patients need lifelong psychosocial support. Psychologists are crucial in genomic medicine teams to address the complex needs of young individuals with cancer predisposition syndromes.
Area of Science:
- Genomic Medicine
- Pediatric Oncology
- Psychology
Background:
- Psychosocial needs in pediatric hereditary cancer extend beyond diagnosis, spanning a lifetime of care.
- Evidence highlights the necessity for specialized support for pediatric patients with cancer predisposition syndromes (CPS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the expanded role of psychology in the genomic era for pediatric patients.
- To outline how psychologists can integrate into multidisciplinary teams to manage complex psychosocial needs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on psychosocial support for pediatric hereditary cancer.
- Discussion of psychologist integration in inter/multidisciplinary care models.
Main Results:
- Growing evidence supports tailored psychosocial interventions for pediatric CPS.
- Increasing recognition of the importance of psychological support throughout the continuum of care.
Conclusions:
- Psychologists play a vital role in addressing the evolving psychosocial challenges of pediatric hereditary cancer.
- Integration of psychologists into care teams is essential for comprehensive management of young patients with CPS.
Abstract:
The psychosocial aspects of pediatric hereditary cancer range beyond initial coping with the genetic diagnosis and are situated across the lifespan and continuum of care. Over the past 20 years, a growing body of evidence has demonstrated the need for tailored support to identify and manage psychosocial concerns of pediatric patients with, or at risk of, a cancer predisposition syndrome (CPS). As the unmet needs of young people with a CPS continue to grow, the importance of psychology in the genomic era has expanded. This paper discusses how psychologists can be integrated with inter- or multi-disciplinary teams to address complex psychosocial needs.
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