Cancer Psychological Support Pilot Program to Start in July, Benefiting 8,000 Patients and Families

According to the latest cancer registration, the cancer clock in 2023 accelerated by 14 seconds, with one person diagnosed with cancer every 3 minutes and 48 seconds. In addition to body temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and pain, international consensus recognizes psychological distress as the sixth vital sign. The Taiwan Cancer Foundation and the Asia-Pacific Psycho-Oncology Exchange Foundation today held a press conference titled "Let Psychology Be Seen," advocating for the inclusion of psychological care in cancer care.

Chen Po-hsi, Director of the Department of Mental Health, Ministry of Health and Welfare, when asked about the plan for free psychological support for cancer patients and their families, stated that initially, it will not only target head and neck cancer and lung cancer but also plans to expand to breast cancer. Considering that patients with other types of cancer may also have needs, such as more severe and urgent situations, they can also be included if the medical team assesses a need.

Chen Po-hsi explained that the National Health Administration's Cancer Treatment Quality Improvement Program covers about 100 hospitals nationwide, of which about 12 cancer treatment certified hospitals implement cancer family and social support, and already have basic information on related cancer psychological support. In the future, they will undertake the pilot program for free psychological support for cancer patients and their families.

Chen Po-hsi stated that the preliminary plan is to conduct mental health screenings for cancer patients and their families, with mental health risks divided into three levels: low, medium, and high. When the risk level is high, 12 free counseling sessions are expected to be provided; those with medium risk will receive 6 free counseling sessions. The current system tends to be an additional item, and it is hoped that it will gradually be optimized into a fixed support program in the future.

In addition, Chen Po-hsi said that the pilot program for free psychological support for cancer patients and their families will be launched as early as July, with an injection of NT$80 million in public budget, expected to provide services to a maximum of 8,000 people. It will not only provide services to individual cases but also their families. After the guidelines and pilot program are stable, the possibility of formally incorporating it into national health insurance coverage will be studied.

Tsai Li-chuan, Deputy Executive Director of the Taiwan Cancer Foundation, stated that cancer is not a single event but a "vibration of self-existence." Cancer affects not only individuals but also the entire family, and may gradually lead people to become disconnected from society. Cancer care should move from prolonging life to holistic care, and psychological support should become a basic provision, not an additional option. (Editor: Wu Su-jou) 1150408