73. Treating the Whole Patient, Not Just the Cancer

When someone is diagnosed with a brain tumor, their world can shift overnight, bringing challenges that reach far beyond the medical diagnosis. A tumor is, first and foremost and most obviously, a health challenge. Like any serious illness, however, it also taxes people mentally and psychologically. Patients and their families have to navigate a complex medical system, take in new and challenging information, and make large, potentially life-changing decisions. Because of this stressful environment, Pacific Neuroscience Institute’s Dr. Shanthi Gowrinathan, a psychiatrist who specializes in treating people with cancer, is part of a team that helps people cope with the mental aspects of their illness. In today’s episode, Dr. Gowrinathan explains how she helps patients and their families maintain their sense of self in the face of tremendous challenges.