IPOS Early Career Professionals in Psycho-Oncology (ECPP) Committee

Vijay C
India

Vijay C is a Psycho-Oncologist with the Department of Pain and Palliative Medicine at Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru, India. Clinically trained through a Diploma in Narrative Practices, an M.Phil in Psycho-Oncology from the Cancer Institute (WIA), and a Certificate Course in Counselling Skills in Cancer and Palliative Care (CCPC), he works across the cancer continuum and other serious or life-limiting conditions.

His work focuses on supporting patients and caregivers through distress, fear of recurrence, body image and identity concerns, survivorship issues, and end-of-life transitions using an eclectic, person-centered therapeutic approach. His research explores psychosocial aspects of genitourinary cancers, with particular focus on quality of life and sexual well-being among penile cancer survivors.

Vijay is also part of the Pediatric Psycho-Oncology Special Interest Group under the Indian Childhood Cancer Initiative (ICCI), contributing to India’s first national psychosocial care guidelines for children with cancer. As a member of the IPOS Early Career Professionals Committee, he is committed to strengthening early-career collaboration and advancing equitable, interdisciplinary psycho-oncology practice globally.

Outside work, he enjoys poetry, nature walks, and discovering new coffee spots.

Sarah Janke
Italy

I'm a sex-positive sexuality educator specialising in adult and lifelong sex education. With a Master's in Clinical Psychosexology, I focus on the impact of cancer on sexual wellbeing. I am interested in understanding the impact cancer has on the sexual and relational quality of life and how this transfers into other aspects of wellbeing and survivorship. My goals are to empower individuals and couples to embrace their sexuality enthusiastically with accurate information to guide them into safe and satisfying intimacy, no matter what challenges they may face. My favourite form of self-care is connecting with myself during yoga. 

Foluke Sarimiye
Nigeria

Dr Foluke Sarimiye is a clinical lecturer of Radiation/Clinical oncology, a Community Oncologist and Psycho-Oncologist at the University of Ibadan and University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. She is an ardent practitioner and researcher with experience and keen interest in cancer control, prevention, cancer health disparities and psychosocial issues associated with cancer, from diagnosis to survivorship or end of life.Her research highlights the importance of reducing cancer health disparities,community cancer control programs, incorporating psychosocial care in the holistic management of cancer patients, their family caregivers as well as the oncology team.She co-coordinates undergraduate medical students training, post graduate training in psycho oncology and radiation oncology residency training at the Department of Radiation Oncology University of Ibadan/University College Hospital Ibadan  She is the Executive Director and Co-founder of Patela Care Foundation (PCF). PCF is established to provide psychosocial support for two vulnerable yet resilient populations; individuals and families dealing with cancer diagnosis, and Persons of Concern particularly, Internally Displaced Persons. She serves as an executive council member of some associations such the Psycho Oncology Society of Nigeria, (POSON). She is recipient of several awards such as the 2024 Prestigious OncoDaily Yvonne Award in Community Oncology; Research grant award winner for Pilot Project on Implementation and Dissemination Science, African Behavioral Research Center, and National Cancer Institute (NCI); ERASMUS+ Education and Training Grant for Non-Communicable Diseases in Africa. Her passion and pursuit are to serve and positively impact humanity, acquire knowledge, add to existing knowledge through research and pass on the baton of knowledge, skills and values she has acquired to younger colleagues.Her favourite self-care activities are reading, listening to music, humanitarian services,learning about ‘art/culture/poetry/maxims/history’,travelling, tourism and interior designing.

Tatiana Myagkova
Brazil

I am a Clinical Psychologist (MSc) with training in Psycho-Oncology and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT). My professional focus is on providing psychosocial support to people affected by cancer and their caregivers, with particular attention to compassion-based practices in oncology care.

My most recent research was my Master’s study on dyadic coping with stress in couples facing a cancer diagnosis. I am also particularly interested in access to psychological care in oncology and reducing inequalities in psychosocial support for patients and their caregivers. I obtained my Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology in Russia and currently live in Brazil, where I am beginning to actively integrate into the national psycho-oncology community.

Outside of work, you will most likely find me outdoors — enjoying cycling, skiing, snowboarding, or strength training.