By Lisen Arnheim Dahlström – Head of Research & Development at War On Cancer
When people think about cancer survival, most think of surviving cancer physically. Few take into consideration the fact that surviving cancer also means recovering from the mental and emotional toll that cancer creates. There are so many thoughts, worries and new life circumstances to adjust to – not only for yourself but also for your loved ones.
It is well established that a majority of cancer patients experience mental health issues, such as clinical depression or PTSD. Today, many countries have integrated mental health support as an aspect of cancer care. However, studies still show that the support offered does not extend to all patients nor is sufficient for everybody. When it comes to mental health and wellbeing, one size does not fit all.
Despite numerous studies on the topic, the findings research has uncovered on how patients perceive their mental health and the support offered to improve it does not stay the same over time. Further, the data may differ between groups of cancer patients depending on factors such as where you live, your age, your cancer diagnosis and when you got your diagnosis. That’s why it’s important to keep the data up-to-date with relevant insights and feedback from people who experience cancer all over the world.
To update our – and healthcare’s – knowledge and perception of the topic, our latest health study aims to take the pulse on what is going on right now regarding your mental health during and after cancer.
New health study: Is cancer care addressing your mental health?
War On Cancer’s latest health study, “Is Cancer Addressing Your Mental Health,” wants to highlight the importance of talking about mental health in conjunction with a cancer diagnosis. We also hope to make a contribution to a better, more patient-centric cancer care. This means finding support solutions for each unique person.
This 12-question health study covers whether you’ve received mental health support from your cancer care, and if so, what kind of care you were offered. Was it useful? Did you find other ways to help cope with your cancer diagnosis?
By participating in this 5 minute survey, you can help inform cancer care improve its understanding of the mental health effects of cancer and voice what’s currently being done to mitigate or improve these effects. Every completed survey is an equally important contribution to the work towards improved cancer care. Your experience, regardless of what it is, counts.
The findings of this study will be available to you and healthcare professionals, so that we can contribute to more patient-centric care for everyone who goes through cancer.
Your mental health is important to us.
