Supporting the emotional and psychological wellbeing of patients and families.
Cancer is often measured in scans, treatments and survival rates. But for people living with cancer, the emotional and psychological impact can be just as profound. Anxiety, changes in identity and body image, financial stress and uncertainty about the future all shape the cancer experience.
Psychosocial oncology exists to support the whole person.
The Enbridge Research Chair in Psychosocial Oncology advances compassionate, whole-person cancer care. In this role, Dr. Linda Carlson has helped transform how cancer care supports the mental and emotional wellbeing of patients and families.
When Carlson was appointed to the Chair nearly 20 years ago, emotional distress screening was not standard practice. She began by asking newly diagnosed patients a simple question: How distressed were they feeling, and why? This information was used to make appropriate referrals to counselling or social work support.
Supported by Carlson’s research and leadership, this approach became a global standard of care, helping health systems better recognize and respond to the mental health needs of people facing cancer.
Today, Carlson’s work in integrative oncology explores evidence-based therapies that support mental and physical wellbeing alongside treatment.
Donor support for the Enbridge Research Chair in Psychosocial Oncology continues to advance this work, strengthening compassionate care for patients in Alberta and around the world.
“Patients benefit from this broader perspective because it allows them to be seen as individuals with unique needs and priorities.”
—Dr. Linda Carlson
Carlson’s influence
Dr. Linda Carlson’s research explores integrative therapies such as yoga, mindfulness, tai chi, music therapy and acupuncture to help reduce stress, anxiety and pain during cancer treatment.
Donor generosity also supports student-led research into therapies such as reiki, probiotics and nature therapy, expanding the scientific evidence behind integrative cancer care.
Carlson established the Alberta Complementary Therapy and Integrative Oncology Centre at the Arthur Child, where patients can access complementary therapy programs as part of their cancer journey, and find credible information and resources.
Through collaboration with the American Society of Clinical Oncology, she also helped develop international clinical practice guidelines recommending evidence-based integrative therapies for cancer-related anxiety and depression.
