The Psychological Service at the Cancer Center

Getting support to cope emotionally with cancer and its treatments is crucial for oncology patients. The psychological service at the Cancer Center in Sheba provides compassionate guidance from diagnosis to every stage of the disease.  The treatment is beneficial in everyday situations, allowing room for questions, dilemmas, and challenges that arise along the way. 

The psycho-oncology service offers a professional and effective psychological support for patients and their families facing cancer. It also serves as a valuable source of information and research in this field.

Around 50% of cancer patients may experience different levels of anxiety, depression, and various adjustment disorders. Symptoms may include anxiety, depression, restlessness, sleep issues, intrusive thoughts, and a decrease in daily enjoyment. These mental symptoms are linked to changes in physical well-being, and it's important to recognize that  can and should be treated.

In psycho-oncology treatment, our focus is on supporting you through the emotional journey, helping you find effective coping strategies, and addressing the emotional and mental well-being of both patients and family members. We understand that different challenges may arise at different stages of the disease and treatment:

Coping with the diagnosis

Typically, people who seek our service approach us following the diagnosis phase. At this point, they have a cognitive grasp of what lies ahead, but emotionally, they're still processing and adjusting their daily routines to the new situation. During the diagnosis stage, questions may also arise about trusting the medical system and uncertainties related to the disease. 

Interpersonal communication

Should I disclose? What should I say and how? How can I effectively communicate with my children, partner, and parents? Together, we navigate the journey of determining whether and how to involve our loved ones. Those who initially face illness in isolation soon discover that sharing their experiences with loved ones can provide invaluable support.

During the treatment stages, questions may arise about coping with physical changes and body image, seeking support and increasing dependence on family and loved ones, finding inner strength, experiencing physical and mental exhaustion, and feeling overwhelmed throughout the treatments. This situation can lead to anxiety in some patients. In such cases, behavioral therapy focused on anxiety can be incredibly effective, especially when started early.

Recovery and getting back to life

The completion of treatments brings great hope, yet the transition back to everyday life can be mentally and emotionally challenging. Patients are often left with questions about their future and fear of the disease returning. The regular monitoring by the medical team is replaced by periodic check-ups, which some individuals dearly miss. An occupational change becomes a common consideration during this phase, whether due to physical or emotional reasons.

Thinking about end of life issues 

Individuals diagnosed with cancer often experience thoughts about end-of-life issues. These thoughts can revolve around fear of the future, the progression of the disease, or the loss of life. It's completely normal to have such thoughts while coping with the illness, and seeking mental health care can provide valuable support. Psycho-oncology treatment offers tools to help manage these distressing thoughts and the challenging emotions that come with them.

As in important centers around the world, we regularly hold support groups that focus on specific patient populations. These groups provide essential tools for everyday coping and offer a space for patients to share their experiences, insights, and knowledge with others facing similar struggles. The connections formed within these groups can make the journey of coping a little easier. 

At times, the weight of treatments, tests, and fatigue may cause you to prioritize caring for your body while neglecting your mental well-being. However, it's important to remember that receiving proper support and effective psychological treatment can strengthen, uplift, and enhance your coping abilities during this period. We're here to support you.