Expectations of patients with a diagnosis of breast cancer when meeting the psycho-oncologist : beyond the assistance of the oncologist

Objective: Cancer patients consider the oncologist as their main resource insofar as the medical needs generally take precedence over psychological needs. Nevertheless, the psychological intervention is also important. The systematic consultation implemented in our hospital after a diagnosis of cancer is a manner to answer patients’ psychological needs. In a survey, we assessed the satisfaction and expectations of the patients about this consultation. Methods: One year after a diagnosis of breast cancer, 104 patients answered a retrospective questionnaire assessing: socio- demographic data, cancer medical information, systematic consultation satisfaction, patients’ expectations for a systematic intervention, and patients’ characteristics who began a psychological follow-up. Results: 72.1% of the patients were satisfied with having the opportunity to consult a psychologist during a systematic consultation after cancer diagnosis. Their expectations were to have opportunities of emotional expression, reassurance, obtaining additional medical information, talking about their fear over additional treatments, and identifying further support. 28.8% of the patients re-contacted the psychologist for further help after the systematic consultation. They were significantly younger (p < 0.001) than the others. Conclusions: Besides the importance of support by medical specialists [1], offering the opportunity to breast cancer patients to discuss inner feelings and treatment expectations during a systematic psychological consultation was useful for most of them. About one third of the patients asked for a further consultation with a psychologist after a first systematic consultation, especially younger patients. This stressed the importance of the role of psychologists for psycho-social support of the patient after cancer treatment.