Psychological Support
Consultant: Dr Asma Riaz
Dr. Asma is a Consultant Psychiatrist with vast experience in:
- Adult Psychiatry
- Liason Psychiatry
- Behavioral Health
- Supportive Psychotherapy
- Trauma therapies including EMDR
Psychological issues in Newly diagnosed breast cancer patients
- Breast cancer diagnosis imposes significant emotional distress on a substantial proportion of patients , posing many challenges for themselves, their spouses & families
- Cancer diagnosis is usually associated with pain, chronicity, changes in body image, loss of function and death.
- One third to half of women with breast cancer experience psychological distress
- Anxiety and psychological distress can reduce the quality of life of cancer patients are associated with poorer clinical outcomes.
- Psychosocial care for cancer patients often has been neglected as an aspect of quality clinical care
- Attention to psychological problems is also equally important as fast and accurate diagnosis and treatment.
- Distress screening provides an opportunity to determine the basis of psychological distress and provide appropriate treatment.
- Newly diagnosed younger women are at high risk for social isolation/ depression. When identified the patient should be timely referred to psychiatrist
The Importance of Psychological Support
Stress, depression, anxiety, and other disease-related side effects sometimes interfere with treatment and impact patients' quality of life.
Coping successfully can have a substantial impact on the quality of life of patients and those around them. Through psychological support, we can adjust medication, clarify the medical and psychological aspects of disease and treatment, and suggest treatment for depression while avoiding drug interactions and the worsening of side effects.
At Nisa breast center, an individualized approach is applied that recognizes the difference in adjustment to diagnosis, disease-related physical challenges, and side effects depending on age, personality, background, and beliefs.