I believe cancer’s emotional scars deserve compassionate healing.
Here’s why. Near the end of my 16 chemo infusions for Stage IIIc infiltrating ductile carcinoma (breast cancer) in 2015, I cycled into depression due to the repetitive nature of treatment. Consumed with fear that I would never feel good again. When I asked my medical oncologist for a referral to a counselor who understood what it was like for a control freak like me to experience something as bewildering as cancer, she said she didn’t know of anyone who specialized in working with cancer patients. Then she said if I did find such a healer, they likely wouldn’t accept my health insurance.
Initially, I was shocked and frustrated by her response, but after some brief research I realized not enough training opportunities were available to educate mental health therapists and the general public about the unique aspects of cancer-related trauma. So, I seed funded and founded a specialty at the University of Denver called the Center for Oncology Psychology Excellence (COPE) and continue to advocate for more attention and resources to be paid to the intersection of mental health and cancer, a field referred to as psychosocial oncology, also known as psycho-oncology.
In essence, psycho-oncology is a cancer specialty that helps patients, survivors, and caregivers address the variety of emotional, psychological, behavioral, and social issues that can accompany a cancer experience. Efforts include taking care of basic needs, improving communication, addressing emotional reactions, and making action plans.
Psychological trauma created by cancer can change an individual’s capacity to reason, sometimes savagely erasing the ability to cope and impacting their body’s ability to heal. A global survey commissioned in 2020 by the Wellcome Trust found that 92 percent of people viewed mental health as being equally important to overall wellbeing as physical health, if not more so.
The most common symptoms of mental health trauma from cancer experiences are distress, depression, and anxiety. Here is a breakdown:
Distress symptoms
Sadness, fear, anger
Helpless, hopeless, not in control
Pulling away from relationships
Worry
Depression symptoms
Emotionally numb
Nervous and shaky
Moody
Difficult to maintain focus
Suicidal thoughts
Problems sleeping
Anxiety symptoms
Uncontrollable worry
Muscle tension
Trembling and shaking
Restlessness
Dry mouth
Irritability
Anger outbursts
In addition, fear that cancer could return (FCR) is a common concern, often aggravated by treatment anniversaries or learning someone close has received a cancer diagnosis. FCR is different from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which causes one to relive past events.
Despite these concerns, there are a variety of mental health resources that may help address the symptoms:
Work with a mental health professional trained in psycho-oncology
Join a support group
Write in a journal
Look into equine therapy
Explore art, music, or theater resources specifically for those impacted by cancer
Increase your physical activity
Schedule “worry sessions”
Perform breathing exercises
Consider digital therapeutics (cognitive behavioral stress management), often available as cancer distress apps
Trauma can be a tough but transformational teacher. Besides focusing on launching COPE, writing became my preferred form of self-therapy during treatment. In addition to authoring books about how my cancer experience was transformational, I blog, speak, and advocate about the importance of patient-centered cancer care.
About the Author
Diane M. Simard
Psycho-oncology Advocate
Author | Motivational Speaker
Podcaster | Patient Advisor
Stage IIIc Breast Cancer Survivor
To learn more, please visit her website at DianeMSimard.com.