| Abstract: |
(create) The prevalence of cancer anxiety is in the 10%-30% range but these data are limited by the use of varying instruments and criteria, small sample sizes, lack of prospective data, inclusion of anxiety due to a medical condition (e.g., steroid induced) within the anxiety category, heterogeneous cancer types, and cancer treatment confounders. When considering how anxiety manifests in cancer patients, it is important to reflect on how genes and pre-illness environment interact with illness and treatment stressors. In psycho-oncology, anxiety can be assessed and diagnosed in three different ways: 1. single symptom assessment; 2. multiple symptom assessment; and 3. clinical syndrome. Anxiety disorder subtypes are described. A challenge for psycho-oncology is delivering efficacious treatments for anxiety. Psychotherapy treatments and psychopharmacological treatments are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved). |
