Experiencing a traumatic situation such as breast cancer can, beside negative consequences, have a positive impact, described as post-traumatic growth (PTG). A factor that facilitates psychological recovery when coping with stressful events is psychological resilience. The aim of the present study was to assess whether PTG occurs in a group of women with breast cancer and whether resilience is a personal trait contributing to its occurrence. The study group comprised 100 women with breast cancer, aged 31–80 years, almost half of whom were aged 61–70 years (n = 46, 46%). The Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory, the Impact of Event Scale, and the Resilience Assessment Questionnaire (KOP) were used for the study. All women manifested PTG, with a mean intensity of 76.61 ± 13.45 points. The greatest changes were observed in the subjects’ appreciation of life, and the smallest in their relations with others, self-perception, and spiritual changes. The KOP scale measured a mean resilience of 103.80 ± 16.57. The results obtained confirm the co-occurrence of psychological resilience and PTG, especially personal resilience and social competences. Additionally, women subjected to additional traumatic events other than cancer manifested a higher level of PTG.

Introduction: The diagnosis of a serious illness in a family affects all members. The child is a special subject, as he cannot yet understand many aspects of life at such a high perceptual level as an adult. Communicating difficult information is part of the doctor's task and is one of the most difficult parts of the therapeutic process.  The aim of the study: To analyze the methodology of communicating difficult information to pediatric oncology patients. Material and method: Polish and English-language scientific literature from 2012 - 2022 from databases such as PubMed, SCOPUS, Google Scholar, Web of Science was reviewed. Searches were conducted according to keywords: communicating difficult information, oncology, pediatrics, physician. Results and conclusions: One of the most well-known protocols for communicating difficult information is SPIKES. It describes the basic and necessary steps for properly informing parents and the child about the diagnosis, for example. Healthy siblings should also learn about their brother's illness, but this task falls to the parents. Psycho-oncological support for both the child and parents should be holistic, based on best practices, and tailored to the family's needs.

Introduction: Depression is the leading cause of disability, and incapacity in the world and the most common mental disorder. Year after year, the incidence of this disease entity is increasing, therefore, depression is a serious challenge for modern medicine. Aim of the study: To synthesize the knowledge of depression as a problem in modern medicine. Material and method: A non-systematic review of scientific literature from 2012 - 2022 was carried out, according to the keyword’s depression, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Results and conclusions: Depression is a psychiatric disorder showing varied symptoms lasting more than 2 weeks. Prominent among them are lowered mood, anhedonia, reduced life activities, and others. Diagnosis of depression is difficult, requiring cooperation between the doctor and the patient. Treatment of depression is mainly based on pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy; unconventional treatment is also distinguished.