International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS)

10/06/2026

🧠 Cancer care must treat the whole person, not just the cancer.

In a recent OncoDaily article, Dr. Olubukola Ayodele highlights why psychological wellbeing should be an essential part of cancer care, not an optional extra.

People affected by cancer may experience psychological distress alongside treatment-related challenges such as:

🔹 Sleep difficulties
🔹 Sexual dysfunction
🔹 Fertility concerns
🔹 Cognitive and mood changes
🔹 Early or treatment-related menopause

Yet psychological distress is often assessed less systematically than physical toxicity.

Dr. Ayodele advocates for a practical approach throughout the cancer journey: Screen → Assess → Refer → Intervene → Monitor.

From diagnosis and treatment through survivorship, recurrence, advanced disease and palliative care, everyone has a role in supporting psychological wellbeing.

📖 Read the full article:
https://oncodaily.com/voices/olubukola-ayodele-598828

Olubukola Ayodele: Why Psychological Wellbeing Must Be Part of Cancer Care? / Breast Cancer, breast cancer awareness month, cancer, cancer care, chemotherapy,

10/06/2026

📖 NEW FROM JPORP | Volume 8, Issue 3

Research depends on trustworthy participation. But what happens when participants misrepresent their eligibility or experience?

“Reflections on navigating the challenge of imposter participants in psycho-oncology research” examines the growing methodological and ethical challenge of imposter participants in psycho-oncology research.

👥 Authors: Kirsty Galpin, Rebekah Laidsaar-Powell, Jasmine Yee, Kyra Webb, Fiona S. Schulte & Haryana M. Dhillon

📰 Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Research and Practice
July–September 2026 | 8(3)

👉 Read the article: https://doi.org/10.1097/OR9.0000000000000199

10/05/2026

🌍 Are national cancer strategies addressing the whole person—not just the disease?

A new global analysis of 156 national cancer strategy plans reveals a significant gap in human-centred cancer care.

The study found that:

🔹 Human-centred care appeared in fewer than half of the plans reviewed
🔹 Only 12% identified people living with cancer as stakeholders in developing the plans
🔹 Psychosocial support training was included in just 16% of plans
🔹 Only 13% included strategies to protect patients from catastrophic cancer-related costs
🔹 Just 3% referenced essential medicines for psychological distress

The findings highlight the need to strengthen psychosocial care, mental health support, patient navigation, financial protection, survivorship care and meaningful patient involvement in cancer policy.

As the authors emphasize, a cancer strategy that plans for the tumour, but not the person, is incomplete.

📖 Read the full article:
https://bioengineer.org/cancer-plans-worldwide-overlook-the-human-side-of-care-landmark-analysis-finds/

📚 A cross-sectional global policy analysis of the human gap in 156 national cancer strategy plans, published in eClinicalMedicine.

10/05/2026

NEW FROM JPORP | Volume 8, Issue 3

Cancer survivorship can bring challenges that extend well beyond treatment.

“Life after cancer, a study on fear of cancer recurrence, cognitive impairment, and distress among adult cancer survivors from tertiary cancer center” examines three important aspects of the post-treatment experience: fear of cancer recurrence, cognitive impairment and distress.

👥 Authors: Revathy Sudhakar, Surendran Veeraiah, Divya Rajkumar, Venkatraman Radhakrishnan, Arvind Krishnamurthy & Priya Iyer

📰 Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Research and Practice
July–September 2026 | 8(3)

👉 Read the article: https://doi.org/10.1097/OR9.0000000000000204

#𝐢𝐩𝐨𝐬

10/03/2026

Meet Antonio Catarinella .
A Clinical and Health Psychologist, Psycho-oncologist, and Sexologist advancing inclusive cancer care!

Antonio’s work at the IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital and the University of Milano-Bicocca focuses on the intersection of psycho-oncology, sexuality, and gender.

Recognizing that cancer reshapes identity, relationships, sexuality, and the future, his current research investigates the effectiveness of supportive interventions for LGBTQIA+ and sexual and gender minority (SGM) cancer patients. For Antonio, our community is a vital space for collaboration. He shares: "IPOS has given me the opportunity to connect with an international community of professionals who share a common commitment: improving the lives of people affected by cancer."

Beyond his clinical and research life, Antonio is passionate about music, theatre, dance, and creative writing!

Read Antonio’s full profile: https://www.ipos-society.org/News/13727686

Join a supportive, global community of dedicated oncology professionals.

Become an IPOS member today: https://www.ipos-society.org/membership/apply

10/02/2026

🌍 Researchers: Help Advance More Inclusive Psychosocial Oncology Research

Who is represented in psychosocial oncology research and who is still missing?

A global collaboration on equity in psychosocial oncology research is inviting researchers from around the world to complete a 20-minute survey exploring:

🔹 Barriers and challenges to conducting inclusive research
🔹 Experiences with representativeness and inclusion
🔹 Successful strategies for engaging diverse populations
🔹 Practical ways to strengthen equity in psychosocial oncology research

Your insights will help identify approaches to improve the inclusion of diverse populations and ensure that the care informed by research better meets the needs of everyone living with or beyond cancer.

📊 What happens with the findings? Results will be shared with participants, presented anonymously at the IPOS World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, and published in a position paper.

👉 Take the 20-minute survey:
https://surveys.tilburguniversity.edu/jfe/form/SV_9sMa9BXBcjYwxlI

Please also share this invitation with colleagues who may be interested.

Your perspective can help make psychosocial oncology research and the care it informs more equitable for everyone affected by cancer.

10/02/2026

📖 NEW FROM JPORP | Volume 8, Issue 3

How can we better understand the way breast cancer survivors monitor and interpret bodily sensations?

“Reliability and validity of the Dutch bodily threat monitoring scale in breast cancer survivors” examines the psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the Bodily Threat Monitoring Scale.

👥 Authors: Marthe Van Overbeke, Lore Dams, Michel GCAM Mertens, Margaux Evenepoel, Maya Braun, Sophie Van Dijck, Annick De Paepe, Emma Tack, Mira Meeus, Lauren C. Heathcote & An De Groef

📰 Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Research and Practice
July–September 2026 | 8(3)

👉 Read the article: https://doi.org/10.1097/OR9.0000000000000200

09/30/2026

🌍 Exciting news for the global psycho-oncology community!

Our organizing committee recently met to start planning for the future, and the momentum is already building. We are thrilled to officially announce that the next global day of action will take place on April 9, 2027!

A massive thank you to our dedicated volunteers who attended this crucial session to help lay the groundwork: Ozan Bahcivan, Chun-Kai Fang, John Chagnon, Gil Goldzweig, Vijay C, Carmen Loiselle, and Samuel Pinzon.

Let's make the next our most impactful yet. Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the big day!

09/30/2026

📖 NEW FROM JPORP | Volume 8, Issue 3

How prevalent is depression among patients with cancer in Lebanon and what factors may influence willingness to seek psychological support?

“Prevalence and determinants of depression in Lebanese patients with cancer: a cross-sectional study” explores depression severity and psychological support-seeking among Lebanese patients with cancer.

👥 Authors: Fatima Dandash, Zena H. Chameseddin, Christina F. Said, Fadia Elias & Fadi Farhat

📰 Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Research and Practice
July–September 2026 | 8(3)

👉 Read the article: https://www.ovid.com/jnls/jporp/fulltext/10.1097/or9.0000000000000201~prevalence-and-determinants-of-depression-in-lebanese

09/30/2026

🌍 IPOS 2026 is getting closer!

The 27th IPOS World Congress in Barcelona is fast approaching—and there’s plenty to look forward to.

📚 Explore the latest Scientific Programme and start planning your agenda, with updates to sessions and programme developments.

🤝 Connect beyond the sessions at our Networking Event on Wednesday, November 11, at Can Travi, a historic 17th-century farmhouse in Barcelona. Come ready for inspiring conversations and meaningful connections with colleagues from around the world.

🎟️ Registration is open!

👉 Scientific Programme: https://ipos2026.com/scientific-programme/
👉 Networking & Social Events: https://ipos2026.com/social-events/
👉 Register: https://barcelo.eventsair.com/ipos2026/registrationform/Site/Register

Join leading experts, connect with peers, and be part of the conversations shaping the future of psycho-oncology.