Psycho-oncology supports the whole person during and after cancer treatment
April 1, 2026
Hearing the words “you have cancer” can feel overwhelming. Along with medical decisions and treatment plans often comes a wave of emotions: fear, uncertainty, sadness, anxiety, and sometimes relief at finally having answers.
This range of responses is completely normal. A cancer diagnosis is big news, and patients deserve time and support to process it. This is where psycho-oncology can help. Psycho-oncology is a specialized field that focuses on the emotional, psychological, and social aspects of cancer.
Supporting mental health isn’t separate from cancer care – it’s an essential part of it. Research has shown that 12%-15% of people with cancer report having severe anxiety. About 1 in 4 have depression, a rate five times higher than the general population.
At the UT Southwestern Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, our psycho-oncology team helps patients navigate the emotional side of cancer care at every stage of the journey – from the first tests and diagnosis through treatment, survivorship, and beyond.
Our goals are simple: to support the whole person and to give them a sense of control and stability in a time when so much feels out of their hands.
Mind-body connection in cancer care
Mental and physical health are closely connected, and cancer makes that relationship even more visible. A cancer diagnosis can trigger emotional stress that affects sleep, appetite, concentration, and relationships. At the same time, the physical effects of treatment such as fatigue, pain, and changes in appearance can influence mood and well-being.
Research also indicates that untreated mental health conditions affect cancer outcomes. This doesn’t mean that stress causes cancer or determines outcomes. But it highlights something important: Mental health treatment plays a meaningful role in overall cancer care.
For example, some patients experience significant anxiety before treatments or procedures. In some cases, anxiety can become so intense that it delays treatment or follow-up testing.
Our role in psycho-oncology is to help people develop tools, so they feel ready to:
- Move forward in their treatment plan.
- Communicate with their care team.
- Maintain supportive relationships and activities.
- Build coping skills during a challenging time.
Related: Read ‘How to talk with your kids about a cancer diagnosis in the family'
What makes psycho-oncology unique?
Psycho-oncology is designed specifically for people affected by cancer. We work closely with cancer care teams and understand the unique challenges these patients must navigate.
Patients can meet with our team at any point in their cancer journey. Some come to us shortly after diagnosis, when they are still processing the news. Others seek care during active treatment or survivorship.
In the first appointments, we start by discussing the patient’s needs and experiences. Our work may involve:
- Providing a safe space to process emotions.
- Teaching coping strategies for anxiety or stress.
- Addressing rumination or fear about the future.
- Helping patients manage sleep difficulties.
- Sustaining a high quality of life during treatment.
One of our goals is helping people find ways to maintain meaning, connection, and enjoyment in life while navigating a cancer diagnosis. We want to help people stay grounded and take the process one step at a time.
A brief history of psycho-oncology
Psycho-oncology emerged as a medical field in the 1970s through the pioneering work of Jimmie C. Holland, M.D. She recognized that cancer care should address patients’ emotional well-being as well as their physical disease. Today, psycho-oncology is an established part of comprehensive cancer care around the world.
To raise awareness of this important field, the International Psycho-Oncology Society observes World Psycho-Oncology Day each year on April 9. The day highlights the importance of integrating psychological support into cancer care and honoring the professionals who help patients navigate the emotional challenges of cancer.
Meeting patients where they are
Every cancer journey is different. Some patients arrive feeling overwhelmed or afraid. Others have already begun to process their diagnosis and may feel more stable once they have a treatment plan in place. Some are ready to talk immediately while others need time to warm up.
Our role is to meet patients where they are emotionally and tailor support to their needs.
For some, distress is temporary and improves once treatment is underway or when it ends. For others, cancer may intensify mental health challenges that existed before their cancer diagnosis. Understanding each patient’s unique history and experiences will help guide the care we provide.
There is also flexibility in how to access psycho-oncology services. Visits may be in person or virtual, and patients and their provider will determine a useful treatment plan that will work around their other medical treatment needs.
Most importantly, participation is always optional. This is one aspect of the cancer journey in which patients have control over whether and when they want support.
Related: Read '3 ways to improve survivorship care after cancer treatment'
Support beyond therapy: A team approach
Psycho-oncology is one part of the broader support system available to patients at Simmons Cancer Center. Patients at UT Southwestern also have access to supportive services that address the physical, emotional, and practical aspects of cancer care. These may include:
- Support groups: Talking with others who understand the cancer experience can reduce feelings of isolation.
- Social work services: Social workers help patients navigate practical concerns such as transportation, financial stress, caregiving needs, and family communication.
- Nutrition counseling: Registered dietitians can help patients maintain strength and well-being during treatment.
- Spiritual support: Ministry is available to people of all faiths as well as those who claim no faith or no religious affiliation.
- Music therapy: Board-certified music therapists use a variety of evidence-based techniques and methods of applying music to foster therapeutic outcomes for patients and families.
Cancer affects more than the body. It affects every part of a person’s life. Psycho-oncology exists to help patients navigate those challenges, whether a person is coping with a new diagnosis, managing anxiety during treatment, or adjusting to life after cancer.
Support is available, and reaching out for help is a powerful step toward caring for each patient’s whole health. Because cancer care is not only about treating the disease – it’s about supporting the person living through it.
To talk with an expert about psycho-oncology, make an appointment by calling 214-645-8500 or request an appointment online.
