The issue of cancer care is commonly known as a complicated process that cannot be explained solely on biological factors. It is necessary to pay the same attention to the emotional, social, and behavioral factors influencing the experiences, as well as the management of cancer. Much of the existing literature has often considered these dimensions separately, primarily focusing on psychological processes. Even though stigma, fear of recurrence, emotional distress, and social support are found to be highly important, they have been understudied in the framework of a single study. Similarly, little consideration has been given to the general health care context and to compassionate design strategies that address the context under which cancer care is provided, which can significantly impact patient outcomes and experiences during treatment. This paper proposes the Psychosocial Cancer Behavior Model, or PsyCaB, as a paradigm towards a deeper comprehension of cancer-related behavior. The model aims to facilitate research on behavior in cancer treatment as well as reinforce the application of behavioral science and psychosocial research results into practice. It is anchored on a wide range of literature on cancer awareness, risk perception, stigma, and psychosocial experiences of patients and students. In the PsyCaB Model, behavior and cancer impact each other by positing them as a dynamic process determined by various influencing factors. These are knowledge and awareness of cancer, perceived personal risk, emotional reactions like fear and distress, social factors like stigma and family and friend support, and system-level factors such as health care institutions, policy, and social norms. It is hypothesized that such factors work synergistically in the long term and account for how cancer prevention, treatment, and care are managed. The inclusion of various actors through the integration of families, health care providers and policymakers gives a broader picture. This approach presents the model as more holistic than most current models, which tend to focus heavily on the patient. The psychological determinants are connected to the social and systemic effects, so a more comprehensive perspective on the behavior in cancer care is offered, which can lead to improved strategies for addressing the psychological needs of patients and enhancing their overall treatment experience. This model is designed to be a guiding principle in future studies, to help shape psychosocial interventions, and to inform cancer prevention, treatment and care policies. The necessity of psychological support integration into medical care is also highlighted, with the better patient outcome and quality of life potentially being facilitated by the integration, as studies have shown that patients receiving psychological support alongside medical treatment experience reduced anxiety and improved adherence to treatment plans.

Cancer care represents a complex challenge that extends far beyond biological considerations alone. Emotional, social, and behavioral elements play equally crucial roles in shaping how patients experience and navigate their cancer journey. However, most research has examined these aspects in isolation, with psychological processes receiving the primary focus. While factors like stigma, fear of cancer returning, emotional distress, and social support networks have proven critically important, few studies have investigated them together within a unified framework. Additionally, researchers have paid limited attention to the broader healthcare environment and compassionate design approaches that could substantially influence patient outcomes and treatment experiences. This research introduces the Psychosocial Cancer Behavior Model (PsyCaB) as a comprehensive framework for understanding cancer-related behaviors more completely. The model seeks to advance behavioral research in cancer treatment while strengthening the translation of behavioral science and psychosocial findings into real-world practice. Its foundation draws from extensive research covering cancer awareness, risk perception, stigma, and the psychosocial experiences of both patients and healthcare learners. The PsyCaB Model conceptualizes the relationship between behavior and cancer as an interactive, dynamic process shaped by multiple interconnected influences. These include cancer knowledge and awareness levels, individual perceptions of personal risk, emotional responses such as fear and distress, social elements including stigma and support from family and friends, and broader system-level components like healthcare institutions, policies, and societal norms. The model suggests these factors work together over time to influence how cancer prevention, treatment, and care unfold. By incorporating multiple stakeholders - including families, healthcare providers, and policymakers - the model provides a more complete understanding than existing approaches, which typically center primarily on the patient. This framework connects psychological factors with social and systemic influences, creating a more thorough view of cancer care behaviors that can inform better strategies for meeting patients' psychological needs and improving their overall treatment journey. The model serves as a foundation for future research, a guide for developing psychosocial interventions, and a resource for informing cancer prevention, treatment, and care policies. It emphasizes the critical need to integrate psychological support into medical care, as research demonstrates that patients who receive psychological support alongside medical treatment show decreased anxiety levels and better adherence to their treatment protocols, potentially leading to improved outcomes and quality of life.