Discovering Deep Emotional Turmoil in Cancer Patients: Results from a Recent Survey
In a comprehensive survey conducted by researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, the emotional impact of cancer on patients and their families was brought to the forefront. The survey gathered responses from over a thousand adults across the country, revealing strategies to address the emotional challenges faced by those battling cancer.
The survey highlighted that caregivers often take on a significant burden, supporting their loved ones day and night, managing medical tasks, and ensuring family life runs smoothly. This constant pressure can lead to feelings of guilt, sadness, and burnout, with many caregivers putting their own health last, which can result in bigger problems down the line.
Beyond immediate concerns, the survey named caregiver stress, side effects, family strain, and grief as other top worries. The emotional strain of cancer touches nearly every part of a patient's life and affects the people around them in ways that are often invisible.
Mental health professionals who work closely with cancer patients often see depression and anxiety as common, persisting beyond treatment. To address this, mental health care is being brought directly to cancer doctors to help patients talk about their emotional struggles during regular visits.
The goal is to provide mental health support to patients during their regular visits with cancer doctors, closing the gap between physical and mental care. This model was tested in a pilot program, which was well received and is now being expanded to help more patients, starting with those being treated for head and neck cancer.
The survey findings collectively underscore a holistic support framework integrating emotional, social, spiritual, and practical assistance tailored to both patients and their families throughout the cancer journey.
Key strategies include open communication and presence, professional counseling and therapy, support groups, family and caregiver support, spiritual and faith-based support, community and peer support, educational and wellness programs, and involving loved ones in care.
Encouraging patients to express feelings while supporting them simply by being present—sometimes silence and physical closeness are comforting without needing to solve problems—is one such strategy. Access to licensed mental health professionals helps patients and families process anxiety, depression, grief, and distress related to cancer.
Both in-person and online support groups offer connection with others facing similar struggles, providing shared understanding and reducing feelings of isolation for patients and caregivers. Family members’ emotional and practical support significantly reduces caregiver burden and improves coping.
Many find hope and tranquility through faith-related activities such as prayer, meditation, or counseling by chaplains, which helps address existential questions triggered by cancer. When family support is insufficient, community members, faith groups, and other cancer patients provide valuable emotional and social support.
Initiatives like American Cancer Society’s ACS EMPOWER provide free educational sessions, emotional support activities, creative outlets, physical wellness exercises like yoga, and social connection opportunities to improve patient wellbeing. Including family and friends in the care process improves communication and emotional support for the patient, as well as support for the family members themselves.
The emotional impact of cancer is often overlooked, but surveys like this one show its widespread nature and the need for more support for both patients and caregivers. Other top worries included the type of treatment their loved one would go through and whether that person would be in pain.
Older adults, especially those over 65, focused more on the type of treatment being given and how hard it might be for caregivers. Younger adults between 18 and 29 were more likely to feel grief right away and worry more about body image. Some people may stop treatment early, delay care, or isolate themselves completely due to untreated symptoms like depression and anxiety.
The psychosocial program at a large cancer hospital is expanding to include more mental health workers, recognising the importance of addressing the emotional needs of patients and caregivers alongside their physical health. The hope is that these strategies will provide comprehensive emotional support, open communication, counseling, community connection, and spiritual care, making the cancer journey a little less daunting for all those involved.
- The survey results demonstrated that mental health is a significant concern for both cancer patients and their caregivers, with mental health professionals often witnessing depression and anxiety as common struggles persisting beyond treatment.
- Integrating mental health support into regular appointments with cancer doctors is being emphasized as a key strategy to address the emotional challenges faced by patients, with the goal of providing comprehensive emotional support and reducing feelings of isolation.
