Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University , Melbourne , Australia.
Climacteric. 2019 Dec;22(6):584-588. doi: 10.1080/13697137.2019.1606795. Epub 2019 May 13.
Thankfully, many more women are now surviving cancer due to advances in awareness, surveillance, and treatment. In fact, many oncology clinicians now consider cancer a chronic illness. This has meant that a growing number are living with the physical and psychological consequences of the disease. The psychological impact and emotions experienced by survivors are varied. Some reactions are more common than others, including the onset of depression, anxiety, and sexual dysfunction and feelings of abandonment, isolation, grief, and fear of recurrence. Body image and sexuality are also commonly impacted by cancer, particularly by women who experience treatment-induced menopause. Existential and spiritual concerns can also cause psychological consequences. In time, however, many women adjust to life as a cancer patient and find new meaning and purpose in their lives. The aim of this article is to highlight the key psychological issues faced by women who are in the chronic or survivorship phase of their cancer experience. The article also aims to emphasize the need for ongoing evaluation of the psychological status of these women during regular follow-up appointments. This will ensure that patient-centered supportive care is optimized.
谢天谢地，由于在认识、监测和治疗方面的进步，现在有更多的女性能够在癌症中幸存下来。事实上，许多肿瘤临床医生现在认为癌症是一种慢性病。这意味着越来越多的人正在承受疾病带来的身体和心理后果。幸存者的心理影响和情绪是多种多样的。一些反应比其他反应更为常见，包括抑郁、焦虑和性功能障碍，以及被抛弃、孤立、悲伤和恐惧复发的感觉。身体形象和性也常受到癌症的影响，特别是经历治疗诱导性绝经的女性。存在和精神方面的问题也可能导致心理后果。然而，随着时间的推移，许多女性会适应癌症患者的生活，并在生活中找到新的意义和目标。本文的目的是强调处于癌症慢性或生存阶段的女性所面临的主要心理问题。文章还强调了在定期随访预约中需要持续评估这些女性的心理状况，这将确保以患者为中心的支持性护理得以优化。
