Mental Health and Cancer Treatments 2023
Cancer patients often experience depression and anxiety. Cancer raises the likelihood of numerous mental problems. This elevated risk can affect quality of life, survival, cancer therapy, and recovery.
Thus, after a cancer diagnosis, mental patients may be more vulnerable to death.
Signs and Symptoms
Cancer patients’ mental health needs, whether they have psychiatric disorders, non-psychiatric conditions, or other medical conditions, are often overlooked when tracking physical health symptoms and side effects before and after treatment.
Thus, Dr. Kanury Rao, Co-founder and CSO of PredOmix advises that holistic cancer care must consider the influence of mental health on a patient’s health.
Mental Health During Cancer Treatment
- The patient’s mental health is vital throughout cancer therapy. Thus, healthcare practitioners must notice the relationship between mental health and cancer therapies and manage both. Screening for mental health disorders, offering mental health services, and encouraging self-care are examples.
- Cancer care should include mental health screening. Mental health screening techniques can detect at-risk people. Mental health professionals treat at-risk patients. Counseling and therapy can assist cancer patients manage their emotional health.
- Cancer patients need emotional support to cope with diagnostic and treatment stress. Therapy, counseling, or support groups may help.
- Cancer treatments can improve mental health with self-care. Meditation and yoga can be promoted. Exercise improves physical and mental wellness. Providers can help patients create self-care strategies.
Conclusion
Cancer treatment seldom considers mental wellbeing. Due to its physical and psychological impacts, the patient may feel tension, worry, and despair. To offer holistic care and improve treatment results, cancer patients must address mental health concerns. But the relationship is unavoidable.
