How can psychologists help?

While I would agree that the psychological side of cancer (not only breast cancer) is often neglected, there are no single answers to the questions you ask just as there is no
one 'cancer'. First thing would be awareness that a life threatening illness is likely to disturb your equilibrium! Second, that if you already have major problems and stresses in your life (which a health professional may be quite unaware of) a cancer diagnosis is unlikely to reduce that stress and concern. Third, that diagnosis can often be unclear, confusing and take time to sort out in some manageable way. And that's just the first week or two! I am sure many can share their stories, but just as we always say with treatment, we are all different, our cancers are different, treatments are different and responses are different. The best start is to place psychological assistance in the same category as medical assistance (not that you have lost your marbles!) and approach the whole issue holistically. Second, listen to the patient. Regards. 

Hi @Afraser ! Thanks for your reply. You're right.. my post was very broad. I guess I wanted to receive a broad range of answers, but perhaps it was too non-specific! Every path is different and I can only imagine how hard it would be when medical/health professionals try to "fit" you into a one-size-fits-all category of "cancer patient", when every diagnosis/treatment is unique. 
Arh, there's nothing worse than telling someone that "it's all in your mind" or alluding to the notion that "you have lost your marbles"... if it were that trivial, it wouldn't be causing so much distress. I like to think that no well-trained psychologist would respond in that way.

More specifically - do you think psychological support is accessible to people with cancer? For example, if you needed to access a psychologist/psychiatrist, would it be a hassle? I am specifically thinking of people who live in rural areas where specialised support may not be readily available, or for those who may not want to travel / do not have the time to attend a therapy appointment (e.g., fatigue, mobility issues, other physical side effects, demands of children, work commitments etc.).. or are these not very relevant barriers?  

Thanks again!

@SarahS ...

 I know that some members have had to wait weeks, even months for an appointment .... when the were in dire need of immediate assistance!!  Not good. :( 

i am not even sure if there IS a psychologist/psychiatrist  in my own area, without having to go to a bigger town nearby .... 1/2hr away, or a major town, 1.5 or 2 hrs away

Hi @arpie , wow 1.5 or 2 hours is a long way to travel. I am aware that I asked you this in the private discussion we had, but would also like to post this publicly for others to input... would an online skype/video or telephone-delivered therapy be a viable alternative to face-to-face therapy if you live in a rural area? Or, does that sound unappealing? 
Any input is welcome,
Thanks!

@SarahS. Why do you want to know this information? Is it part of your studies?
I tried to contact a breast care nurse. She wasn't  interested. She thought I  lived too far from her workplace. I don't. 
I tried to talk to a social worker. She told me to talk to my G.P.
So, I  am  not sure that seeing a psychologist, that I know nothing about, would be of benefit to me.

As per at @PattiJ's comments, it can be quite difficult. I am Melbourne based - I went through chemo with very little difficulty and then wham! Got three potentially lifelong side effects in a row. My problem wasn't so much how to cope, but sorting out my own sense of who I was and how I functioned. My senior oncology nurse recommended a counsellor, she was excellent and a relatively small number of sessions got me on a path which I am still on. Not everyone has those options, there may be no-one available without excessive travel, some find their counsellors not particularly helpful or not cancer experienced.  I was 68, had worked throughout treatments, so no child rearing responsibilities, work wasn't a particular problem (I did change my job 12 months after diagnosis but by choice not necessity) and most of the changes I made (delegating better, making more time for myself, not working 60 hour weeks) were long overdue before I got cancer! If a cancer diagnosis throws you out of work (has happened), a lack of income threatens the roof over your head and you have children to support, maybe on your own, your problems are about survival in every sense of the word. For me, the critical thing was that my counsellor "got" me very quickly -  no pat answers, no standard therapies, straight and humour filled talking. The smart one was my oncology nurse - made a really sensitive match, rather than suggesting a support group or talking to my GP! 

Hi @"Patti J"

I am a provisional psychologist and PhD candidate, but posts on this thread will not be used in a study (it would not be possible to use information on here without participant consent...). Whilst I plan to run a clinical trial later down the track in my studies (i.e., trialling a psychological therapy to help cancer patients/survivors cope with emotional challenges), at the moment I am trying to gain a basic understanding of the mental health difficulties that accompany cancer. Also, psycho-oncology is an area I am quite interested in pursuing after I finish my training, and I find online forums to be a really welcoming place / casual way to discuss these issues with people all over the world! So I am very grateful for all the input I receive.. as you can imagine, the research papers/textbooks don't give a very personal depiction of the lived experience! Feel free to ask any other questions. I really am here, not to probe, but to become more informed as a new mental health professional. 

It's a shame about your breast care nurse. It seems that the mental health services were quite limited for you @"Patti J"  :neutral: , and I can completely understand how it may seem odd to open up to a "stranger" who you know nothing about!!

I went through Peter Mac as a private patient and looking back there was no asking whether i needed access to a psychologist even at the 6 month period. Neither was i offered the services of a breast care nurse until 12 months after. I don't know whether it was because i was early stage and wasn't going down the full treatment line (2 lumpectomies then hormone therapy,  no rads, no chemo). I ended up accessing a psychologist myself around the 6 month mark as i felt i needed it. My husband had prostate cancer at the same time so it was a lot to deal with. I am surprised it's not part of your treatment package and like everything you don't have to take it up. 

Hi @Afraser , I'm very glad that you were able to get onto a counsellor quite quickly.. it's great to think that one may only need a few sessions to see positive changes. And as you seem to have experienced, often the quicker you get help, the easier it is to get "back on track". 
Yes, I have come across a few people who also mention that a cancer diagnosis makes you prioritise what matters most in life.. e.g., making more time for yourself and not working ridiculous hours! (if only it didn't take a cancer diagnosis to do so!) And I can imagine, for some, job loss and financial strain would add another burden to the already huge mental load...

@Artferret , Thanks for sharing your experience. It does baffle me that psychological/counselling services are not part of the treatment package! Especially when it often seems that the mental health effects of cancer are actually more challenging than the physical cancer side-effects itself. 
Wow, having both yourself and your husband having cancer would be a large load to carry (even if you were carrying it together). But, good on you for taking the initiative to find a psychologist yourself!