BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION FOR CANCER-TREATMENT SIDE-EFFECTS

This discussion reviews the current status of behavioral intervention with adult and pediatric cancer patients. It begins by describing the recent entry of behavioral research and practice into comprehensive ca ncer treatment. The discussion then examines the use of behavioral pro cedures to control aversive side effects of treatment. Although the co ntrol of chemotherapy side effects is the primary focus (most of the b ehavioral research on symptom control has dealt with reduction of naus ea and vomiting with chemotherapy), the application of behavioral prin ciples to other side effects (i.e., anxiety and pain) associated with the aggressive treatment of cancer is assessed. The third topic is beh avioral intervention to control child distress during invasive procedu res. The discussion ends with a consideration of new directions of res earch acid practice.