Psycho-oncology is a rapidly developing interdisciplinary scientific and clinical field which examines the psychological and social challenges caused by oncological diseases and develops evidence-based support models for patients, their relatives, and healthcare professionals. The aim of this article is to present the origins of psycho-oncology, its theoretical foundations, and the main objectives of the field, which include assessing patients’ psychological needs, defining competency requirements for specialists working in oncology departments, integrating psychosocial interventions into cancer care, and advancing scientific psycho-oncology. The article reviews the development of psycho-oncology in Lithuania from the first initiatives of clinical medical psychologists in hospitals to the rapidly growing scientific and academic psycho-oncology and the increasing number of publications, as well as the legally regulated opportunities for cancer patients to receive specialized psychological assistance. The article also explores the psycho-oncology landscape and discusses an increasing number of publications, as well as the legally established opportunities for oncology patients to receive specialized psychological support. The key aspects of psycho-oncology presented in the article may be of interest and benefit to medical psychologists and healthcare professionals working in oncology, while the identified challenges of psycho-oncology in Lithuania may draw the attention of health policy makers.
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