Counselling of the Prostate Cancer Patient as a Whole Person

ObjectivesThis paper aims to explain the importance of implementing the psycho-neuro-endocrino-immunologic approach in the treatment of patients with prostate cancer.MethodsRelevant articles and literature data were selected and presented during the New Horizons in Urology 2007 meeting in Monte Carlo, Monaco.ResultsViewing the brain and behaviour from an evolutionary perspective, the theory of the triune brain describes the three levels of human experience, including the body, the mind, and the ‘soul’. Furthermore, the scientific acknowledgement of the constant interplay between the physical and emotional systems fed the concept of psycho-neuro-endocrino-immunology. In contrast to conventional medicine, complementary and alternative therapies (most of them originating in traditional medicine) value and use the power of positive psychology on health and disease.ConclusionsBased on this integrated vision of the human being, the conventional vertical patient approach could be transformed into counselling patients as “body–mind whole persons” from a more holistic viewpoint. Therefore, integrative medicine may be the next challenge for tomorrow's clinical practice, aiming to really heal by respecting a patient in all his dimensions and creating positive emotions.