Recognise anxiety specifically.
Give anxiety explicit attention alongside other forms of distress, with assessment and support appropriate to the individual.
Cancer anxiety · Research · Care
Onco-Anxiology:
a focus on
cancer anxiety.
Onco-Anxiology is an anxiety-focused, longitudinal framework within psycho-oncology, proposed by Dr. Chirag Jain. It brings focused attention to cancer-related anxiety from diagnosis through treatment, follow-up and survivorship.
Framework proposed byDr. Chirag Jain, MBBSPhysician · Researcher · Founder, Mindful Gurukul
Published as a Perspective in Frontiers in Psychology · September 2026
The person behind the framework
Dr. Chirag Jain
Making cancer-related anxiety a focus of inquiry.
A focus across the journeyDiagnosis. Treatment. Follow-up. Survivorship.
The published perspective
Frontiers in Psychology Psycho-Oncology · 18 September 2026
View original paper ↗Understanding Onco-Anxiology
What is
Onco-Anxiology?
The term Onco-Anxiology, also written as oncoanxiology or onco anxiology, names Dr. Chirag Jain’s proposed framework. It asks how anxiety can receive focused, repeated attention as a person’s cancer experience changes. The published proposal sets out three commitments.
Look across time.
Consider anxiety at different points in the cancer journey, rather than relying on a single assessment or encounter.
Understand the cancer experience.
Attend to cancer-specific concerns and mechanisms, including treatment anticipation, scan-related anxiety and fear of recurrence.
ONE PERSON. A CHANGING CANCER JOURNEY.Illustrative points for ongoing attention
DiagnosisUncertainty and adjustment
Active treatmentAnticipation and treatment experience
Follow-upScans and waiting for results
SurvivorshipFear of recurrence and the future
Cancer-related anxiety
Understanding anxiety
across cancer care.
People looking for information on “onco anxiety” are often looking for help understanding cancer-related anxiety. Concerns can change with diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. These examples explain the context for the framework.
Treatment-related anxiety
Starting treatment, anticipating procedures and living with uncertainty can bring anxiety. Repeated conversations help the care team understand what is worrying the individual.
Scan anxiety, or scanxiety
Worry can build before scans, appointments or test results. Its timing matters: a single assessment between appointments may miss a difficult period.
Fear of cancer recurrence
Concern about cancer returning can continue after treatment. If worry affects sleep, everyday activities or attendance for care, discuss it with the treating team.
Patient information: National Cancer Institute — Adjustment to Cancer: Anxiety and Distress ↗
The place within cancer care
Onco-Anxiology
and psycho-oncology.
Psycho-oncology addresses the psychological, social and behavioural dimensions of cancer. Onco-Anxiology is Dr. Jain’s proposed anxiety-focused framework within that broader field.
The proposal invites research into anxiety-specific assessment over time. Its value needs evaluation; it does not replace psycho-oncology services or establish a new recognised medical specialty.
Start with the evidence
A published proposal.
An open research agenda.
Dr. Jain's Perspective introduces Onco-Anxiology as a testable organising concept within psycho-oncology. It sets out the rationale, limitations and questions for future evaluation.
Physiological measures such as heart rate variability are discussed as an optional research direction.
Perspective article2026
Onco-Anxiology: A Proposal for an Anxiety-Focused, Longitudinal Framework Within Cancer Care
Chirag Jain · Frontiers in Psychology, Volume 17
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1939608
Read the full open-access paper ↗Continue the conversation
Explore the work.
Connect with Dr. Jain.
For the full framework, Dr. Jain's background, publications and professional enquiries, continue to his main website.
The physician & researcher
↗Meet Dr. Chirag Jain
Explore his professional background, research interests, publications and work in cancer-related anxiety.
For clinicians & researchers
↗Explore a research collaboration
Introduce your hospital or research team, describe your area of interest, and discuss potential clinical studies, educational sessions or speaking opportunities.
Questions about Onco-Anxiology
Who proposed Onco-Anxiology?
Dr. Chirag Jain proposed the framework in his September 2026 Perspective in Frontiers in Psychology. The original paper sets out its rationale, relationship to psycho-oncology, limitations and research agenda.
Are oncoanxiology and Onco-Anxiology the same term?
On this website, “oncoanxiology” and “onco anxiology” refer to Onco-Anxiology, the framework proposed by Dr. Chirag Jain. Cancer anxiety is the broader clinical concern the framework addresses.
Does Onco-Anxiology replace psycho-oncology?
No. The framework is proposed within psycho-oncology. It focuses on cancer-related anxiety while recognising the broader role of multidisciplinary psychological and supportive care.
Is Onco-Anxiology an established medical specialty?
It is currently a proposed organising framework within psycho-oncology. The published Perspective offers it as a concept to be examined and evaluated through research, rather than an established medical specialty.
How does Onco-Anxiology relate to Skitii?
Onco-Anxiology is a broader framework for cancer-related anxiety. Skitii is a separate technology developed by Mindful Gurukul, the company founded by Dr. Jain, and is being investigated in this area. The framework does not require the use of Skitii. Explore Skitii ↗
Where can I learn more about the framework?
Visit the Onco-Anxiology section of Dr. Jain's website for more background, and read the original Frontiers in Psychology paper for the proposal's rationale, scope and limitations. Onco-Anxiology on Dr. Jain's website ↗
Connect with Dr. Chirag Jain.
For hospital, research, education and speaking enquiries.