Psychosomatic and Psycho-Oncology Research Unit (URPP)

Faculty of Psychological and Educational Sciences | Research center in clinical psychology, psychopathology and psychosomatic

(Code: ULB621)

Person in charge of the unit : MERCKAERT Isabelle.

The Psychosomatic and Psycho-Oncology Research Unit (URPP) was created in 2000 by Darius Razavi. Isabelle Merckaert has been the head of the unit since 1
October 2019.
The research activities of the Unit focus on the study of psychological factors associated with the prevention, screening, treatment and
palliation of medical conditions in general and cancer conditions in particular. Psycho-oncology is a recognized speciality of oncology. It addresses two areas
in the fight against cancer. It focuses on (1) the emotional and behavioral responses of patients and their relatives throughout the disease and its
treatment as well as those of caregivers (psychosocial axis) and (2) the psychological, social and behavioral factors that may influence cancer-related
morbidity and mortality (psychobiological axis). Modern psycho-oncology covers a wide range of topics such as: support for the diagnosis; management of
psychological morbidity and distress throughout the cancer care pathway from diagnosis to survivorship and, for some patients, to the terminal phase; recognition that
behavior and lifestyle contribute to cancer risk and prognosis; and the need to include families and cargivers alongside patients in a comprehensive model
of supportive cancer care.
Since its creation, the URPP has maintained close links with the Psycho-Oncology Clinic of the Jules Bordet Institute and the
Psycho-Oncology Centre (Research and Training Centre). These strong collaborations are the basis of an internationally recognized expertise in
translational research in psycho-oncology. Such research ensures a continuum between exploratory and clinical research. Discoveries in exploratory research stimulate
therapeutic and/or methodological innovations and clinical observations enrich exploratory research.

Campus :	Campus du Solbosch
Location :	Solbosch, Bât D, niveau 10, DB10.153
Address :	CP191 - Avenue F.D. Roosevelt, 50 - 1050 Bruxelles
Phone number :	+32-2-650.35.58
Fax :	+32-2-650.22.09
E-mail :	sarah.verleyen@ulb.be
Web site :	http://www.psycho-oncologie.be

Disciplines CRef :

• Clinical psychology

• Health psychology

• Interpersonal communication

• Medical psychology

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