Oncology nurses have known for a long time that survivorship can be wrought with psychological and physical effects for both the patient and family from the time of diagnosis onward. We all have worked with patients who seem to be in significant distress—some patients may be teary eyed, confused, perhaps angry, or even withdrawn. And we also have worked with patients who seem to manage everything with little outward indication of distress. Every patient is different, with each individual possessing his or her own coping mechanisms. But one thing is true, cancer takes an emotional toll on the patient and their caregivers. This emotional toll deserves better focus and oncology nurses are in a perfect position to do something about it.
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