Emotional Burden of Cancer Unveiled in Recent Survey
Cancer is more than just a physical battle. The emotional strain of the disease can be invisible, yet it affects people in profound ways. A pilot program aimed at addressing this issue has been well received and is now being expanded to help more patients, starting with those being treated for head and neck cancer.
The survey conducted by researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center gathered responses from over a thousand adults across the country. The results showed that emotional struggles are common among cancer patients and their families. Some people may stop treatment early, delay care, or isolate themselves completely due to untreated symptoms like depression and anxiety.
Beyond immediate concerns, people named things like caregiver stress, side effects, family strain, and grief as issues. Life expectancy ranked highest on the list of concerns for most people in the survey. Other top worries included the type of treatment their loved one would go through and whether that person would be in pain.
Mental health professionals working with cancer patients often see depression and anxiety as common, and these feelings can linger long after treatment. The emotional impact of cancer is often overlooked, but it is crucial to address it to improve the overall well-being of patients and their families.
The goal is to provide mental health support to patients during their regular visits with cancer doctors. This model makes it easier for patients to ask for help when they are going through daily treatments or facing serious decisions. Doctors have noticed that caregivers take on a lot of pressure, often supporting their loved one day and night, handling medical tasks, and keeping family life running smoothly. The constant worry and exhaustion experienced by caregivers can take a heavy toll.
The hope is to close the gap between physical and mental care by providing support in the same space where patients are already meeting with their cancer doctors. Younger adults between 18 and 29 were more likely to feel grief right away in response to a cancer diagnosis in the family. On the other hand, older adults, especially those over 65, focused more on the type of treatment being given and how hard it might be for caregivers.
Comprehensive emotional support for cancer patients and families encompasses professional mental health care, peer and group support, spiritual care, practical assistance, and personalized stress management. Most cancer centers and organizations offer these multi-faceted resources both in-person and remotely to accommodate different needs.
The Psychosocial Oncology Programs provide mental health care from psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, and advanced practice nurses to help patients and families cope with emotional, social, and psychological challenges. Support Groups and Peer Support offer online and in-person support groups for patients, caregivers, and families, including specialized groups for different age groups and cancer types. Helplines and Community Counseling help patients and caregivers find local support services and counseling.
Survivorship and Emotional Well-being Support includes chaplain care for spiritual and emotional support, clinical social workers for counseling, and nurse navigators who offer education, coordination, advocacy, and emotional support from diagnosis through survivorship. Financial and Practical Assistance address insurance, payment options, and medication costs, while Stress Management Guidance offers personalized stress relief strategies.
As cancer brings emotional challenges that affect nearly every part of a patient's life and the people around them, it is essential to have resources and support in place to help them navigate through this difficult journey. The psychosocial program at a large cancer hospital is expanding to include more mental health workers, aiming to provide the necessary help to those who need it most.
- The emotional impact of cancer is often overlooked, but it is crucial to address mental health in health-and-wellness to improve the overall well-being of patients and their families, as shown in the Psychosocial Oncology Programs that provide mental health care and support groups.
- In the survey, emotional struggles like depression and anxiety were common among cancer patients and families, and some might delay care or isolate due to untreated symptoms, highlighting the importance of incorporating fitness-and-exercise and mental-health resources in cancer treatments and health-and-wellness programs.
- The hope is to close the gap between physical and mental care by providing support in the same space where patients are already meeting with their cancer doctors, ensuring that cancer patients and families receive comprehensive emotional support in their battle against medical-conditions like cancer.
