PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY RESEARCH 

Cancer, widely seen in society, is becoming an increasing health problem worldwide because it causes various physical and psychosocial problems. Experiences such as hopelessness, uncertainty, fear of death, guilt, loneliness, anxiety, and helplessness that may occur after the diagnosis of cancer may be challenging for the individual. Maladaptive responses to these experiences may affect the course and severity of the disease, the patient's compliance with treatment, quality of life, family, professional, and social functionality. The length of the treatment process and the problems that arise during treatment affect not only the patient but also his/her relatives and caregivers, bringing along various psychological problems such as depression and burnout. For this reason, it is important to determine the difficulties of oncology patients in the treatment process and the effects of losses in this process on individual and family life and to develop psychological strengthening programs for these issues.

This program aims to determine the psychological difficulties of cancer patients in the diagnosis and treatment process and the factors that play a role in the emergence of these difficulties. It also aims to develop projects to create effective and easily applicable treatment methods to cope with these difficulties. The fields of study aimed in this direction are as follows:

• Investigation of psychological and behavioral factors that play a role in the emergence/relapse of cancer disease.
• Determination of psychological difficulties and behavioral reactions experienced by cancer patients during diagnosis, treatment, and post-treatment remission periods, development of psychological and psychosocial interventions.
• Development of psychological and psychosocial interventions to prevent burnout in families and caregivers of cancer patients.
• Determining the psychosocial needs of health professionals involved in the diagnosis and treatment process of cancer patients and developing interventions for these needs.
• Establishment of a self-help program to maintain psychological well-being in the long term.
• Establishing protocols for primary care interventions to be implemented by existing treatment providers (such as allied health personnel) in the institution where oncological treatment is provided.
• Incorporating technology into the assessment and treatment process.