“We can't take away the uncertainty that comes with an incurable prognosis, but we can help patients live as best as possible with it,” says Dr. Cheryl Harris, study lead, clinical psychologist at The Ottawa Hospital and clinical professor at the University of Ottawa. “In doing that, we hope to decrease the distress patients experience and improve their quality of life.”A cancer diagnosis is a life-changing moment. While the physical effects often take priority, the emotional and mental toll can be just as profound. A new study published in Psychooncology explores a novel approach to addressing this gap in care: Adapting to Life with Cancer Cognitive ExisteNtial Therapy (ACCENT).

ACCENT is a group psychotherapy designed to support the unique mental health challenges faced by patients with advanced, metastatic or incurable cancer. Over six consecutive weeks, groups of six or seven participants joined 90-minute virtual sessions to explore their feelings and fears about their prognoses and learn new strategies to cope.

“We can't take away the uncertainty that comes with an incurable prognosis, but we can help patients live as best as possible with it,” says Dr. Cheryl Harris, study lead, clinical psychologist at The Ottawa Hospital and clinical professor at the University of Ottawa. “In doing that, we hope to decrease the distress patients experience and improve their quality of life.”

Participants found the sessions helpful and valued the opportunity to connect with others facing similar challenges. Building on this success, the team hopes to launch a randomized controlled pilot study with more diverse groups to further establish the efficacy of ACCENT in supporting the mental well-being of cancer patients.

Authors: Cheryl Harris, Lauriane Giguère, Alanna Chu, Jani Lamarche, Tori Langmuir, Kerry Menelas, Nicole Rutkowski, Ghizlène Sehabi, Sophie Lebel