Mission

Three out of four families in the USA are affected by cancer each year, and many more are touched by allied diseases. However, the psychosocial dimension, while the most universal, remains the most under recognized and untreated dimension of care for patients with cancer and allied diseases. Virtually all patients and their families experience distress varying from the predictable worries and fears to more serious forms of distress impacting on treatment and quality of life. Studies show that one third of cancer patients experience severe emotional problems. A group of mental health professionals working in oncology representing social work, psychology and psychiatry developed the American Psychosocial Oncology Society to address the unmet psychological, social, behavioral, spiritual and physical needs of patients with cancer and allied diseases and their families.