Psychological burden of haematological cancer on patient and family. Is it time for a multisystem approach?

Purpose of review Literature addressing the psychological impact of haematological cancers on patients and their families is sparse. New evidence might prompt a change in approach to the assessment and management of psychological burden. Recent findings The diagnosis, treatment and surveillance of haematological cancers often has a profound psychological impact on patients and their families and can result in clinically significant problems and increased carer stress. These may manifest at any stage from diagnosis to death or living as a survivor. Some high risk sub-groups have been identified. Summary The range of diagnostic groups, wide range of data analysis time-points relative to time of diagnosis, heterogeneity of outcome measures and differing methodologies (mainly prevalence studies) confound generalisation of the findings. Targeted screening of the most at risk sub-populations at times of greatest risk seems sensible to facilitate early intervention; further work is required to establish how often to screen and the best way of doing that. None of these papers define thresholds for intervention. Clearly more psychological support is needed for patients with haematological cancers and their families but these papers do not provide evidence to suggest what this should comprise. There remains a need for large, longitudinal multi-centre studies. Correspondence to Carol Davis, Dr. Hospital Palliative Care Team, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD. Tel: +0238120 4126/ 07966 217841; e-mail: Carol.Davis@uhs.nhs.uk Copyright © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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