Luísa Soares
Skin cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide and represents a growing challenge in dermatological practice, with implications that extend beyond physical morbidity to include significant psychological and psychosocial burden. Patients diagnosed with melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers frequently experience emotional distress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, body image concerns, and functional impairment, all of which may negatively influence treatment adherence, recovery, and overall quality of life. This narrative review aims to synthesise current evidence on the psychological impact of skin cancer and to highlight the relevance of psycho-oncological approaches within clinical dermatology. A structured literature search was conducted in b-on and Google Scholar, including articles published between 2003 and 2023 that addressed psychological outcomes, quality of life, and psychosocial interventions in skin cancer populations. The reviewed literature identifies key psychosocial risk factors for distress, including younger age, female sex, visible tumour location, maladaptive illness perceptions, and limited social support. Evidence supports the effectiveness of brief, structured psychological interventions—particularly those grounded in cognitive–behavioural therapy—in reducing distress and improving patient-reported outcomes. Based on these findings, a clinically applicable six-session individual psychological intervention is proposed, designed to complement dermatological and oncological care. Integrating psycho-oncological support into routine dermatology practice may enhance holistic patient management, improve quality of life, and optimise clinical outcomes in skin cancer care.