How We Approach the Integration of Psychological Services in the Care of Children With Cancer Predisposition Syndromes.

Abstract

The psychosocial aspects of pediatric hereditary cancer range beyond initial coping with the genetic diagnosis and are situated across the lifespan and continuum of care. Over the past 20 years, a growing body of evidence has demonstrated the need for tailored support to identify and manage psychosocial concerns of pediatric patients with, or at risk of, a cancer predisposition syndrome (CPS). As the unmet needs of young people with a CPS continue to grow, the importance of psychology in the genomic era has expanded. This paper discusses how psychologists can be integrated with inter- or multi-disciplinary teams to address complex psychosocial needs.