Psychological rehabilitation for cancer patients: from the origins to the present

Cancer patients may suffer from severe distress that results in low mood, lack of energy and fatigue, and reduces the effectiveness of treatment. For a favorable outcome, they need rehabilitation to help them cope with the psychological effects of cancer. A psycho-oncologist is a specialist who provides psychological support and care for cancer patients and their relatives. The first studies demonstrating the efficacy of psychotherapy and rehabilitation in cancer patients were conducted in the last third of the 20th century both in Russia and overseas. Nowadays, available techniques used all over the world include cognitive behavioral therapy, art therapy, and creative visualization.