Interventions
cancer, depression, anxiety
CANCER
The program consists of seven 50-minute sessions conducted over 1–2 weeks, with an average of 5–10 minutes of homework per day. The themes and contents of the program are shown in Table 
Themes and contents of the behavioral activation program• Understand the relationship between emotions and behaviors• Learn tips on how to avoid being preoccupied by cancer in order to regain pleasure and meaning in life• Explore the relationship between emotions and daily activities• Identify patterns of anxiety, depression, and calmness• Clarify life values• Identify activities that are achievable in one’s current situation• Evaluate the usefulness and difficulty of each activity• Discuss ways to participate in challenging activities• Identify situations that are likely to lead to anxiety and depression• Identify thoughts that occur in the early stages of anxiety and depression as well as any vicious cycles that might be involved• Identify pros and cons of negative thinking• Review how the program helped change patterns of daily life• Identify future goals and make plans to achieve them• Review what has been learned through the program• Identify future issues and how to address themThis program was verified in a pilot study that explored the applicability of BA to patients with cancer [All therapists will be clinical psychologists or psychiatrists with clinical experience that includes working with patients with cancer and have sufficient experience conducting BA either during the pre-post study [The individuals responsible for measuring outcomes and assessing patients will differ from those who are responsible for conducting the program. While this program will not impact the patients’ regular treatment in any way, special psychotherapies such as BA (conducted elsewhere) and CBT are prohibited.