Predictors of the use of psycho-oncological care

Psychosocial stressors and mental disorders can negatively affect the success of cancer treatments. Therefore, they should be addressed by target group-oriented psycho-oncological care. This study examined possible predictors of the use of psycho-oncological care.

Routine data from 5217 patients of a German Comprehensive Cancer Center between 2020 and 2023 were analysed in a retrospective monocentric study. The effects of predictors (gender, age, distance to the center, subjective stress at intake, and tumor stage) on the use of psycho-oncological care (use vs. no use) and on the number of psycho-oncological care sessions lasting at least 20 min were explored using logistic and binomial regression analyses.

Women at younger age, experiencing subjective distress, and patients with advanced-stage cancer were significantly more likely to use psycho-oncological support. Female patients, younger patients, patients who lived closer to the treating centre, patients with subjective distress, and patients at higher tumor stages attended more sessions of psycho-oncological counselling. The analyses also indicated substantial differences between different organ-specific cancer centers.

All patients should be screened for psychological distress and wish for psycho-oncological support by a structured and validated tool. Vulnerable patients, patients at risk, and those, who are hesitant to seek help, could be screened by an interview to reduce barriers.