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There is an interplay between oncology and mental health, resulting in a high prevalence of mental disorders among cancer patients. Out of the several interventions developed to target cancer specifics, collaborative care is indicated due to its efficacy. The perspective delves into the efficacy of collaborative care models, spotlighting a culturally informed strategy designed to harmonize mental and physical health interventions to bolster the overall wellbeing and resilience of individuals battling cancer. Central to our discussion is a compelling case vignette of Raliat, a patient diagnosed with ovarian cancer whose narrative exemplifies the multifaceted challenges cancer patients face, including stigma, psychological distress, and social isolation. Raliat's story illuminates the profound impact of cultural beliefs on patient experiences and the critical importance of a sensitive, holistic approach to care that respects cultural contexts. Through this lens, our analysis reveals that addressing emotional and situational stressors through collaborative care can significantly reduce oxidative stress, potentially decelerating the progression of both cancer and accompanying mental health disorders. We advocate for integrating mental health services into oncological care, drawing on the case vignette to argue for policies that facilitate such merger by employing validated collaborative care models. We conclude with a call for public education to diminish cancer stigma and improve social outcomes, emphasizing the use of a culture-informed PACER (physical, affective, cognitive, environmental, and relationship) strategy in providing comprehensive care for cancer patients and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundA post election violent conflict in northern Nigeria in April 2011 resulted in 800 deaths and 65,000 displaced people leading to setting up of camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). We set out to determine the prevalence and pattern of psycho-traumatic stressful life events, psychological distress and PTSD among children and adolescents IDPs.MethodsA descriptive cross sectional study of 73 child and adolescent IDPs selected by total sampling. We used the Stressful Life Event checklist to measure conflict-related trauma and Reaction of Adolescents to Traumatic Stress to measure post trauma reaction of children and adolescents. Hopkins Symptoms Checklist 37 for Adolescents measured psychological distress associated with trauma in the participants. Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (C-DISC) used to make a diagnosis of definitive Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). We described the most frequently occurring psycho-traumatic events and psychological distress. We also calculated the prevalence of probable and definitive PTSDResultsOut of 73 respondents, three (4.1%) participants had probable PTSD, and two (2.7%) had definitive PTSD. The mean score of the children/adolescent IDPs on HSCL-37A and RATS were 44.7 (SD = 6.3) and 31.9 (SD = 5.7) respectively. The most frequently occurring psychological distress among female participants was suddenly scared for no reason 7 (19.5%) and, becoming angry easily and feeling fearful 5 (13.9%). The average score and standard deviation of female participants 34.3 (5.2) and 15.1 (3.1) were higher than that for males 29.6 (3.3) and 14.4 (2.2) for depressive and anxiety sub-scale of HSCL-37A respectivelyConclusionWe concluded that children/adolescent IDPs were exposed to psycho-trauma following post election violent conflict and developed psychological distress. However the low prevalence of psychological distress and PTSD suggested that living with parents and psychosocial intervention provided could have led to much lower morbidity.