New Delhi, May 1 || Integrating mental health support in cancer care is important and will boost the health of both survivors and caregivers, according to a new study by oncologists at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi.
The study, published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, sheds light on the critical yet under-recognised psychological struggles faced by cancer survivors and their caregivers.
More than affecting physical health, a cancer diagnosis raises fear, uncertainty, anxiety, and depression -- all of which can profoundly affect the quality of life not only for patients but also for caregivers.
“We advocate for integrating mental health care into routine oncology services, expanding access to psycho-oncology, and recognising caregivers' needs,” corresponding author Dr. Abhishek Shankar, Assistant Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, Dr BR Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital at AIIMS, Delhi, told.
The study noted that once the patients undergo treatment, they get introduced to a new set of challenges like managing long-term side effects, adjusting to new physical limitations. They also struggle to reconstruct a sense of identity following a profoundly life-altering experience, which can take a toll on their mental health.