When you receive a cancer diagnosis, the main thing on your mind is often your body. You may be thinking about symptoms you’ve been experiencing or how cancer treatment will impact your physical health. But cancer can affect your mental health, too.
If you or a loved one has received a cancer diagnosis, you can be faced with a range of emotions that hit you all at once. Confusion, worry, fear, loneliness — the list goes on and on. You may be surprised by your emotions or how quickly it seems like you switch between them.
Following a cancer diagnosis, people commonly experience a change in mental health, with 1 in 4 experiencing depression and many others experiencing anxiety.
One of the first steps to addressing your mental health following a cancer diagnosis — and throughout your entire cancer journey — is to recognize changes in your emotions and getting help when you need it.
Coping Strategies for Cancer and Mental Health
In the days leading up to chemotherapy or any other cancer treatment, you might notice that you feel more anxious. Or that after cancer treatment, you feel angry or lonely. Or that seeing certain family members tends to stress you out.
These feelings are okay, and it’s easier to address them head-on when you know what causes them. Some coping strategies for these emotions include:
- Sadness or loneliness: Reach out to your support network or even a support group. Just scheduling a coffee date with a friend after an appointment can give you something to look forward to.
- Anger or frustration: Don't keep your anger inside of you. Whether you talk to a friend or even journal what you’re feeling, getting your frustrations out of your head can prevent you from taking them out on other people.
- Anxiety or stress: Try different strategies to reduce stress like meditation, yoga, or other self-care. A bubble bath or time set aside to read your favorite book are great ways to relax.
During your check-ins with your cancer team, your physical health is often the main focus and you may find you don’t have a ton of time to talk about your mental health. Consider adding a therapist, psychologist or social worker to your care team for counseling, education or spiritual support.
Beyond Anxiety and Depression
Mental health goes deeper than just being diagnosed with anxiety or depression. If you think those are the main ways mental health challenges can show up, you may feel lost when other emotions come into play.
Chemo Brain
Chemo brain is a common side effect you may experience after a chemotherapy treatment. It can include symptoms like trouble concentrating, memory loss, and a hard time focusing. It can make day-to-day tasks harder and can leave you feeling frustrated or anxious.
To help you stay on top of chemo brain, it can be helpful to start a detailed planner (even when you’re not having treatments) as well as sticking to a routine. If your chemo brain is getting in the way of your daily life, talk to your provider about managing your symptoms.
Body Image
A cancer diagnosis, as well as cancer treatments, can have a big impact on your body image. Throughout your cancer journey, you may experience side effects like hair loss, weight loss or gain, or changes in your skin — and these can make you feel less confident.
It's okay to feel sad about the way your body is changing, but there are also small steps you can take to help build up your confidence. If you're able, small amounts of exercise can get you moving and feeling more in control.
Sexual Intimacy
You might experience changes in your sex drive or even in your sexual organs themselves depending on the kind of cancer you have. Anxieties about your body image might also leave you worried about sexual intimacy.
Talk openly with your partner about how you’re feeling — it can help take some of the pressure off. You may need to think about other ways you can show each other love and intimacy. It's also important to share your concerns with your cancer care team. Some sexual challenges can be addressed but only if you’re open and honest about them.
Mental Health Support for Cancer Patients
Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, and it can feel like you’re just trying to keep your head above water. In the time following your diagnosis, it can be good to take a step back and review the resources that are available to you.
Chester County Hospital offers a wide variety of support groups to provide personal counseling and emotional support in dealing with illness and its physical and emotional effects. One-on-one counseling can also be helpful if your feelings are keeping you from doing your normal activities.
"Education can also be a powerful resource," says Cynthia Brown BSN, RN, CN-BN, Breast Cancer Oncology Nurse Navigator at Chester County Hospital. "Knowledge is power, and when you are more aware of the physical and mental symptoms you can experience throughout your cancer treatment, you can feel more confident in your ability to manage them — and be less afraid of the unknown."
Resources like The National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society provide information that can help patients learn about their disease and cope with the emotional effects of cancer.
Resources for Loved Ones and Caregivers
When someone is diagnosed with cancer, it doesn't only have an impact on the person who received the diagnosis. The effects of a diagnosis can ripple throughout a family, friend group, and even a community.
"If someone in your life has been diagnosed with cancer, it’s okay to take time to process your feelings as well. Those emotions are still important — even if the diagnosis isn’t your own. You may be worried for your loved one or angry about the disease," says Cynthia. "And if you are going to be providing care for this person, you may experience feelings of stress or burnout."
There are resources and support available to you if a loved one has been diagnosed and taking time for yourself can help you be there for your loved one as well. You may look into one-on-one therapy or consider joining a support group. Chester County Hospital offers a Friends and Family Support Group, which meets twice a month and is for anyone who is caring for a loved one with a cancer diagnosis.
Focus on the Positive Moments
Not all emotions you feel during your cancer journey are going to be negative. There will be moments of joy, calm and gratitude. You might learn something new about yourself or grow closer to those around you.
It's good to try to focus on what you can control — even if it has nothing to do with your health or cancer journey. From starting a daily planner to making small changes to your lifestyle, it can be helpful to make time for other aspects of your life.
Your mental health and well-being are important, so be sure to make time for yourself. While negative emotions can feel strong, take time to enjoy even the smallest moments of happiness. You may be surprised at how many there are when you acknowledge them.
Are You Interested in Learning More About our Support Groups?
Chester County Hospital offers support groups and programs to help patients deal with the often overwhelming emotional effects of cancer. CLICK HERE or call 610-738-2300 to learn more.