Psychoneuroimmunology, pronounced psycho-neuro-immunology and referred to as just PNI, can be considered the integration of behavior, medicine and spirituality in cancer care. The Cancer Treatment Centers of America look to psychoneuroimmunologists as important members of the care team because the ambiguity of diagnosis and the extent of treatment can be exhausting for the cancer patient. The PNI approach joins psychiatry, psychology, nutrition, movement, social work and spirituality into one process in the continuity and quality of care.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is highly suggested for those with cancer because it helps them come to terms with diagnosis and deal with grief, relationships and lifestyle changes. A counselor or psychologist, according to the National Cancer Institute and Psychoneuroimmunology Research Society Roundtable, will often engage the patient in one-on-one as well as group therapies that will help to bring an outlet and voice to underlying issues -- anxiety, depression and stress -- that can exasperate immunological functioning and effectiveness of treatment, and can compromise survivability.
Psychiatry/Psychopharmacology
A psychiatrist is often a welcomed addition to the cancer care team. A medical doctor who specializes in mind-health, the psychiatrist can prescribe medications such as an antidepressant to combat symptoms associated with physiological manifestations such as fatigue. The National Cancer Institute and Psychoneuroimmunology Research Society Roundtable suggests that medication can also improve immune system response so long as the individual is engaging in stress-reducing behaviors and managing extenuating circumstances with talk therapy.
Nutrition and Dietary Services
Nutritional concerns are a priority for cancer survivability. In addition to stressors, inadequate nutrition must be addressed to support being able to withstand surgical procedures and treatment. Tracking nutrition also helps to determine the cause of treatment ineffectiveness. Seattle Cancer Care Alliance suggests a combination of disease-specific nutritional assessments as well as dietary education and counseling as a means to adequately address complications, weight management, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
Complementary and Relaxation Therapies
Complementary and relaxation therapies are abundant in cancer centers today. Following years of research on mind-body connections to disease, doctors recognized the need to incorporate soul-healing and spiritual components to the treatment of cancer. Cancer Treatment Centers of America, as well as others, employ numerous techniques, from stress management and relaxation therapies to guided imagery for managing treatment. To boost the spirits of cancer patients undergoing treatments, they also offer support groups both for the individual and their family care providers, laughter/humor therapy and energy field techniques.
Spirituality
Psychoneuroimmunologists may also add pastoral or spiritual counselors to the cancer care team. It is not uncommon to have chaplains or other religious and spiritual guides on board to help keep the individual from feeling disappointed in his faith, let down by a higher power or out of tune with his beliefs. As seen with complementary and relaxation therapies, clinical settings similar to Cancer Treatment Centers of America understand the importance of hope, optimism, balance, culture, rituals and practice to the provision of quality cancer care.
References
- Cancer Treatment Centers of America: Alternative Ovarian Cancer Therapy, Mind-Body Medicine Treatment
- National Cancer Institute and Psychoneuroimmunology Research Society Roundtable: Executive Summary
- Seattle Cancer Care Alliance: Nutrition
- Cancer Treatment Centers of America: Spiritual Support for Ovarian Cancer Patients
