ABSTRACT
Assessment of psychosocial and psychiatric needs is an increasingly important component of cancer care. Clinical experience with patients indicate that distress, anxiety and depression are prevalent from early stages of the illness. Strategies to enhance psychosocial care are presented and these include early identifi cation through screening, training for healthcare staff working with cancer patients and support not only for patients but their caregivers as well.
Cancer significantly impacts patients, families, the health system and society. Its incidence has grown steadily (9417 cases in 2006 to 11,069 cases in 2010) and it contributes to the second highest condition of hospitalisation (5.8%) in Singapore. Twenty-eight people in Singapore are diagnosed with cancer each day.
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