Abstract

GARCIA-ALANDETE, Joaquín  and  HERNANDEZ-JIMENEZ, María Jesús. Existential Suffering of the Oncologic Patient in an Advanced Stage: Dimensions and Vertebral Axes for a Psychological Intervention. pers.bioét. [online]. 2018, vol.22, n.2, pp.319-330. ISSN 0123-3122.  https://doi.org/10.5294/pebi.2018.22.2.9.

The relief of existential suffering in the patients with adavanced cancer is a first-order therapeutic goal. The present work suggests some axis on which psychotherapeutic intervention could be developed, in order to facilitate in these patients: 1) The experience of: In spite of the "existing" limited situation, one's life "still" has meaning, 2) Positive emotional experiences that promote well-being and quality of life, and 3) Face the serious illness that will cause one's almost imminent death, through the development of a serene, reconciled attitude with life and integrating with oneself and the others.

Keywords : Cancer; advanced stage; existential suffering; palliative care; existential counselling; psychological adaptation.

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