CURRENT DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT APPROACHES IN PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY

Cancer is often a turning point before a medical diagnosis. It is a sudden pause in an individual’s life narrative, a process of uncertain-ty and re-evaluation. The fear, anxiety, hope, resilience, and grief ex-perienced during this process are as real as the physical symptoms. Psycho-oncology is a field that seeks the scientific equivalent of this human experience. This discipline, pioneered by Jimmie C. Holland, has revealed that psychological care is not a luxury but a necessity. Today, psychosocial care is considered an integral part of good oncological practice. This book has been prepared with the aim of bringing together clinical experience and scientific evidence. Current approaches are discussed within a broad framework, from diagnostic assessment to psychotherapeutic interventions, from psychopharmacology to pal-liative care processes. Strengthening the psychological resilience of individuals battling cancer, improving their quality of life, and developing a care model that protects human dignity are among the ethical responsibilities of modern healthcare services. We hope that the information and clinical perspectives presented here will serve as both a theoretical resource and a practical guide for all professionals working in the field of psycho-oncology. We extend our sincere thanks to our valued chapter editors, chap-ter authors, and editorial board who were involved in every stage of this book. Our wish is that this book will inspire practices that contribute to the quality of life of individuals battling cancer, and that it will serve as both a scientific and humanitarian guide… Prof. Dr. Çiçek HOCAOĞLU Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Rize, Türkiye Assoc. Prof. Dr. Faruk KURHAN Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Van, Türkiye