Psycho-Social Consequences of Cancer: The Irish Psycho-Social Oncology Network (IPSON)

Last week saw 2019's first Members Meeting of the Irish Pyscho-Social Oncology Network (IPSON) take place in Dublin. IPSON works closely with the Irish Cancer Society, and aims to advance services for cancer patients in Ireland. So, what is Psycho-Social oncology, and what does IPSON do?

Psycho-Social oncology is concerned with the psychological, social, behavioural and ethical aspects of cancer. A diagnosis of cancer is recognised as a possible cause of distress. Cancer symptoms, treatments, and treatment side effects can have major adverse effects on the quality of life of the person with cancer and those in his or her close social network.

Undue suffering, distress, psychological morbidity and possible mortality can be reduced and prevented through early recognition, optimal referral and appropriate interventions which are now well established internationally.

Currently there are approximately 170,000 cancer survivors in Ireland. However, Ireland performs poorly by international standards in relation to cancer risk, incidence, survival and psycho-social care. The provision of psychological care for those affected by cancer is mostly ad hoc and patchy. The National Cancer Strategy (2017-2026) specifically calls out the importance of the psycho-social impact of cancer and recognises the need for greater access to evidence-based services.

Established in 2017, The Irish Psycho-social Oncology Network (IPSON) is the representative group for professionals working in the area, such as nurses, doctors, social workers, psychologists, academics and researchers, and psychotherapists.

IPSON represents professionals working across cancer care in the community, acute hospital settings, cancer support centres, primary care and hospice and palliative care.

Working closely with the Irish Cancer Society, IPSON aims to advance services for cancer patients in Ireland. Specifically IPSON will:

• Act as the hub for psycho-social issues in cancer care across clinical practice, community settings, professional training, policy and research in the field.
• Play a leading role in advocating for the improvement in cancer services in Ireland.
• Focus on advancing the psycho-social recommendations of the new National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026.
• Work to insure psycho-social oncology research is properly funded and supported.

Membership of IPSON is free and open to all professionals working with cancer patients. National member meetings take place three times per year.

To join today, simply visit: https://www.ipson.ie/membership

For more information, follow on Twitter @IRLpson or visit www.ipson.ie