A comprehensive review of European clinical practice guidelines on psychological and cognitive assessment and support for cancer patients and their families

PURPOSE: Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide and, consequently, awareness of the psychological and cognitive challenges faced by patients and their families increases. To address these needs, psycho-oncological Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) and recommendations have been progressively developed. This systematic review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of existing European CPGs and recommendations regarding psychological and cognitive assessment and support for cancer patients and their families. METHODS: A literature search was conducted on PsycINFO, Scopus, and Medline (PubMed interface), supplemented by a secondary search strategy. Only CPGs published in the last 15 years were considered. Data extraction focused on guideline characteristics, target population, symptoms addressed, assessment tools, recommended interventions, and quality appraisal. RESULTS: After the screening phase, 38 publications were included. An increase in the publication of psycho-oncological guidelines emerges across European countries and the rise of a multidisciplinary approach. Most CPGs address adult cancer patients and prioritise distress, anxiety, and depression. Common screening tools are the Distress Thermometer and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Concerning interventions, psychosocial support and counselling are the most recommended forms of support, while digital and family-centred interventions are scarcely mentioned. Looking at the level of evidence and strength of recommendations, heterogeneity was observed across CPGs. CONCLUSION: The rise of CPGs represents an effort to integrate psycho-oncological assistance into cancer care in Europe, but gaps in inclusivity, protocols, and implementation remain. Future guidelines should address underserved groups, enhance methodological quality of the CPGs, and include digital and family-centred interventions to improve equitable access and holistic care.

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Publication Details

Journal
Supportive Care in Cancer
Published
2026-10-14
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-026-11071-5
Primary Topic
Cancer survivorship and care
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

A comprehensive review of European clinical practice guidelines on psychological and cognitive assessment and support for cancer patients and their families

Laura Ciria‐Suarez, Mieke Van Hemelrijck, Lotte van der Weijst, Elisabeth Andritsch et al.
Supportive Care in Cancer
Cancer survivorship and care
article

A comprehensive review of European clinical practice guidelines on psychological and cognitive assessment and support for cancer patients and their families

Laura Ciria‐Suarez, Mieke Van Hemelrijck, Lotte van der Weijst, Elisabeth Andritsch, Birutė Brasiūnienė, Dario Monzani, Isabelle Scholl, Nikolina Dodlek, Marie Lange, Chiara Bovolenta, Ilaria Durosini, Marcel Meyerheim, Clemens Farkas, Mareike Rutenkröger, Francesca Magnoni, Veronica Coppini, Gabriella Pravettoni, Maria Vittoria Ferrari, Andreas Charalambous, Giorgia Mulé, Asia Grigis, Melissa Heifez, Cristian Ochoa Arnedo, Luigi Grassi, Norbert Graf
article en

Abstract

PURPOSE: Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide and, consequently, awareness of the psychological and cognitive challenges faced by patients and their families increases. To address these needs, psycho-oncological Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) and recommendations have been progressively developed. This systematic review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of existing European CPGs and recommendations regarding psychological and cognitive assessment and support for cancer patients and their families. METHODS: A literature search was conducted on PsycINFO, Scopus, and Medline (PubMed interface), supplemented by a secondary search strategy. Only CPGs published in the last 15 years were considered. Data extraction focused on guideline characteristics, target population, symptoms addressed, assessment tools, recommended interventions, and quality appraisal. RESULTS: After the screening phase, 38 publications were included. An increase in the publication of psycho-oncological guidelines emerges across European countries and the rise of a multidisciplinary approach. Most CPGs address adult cancer patients and prioritise distress, anxiety, and depression. Common screening tools are the Distress Thermometer and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Concerning interventions, psychosocial support and counselling are the most recommended forms of support, while digital and family-centred interventions are scarcely mentioned. Looking at the level of evidence and strength of recommendations, heterogeneity was observed across CPGs. CONCLUSION: The rise of CPGs represents an effort to integrate psycho-oncological assistance into cancer care in Europe, but gaps in inclusivity, protocols, and implementation remain. Future guidelines should address underserved groups, enhance methodological quality of the CPGs, and include digital and family-centred interventions to improve equitable access and holistic care.

Supportive Care in CancerVol. 34(11)
European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (NL), Inserm (FR), University of Turku (FI), Cyprus University of Technology (CY), Vilnius University (LT), King's College London (GB), University of Milan (IT), University of Ferrara (IT), Medical University of Graz (AT), Bellvitge University Hospital (ES), Institut d'Investigació Biomédica de Bellvitge (ES), Institut Català d'Oncologia (ES), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (DE), Centre François Baclesse (FR), European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (BE), Klinik für Psychosomatik (DE), Cancers et Préventions (FR), Vilnius University Hospital Santariskiu Klinikos (LT), European Institute of Oncology (IT), Universitat de Barcelona (ES), University of Palermo (IT), Saarland University (DE)
European Commission, European Health and Digital Executive Agency
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 17%
Cancer survivorship and care
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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