Psycho-oncological support for breast cancer patients: A brief overview of breast cancer services certification schemes and national health policies in Europe

L Neamţiu; S Deandrea; L Pylkkänen; C Freeman; J López Alcalde; A Bramesfeld; Z Saz-Parkinson; A Ulutürk; D Lerda

doi:10.1016/j.breast.2016.07.002

Psycho-oncological support for breast cancer patients: A brief overview of breast cancer services certification schemes and national health policies in Europe

Breast. 2016 Oct:29:178-80. doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2016.07.002. Epub 2016 Aug 13.

Authors

L Neamţiu¹, S Deandrea², L Pylkkänen², C Freeman³, J López Alcalde⁴, A Bramesfeld², Z Saz-Parkinson², A Ulutürk², D Lerda²

Affiliations

¹ European Commission, Directorate General Joint Research Centre, Directorate F - Health, Consumers and Reference Materials, Unit F1 "Health in Society", Via E. Fermi 2749, TP 127, I-21027 Ispra, VA, Italy. Electronic address: [email protected].
² European Commission, Directorate General Joint Research Centre, Directorate F - Health, Consumers and Reference Materials, Unit F1 "Health in Society", Via E. Fermi 2749, TP 127, I-21027 Ispra, VA, Italy.
³ Cancer Epidemiology Research Programme, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Gran Via de l'Hospitalet 199-203, 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
⁴ Unidad de Bioestadistica Clinica, Hospital Universitario Ramon y Cajal (IRYCIS), CIBER Epidemiologia y Salud Publica (CIBERESP), Ctra. Colmenar Km. 9,100, 28034 Madrid, Spain; Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Ctra. Pozuelo-Majadahonda Km. 1,800, Madrid, Spain.

PMID: 27526300
DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2016.07.002

Abstract

Psycho-oncology addresses the psychological, social, behavioural, and ethical aspects of cancer. Identification and proper management of the patients' psychosocial needs, as well as the needs of their caregivers and family are essential for a person-centred concept of breast cancer care. The aim of this overview is to describe how psychosocial support in breast cancer is incorporated in cancer-related policy documents, such as national cancer plans and breast cancer care certification schemes.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Healthcare quality; National cancer plan; Psycho-oncology; Psychological support; Psychosocial support.

MeSH terms

Breast Neoplasms / psychology*
Certification
Europe
Female
Health Policy*
Humans
Medical Oncology / legislation & jurisprudence*
Psychosocial Support Systems*