We represent several folks and families of decedents who have been affected by delays in diagnosing cancer. One common element from each case is that cancer treatment takes a significant psychologic toll. The surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and the side effects of each are exhausting, painful, and difficult. Not surprisingly, the severity of each correlate with the likelihood a patient will develop a mental health condition. Add that late stage cancer patients are facing shortened life expectancy, and some five year survival rates will make anyone blanche. Evolving research demonstrates that mental health of cancer patients deserves a closer look.
If providers are treating the whole patient, a necessary component seems to be that of the patient’s mental health. A pair of recent studies highlights the precisely this need for increased emphasis on the mental well being of cancer patients. The grim reality is that suicide affects cancer patients and their loved ones at a significant rate. The suicide rate for cancer patients is eighty five percent higher than that of the general population. It should be no surprise to learn that the rate is highest among patients with cancer with worse prognoses. The rate of suicide is also higher in the US than in Europe. Research suggests this is related to the high cost of care.
“Cancer is an expensive disease,” said one doctor, “and you could argue that folks with severe mental disorders either don’t have access to care or are in a health care system that doesn’t have the resources they need.”
Current cancer treatment guidelines already suggest screening for depression as part of cancer care; this research suggests that patients should be screened for suicide and other self harm factors.
This is a part of a larger effort of recognizing and adequately treating peoples mental health. A lot has been written about the impact of the pandemic on our mental health for example. And while medicine looks to better treat mental health, cancer patients are in need of attention.
It makes sense to recognize and refine treatment guidelines for cancer patients’ mental health.
