Expectations of Patients with a Diagnosis of Breast Cancer When Meeting the Psycho-Oncologist: Beyond the Assistance of the Oncologist
David Ogez1, Philippe de Timary2, Martine Berlière1, Leila Rokbani1, Maud Colmant1,
Frédérique Lieutenant1, Guillaume Gascard1, Catherine Denoel1, Aline van Maanen1,
Emmanuelle Zech3
1Cancer Center, Cliniques Universitaires St Luc, Brussels, Belgium
2Adult Psychiatry, Cliniques Universitaires St Luc, Brussels, Belgium
3Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain-Ia-Neuve, Belgium
Email: david.ogez@uclouvain.be
Received 3 July 2014; revised 3 August 2014; accepted 3 September 2014
Copyright © 2014 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc.

Abstract
Objective: Cancer patients consider the oncologist as their main resource insofar as the medical
needs generally take precedence over psychological needs. Nevertheless, the psychological intervention
is also important. The systematic consultation implemented in our hospital after a diagnosis
of cancer is a manner to answer patients’ psychological needs. In a survey, we assessed the
satisfaction and expectations of the patients about this consultation. Methods: One year after a diagnosis
of breast cancer, 104 patients answered a retrospective questionnaire assessing: sociodemographic
data, cancer medical information, systematic consultation satisfaction, patients’ expectations
for a systematic intervention, and patients’ characteristics who began a psychological
follow-up. 

Results: 72.1% of the patients were satisfied with having the opportunity to consult a
psychologist during a systematic consultation after cancer diagnosis. Their expectations were to
have opportunities of emotional expression, reassurance, obtaining additional medical information,
talking about their fear over additional treatments, and identifying further support. 28.8% of
the patients re-contacted the psychologist for further help after the systematic consultation. They
were significantly younger (p < 0.001) than the others. Conclusions: Besides the importance of support by medical specialists [1], offering the opportunity to breast cancer patients to discuss inner feelings and treatment expectations during a systematic psychological consultation was useful
for most of them. About one third of the patients asked for a further consultation with a psychologist after a first systematic consultation, especially younger patients. This stressed the importance
D. Ogez et al.

of the role of psychologists for psycho-social support of the patient after cancer treatment.
Keywords
Psycho-Oncology, Screening, Consultation, Systematic, Psychological Follow-Up, Breast Cancer,
Survey