VOA常速英语2007-Inadequate Mental Therapy Cited For Cancer Patie

By Melinda Smith
Washington
30 October 2007
 

The U.S. Institute of Medicine has released a study calling for uniform standards of emotional therapy for cancer patients. VOA's Melinda Smith has more on the study.

These cancer survivors² are sharing their stories of pain -- not just the pain of surgery or chemotherapy -- but the anxiety and depression which lingers long after treatment.

Beth Leibson-Hawkins is a cancer survivor¹. She says, "It would have been really nice to have somebody help me think about what it means to have cancer and how that affects the rest of your life."

While the study acknowledges that medical treatment for cancer has taken great strides, it says the emotional scars of these potentially life-threatening diseases are often left untreated. The report is especially critical of that lack of treatment at 20 of the nation's best cancer care hospitals. Only eight have routine psychological screening -- and that is offered only to some patients, not all.

"We have to take a wider view and treat the whole patient and take care of all of their needs, including their cancer," says Dr. Lee Schwartzberg, a cancer specialist at the West Clinic in Memphis, Tennessee.

At the West Clinic, patients respond to a questionnaire about their emotional well-being³ -- before they undergo a physical exam. The study by the Institute of Medicine wants this type of screening done along every step, from diagnosis⁴ to the last visit to the doctor.

Breast cancer survivor Karen Suddeth says that would have helped her cope during the many days of chemotherapy. "That was so, so hard for me. I mean, I will never forget the morning I knew my hair was going to have to come off."

The report also criticized medical providers for failing to refer patients to mental health counselors⁵ and cancer survivor support groups. One cancer patient found the experience of sharing helpful in recovery. She says, "Besides my family, who else did I have to talk to?"

One positive note: The American Society of Clinical Oncology, made up of cancer specialists, has announced it is offering a new training course to its members on how to be more sensitive to the emotional needs of their patients.

1 survivor   

n.生存者，残存者，幸存者

参考例句：

• The sole survivor of the crash was an infant.这次撞车的惟一幸存者是一个婴儿。
• There was only one survivor of the plane crash.这次飞机失事中只有一名幸存者。

2 survivors   

幸存者，残存者，生还者( survivor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The survivors were adrift in a lifeboat for six days. 幸存者在救生艇上漂流了六天。
• survivors clinging to a raft 紧紧抓住救生筏的幸存者

3 well-being   

n.安康，安乐，幸福

参考例句：

• He always has the well-being of the masses at heart.他总是把群众的疾苦挂在心上。
• My concern for their well-being was misunderstood as interference.我关心他们的幸福，却被误解为多管闲事。

4 diagnosis   

n.诊断，诊断结果，调查分析，判断

参考例句：

• His symptoms gave no obvious pointer to a possible diagnosis.他的症状无法作出明确的诊断。
• The engineer made a complete diagnosis of the bridge's collapse.工程师对桥的倒塌做一次彻底的调查分析。

5 counselors   

n.顾问( counselor的名词复数 )；律师；（使馆等的）参赞；（协助学生解决问题的）指导老师

参考例句：

• Counselors began an inquiry into industrial needs. 顾问们开始调查工业方面的需要。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• We have experienced counselors available day and night. ) 这里有经验的法律顾问全天候值班。） 来自超越目标英语 第4册