Health, Disease, and Psycho-Oncology: a Multidimensional Perspective

This paper addresses the complexity of the concepts of health and illness, highlighting the interconnection with social, emotional and environmental factors. The biopsychosocial approach is fundamental to understanding the impact of a cancer diagnosis and the emotional challenges faced by cancer patients and their families. Psycho-Oncology is emerging as a vital discipline, providing emotional support, demystifying the diagnosis and promoting a holistic view of care, considering family care and the training of the healthcare team as a key to improving the quality of treatment and outcomes for patients.