World Cancer Day: Mental Health And Wellness After Diagnosis
- For those experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988
- For those experiencing abuse, please contact the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- For those experiencing substance use, please contact SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357
Being diagnosed with cancer can be a complex experience. Several intense emotions may arise, or you might experience a sense of numbness or dissociation as you process your diagnosis. World Cancer Day is a worldwide event dedicated to supporting those impacted by cancer and their loved ones. This year, consider honoring this event by learning more about the mental health impacts of diagnosis and how to find support. A reachable way to seek mental health support may be through an online therapy platform.
What is World Cancer Day? History and implications
Cancer is a significant global burden and one of the leading causes of death worldwide. World Cancer Day occurs on February 4th each year to raise awareness of cancer of all forms, increase global efforts in cancer screening, and promote preventive measures like practicing sun safety. The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) established the first World Cancer Day in 2000 at the World Cancer Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium. UICC believes that “access to life-saving cancer diagnosis, treatment, and care should be equitable for all—no matter where you live or what your income, ethnicity, or gender is.”
World Cancer Day aims to “promote research, prevent cancer, improve patient services, raise awareness, and mobilize the global community to make progress against cancer.” In many cases, cancer prevention measures and cancer treatment strategies may need to address not only physical risk factors but also psychological ones. As cancer remains such a global challenge, equitable quality healthcare and clinical trials become more important, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
You can take action for regardless of who you are and how cancer might or might not play a role in your life. For those who are impacted by cancer or part of the global cancer community, the WCD website promotes cancer research and offers resources.
Cancer risk and prevention for World Cancer Day
Organizations not only seek to support those affected in finding treatment but also to educate all people on how to potentially reduce cancer risks. Practices such as maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol consumption, and engaging in regular screening tests can make a significant difference in cancer prevention. These strategies are supported by international cancer control efforts, aiming to lower the incidence of developing cancer globally.
The impacts of cancer on mental and physical health
Note that BetterHelp is not a replacement for medical advice. If you have questions about physical health and well-being, consult your primary care physician or another medical doctor for support.
World Cancer Day offers an opportunity to learn more about how cancer impacts different forms of health and where there may be a care gap in cancer care. There are many different types of cancer, including breast cancer, lung cancer, and colorectal cancer. A cancer diagnosis or finding out a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer can cause conflicting emotions. Below are some potential mental and physical health impacts you might experience with cancer.
Mental health
Several studies show that the mental health of cancer patients is often significantly altered after diagnosis. One study found that 39% of patients experienced distress, 34% anxiety, 31% post-traumatic stress, and 20% depression after diagnosis.
Suicide risk* may also be higher in people living with cancer. These impacts can last after remission as well. Some people may have anxiety about the cancer returning or live with a mental illness like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to their experience.
Emotional fluctuations and mood swings can also be common after a cancer diagnosis. You might experience anger, sadness, fear, disgust, apathy, and other emotions. Positive emotions may also come up for some people. No matter what you are feeling, you aren’t alone, and your feelings are valid. For some, talking to a mental health professional may be a helpful way to cope with these emotions.
Physical health
The physical health symptoms and implications of cancer can differ based on the specific type of cancer you have, such as breast cancer, thyroid cancer, colon cancer, or another type. However, common symptoms of cancer can include the following:
Headaches
Inflammation
A reduced immune system
Fever
Pain
Mental and physical health tend to be intrinsically connected, so chronic pain is often a cause of significant mental stress, and this stress can cause new physical symptoms to arise. If you are experiencing new, concerning, or worsening symptoms, consult your primary care doctor or oncologist for support and cancer control strategies throughout your cancer journey.
How to improve mental health after a cancer diagnosis
After being diagnosed with cancer, you might receive a lot of advice from people in your life. Some of this advice might not seem accurate to your situation, and it can be frustrating to hear others tell you what to do. Below are a few suggestions to consider, but you can take what resonates with you.
Find an advocate
Someone who can advocate for you at medical appointments and in your daily life may be beneficial when you’re experiencing stress due to challenges like appointment wait times, the cancer care gap, lack of explanation from healthcare providers, a lack of health equity, and feeling like you don’t have control over your situation. If you’re in palliative care or have regrets regarding early detection or a late diagnosis, it may also be beneficial to have someone around to support you. An advocate can help clients close the care gap often caused by a lack of support.
Your advocate could be a friend, someone you know who has gone through a similar situation, someone in your family, or an official patient advocate. Having them nearby to support you during appointments or in general can offer essential social support, which can be crucial during challenging moments. The International Cancer Control Partnership (ICCP) also offers resources for individuals looking to be engaged in cancer control efforts and close the care gap. You can find resources on the International Cancer Control website for World Cancer Day and beyond.
Practice self-care
Practicing self-care when you’re going through a life-changing experience with global impact can be difficult, regardless of the cancer types you are experiencing in your particular cancer incidence. However, caring for your mental wellness can be as crucial as caring for your physical body. Finding ways to practice self-care that are available to your unique situation may be beneficial. Below are a few ideas:
Adapt your environment to your physical needs, such as bringing comfier sheets to the hospital or having a snack cart near your bed with healthy snacks.
Read books and interact with media that makes you feel good.
Spend time with positive people who lift you up.
Find ways to give back to others living with cancer, such as volunteering or helping a friend with emotional support.
Set healthy boundaries with those in your life who cause stress.
Be honest with yourself and others about your abilities.
Give yourself a break when you need one.
Try not to blame yourself for the lack of empathy others may show you.
Try not to compare yourself to other cancer survivors or people currently living with cancer.
Journal about your experiences.
Join a cancer awareness effort.
Find a cancer support group
Cancer support groups may be a beneficial resource for cancer patients who struggle to find someone who understands what they’re going through. Support groups are often free and may be offered through your local hospital or a cancer center near you. In a support group, you can discuss your experiences and receive empathy, compassion, and guidance from others.
You may also join a support group to sit back and listen or learn from others. Often, these groups are led by a therapist, doctor, or cancer advocate. In some cases, they may be peer-led. You can find cancer support and services through organizations like the American Cancer Society (ACS). In addition to local and national support groups, there is also an international community, including the WHO, Ministries of Health, and the UN, that provides support services for those affected by cancer.
Try the radical acceptance skill for what you cannot change
Radical acceptance is a distress tolerance skill from dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). This skill typically focuses on accepting what you cannot change or what might be unhealthy to change. For example, it might mean learning to accept the reality of living with cancer or having to undergo another surgery. Below are the general steps to practicing radical acceptance:
Identify ways in which you might be fighting or questioning reality.
Remind yourself that, in this situation, your reality cannot be changed.
Try to note any possible causes for the reality. Acknowledge that people may not have control over a cancer diagnosis, but they can control how they respond.
Practice acceptance with your body, mind, and spirit. Tell yourself that you’re willing to accept the situation, although it’s difficult, using positive self-talk.
List the behaviors you might partake in if you had already accepted this situation. Try to act in that way until you find it aligns with your reality.
Think of ways to accept the situation if it worsens in order to cope ahead.
Use mindfulness or meditation to connect with yourself and attend to your body sensations.
Allow disappointment, sadness, grief, or anger to arise. Try not to act on them, but simply note them and give them the space to exist.
Acknowledge that life can be worth living and positive, even when there is pain.
Create a pros and cons list if you continue to resist acceptance.
A therapist can guide you through radical acceptance if you aren’t sure how to start.
Talk to a therapist
A therapist can be a vital resource for individuals living with cancer, terminal illness, chronic pain, and other challenges. Therapy can also be beneficial for those who know someone who has been diagnosed with cancer. Through therapy, you can explore any emotions, thoughts, and behaviors negatively impacting your mental health.
Living with cancer can often come with unexpected costs, challenging symptoms, and a lack of time for appointments. In these cases, it may be helpful to talk to a therapist online through a platform like BetterHelp. Online, you can set appointments outside of standard business hours and choose between phone, video, and live chat sessions at a reduced cost to standard in-person therapy.
Studies show that online therapy can be beneficial for people living with cancer. In one study, online treatment tended to reduce depression and stress in cancer patients and was associated with greater communication with the therapist.
Takeaway
World Cancer Day serves as a reminder of the united effort required to fight cancer and support cancer patients. It brings to light global public affairs regarding the need to promote health equity and ensure that everyone, regardless of where they live, has cancer care and preventive measures. If you have been impacted by a cancer diagnosis, you’re not alone.
You might face a lot of information as you work through this diagnosis, and your mental health may be impacted. To work through mental health challenges, it can be beneficial to practice self-care, set healthy boundaries with others, attend support groups, and practice therapeutic skills like radical acceptance. You might also benefit from contacting a therapist online or in your area for more personalized support.
- Previous Article
- Next Article