Chemotherapy and “talk therapy” are both essential

  In recent years, the incidence of tumor is on a rapid rise, which has become a common and frequent disease threatening human health and life, and even a major cause of death for human beings. At present, with the continuous progress of medical treatment, a series of advanced treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy can effectively extend the survival period of most cancer patients and significantly improve the quality of survival. Meanwhile, in the process of fighting with cancer, people gradually realize the important role played by psychological factors in the process of cancer treatment.  To curb cancer, we need to build a psychological defense!  Although there are clear biological and physicochemical factors such as genetic defects or internal and external carcinogenic triggers in the process of cancer development, social, psychological, behavioral and humanistic factors also play an important role in the development of cancer. It is especially crucial to fully mobilize their confidence and courage to fight against malignant tumors.  At present, about 70%~80% of tumor patients have psychological disorders, mainly manifested as depression, anxiety, irritability and fear. From the medical point of view, a negative and depressed state of mind can cause disease, and the disease in turn reacts to human psychology and emotion. As a kind of malignant stimulus, cancer itself will produce serious psychological disorders for patients, and such negative emotions will also lower the immune function of the body and affect the immune surveillance of cancer cells, resulting in active cancer cells and continued development of cancer, which will lead to a vicious cycle until the end of life.  Therefore, good and effective communication with patients before and during treatment, as well as necessary psychological interventions to overcome the bad psychological state and build up a psychological defense against cancer, are the prerequisites to contain cancer. Therefore, chemotherapy and “talk therapy” are both indispensable.  ”Although the method is simple, it has been accepted by more and more medical institutions and social groups as an important psychological aid in cancer treatment in recent years. For medical oncologists, chemotherapy is one of the most effective means to curb the proliferation of cancer cells. In a well-established and humane medical plan, a friendly, good home-like chatting conversation with the patient before chemotherapy is essential and equally important for both the physician and the patient.  Failure to communicate with patients in a timely manner before administering medication, but simply for the sake of chemotherapy, can result in a dramatic “slide” in the patient’s psychological state due to side effects caused by the chemotherapy process or complex changes in their condition, which will directly affect their prognosis.  What methods are used in “talking therapy” In “talking therapy”, the following two methods can be used according to the different situations of patients.  The first is to talk alone, with spouse and family members, which is the most common method used by doctors in “talking therapy”. The purpose of the conversation is to relieve the patient’s tension, reduce their fear and despair, improve their cooperation with the doctor and strengthen their confidence in the treatment.  Secondly, patients are encouraged to join the “circle” of patients to learn and exchange their experiences in fighting cancer, to motivate and set examples for each other, to lift their spirits and to fight against cancer with a positive and optimistic attitude.