Having cancer is suffering enough for the patients and their loved ones. Making this worse is the pandemic, causing them more stress, among other life difficulties.
Mental health issues can range from a person’s personality and professional state to vast aspects such as environment and relationships. Even when they claim that their relationship with their friends and family is good, it doesn’t mean they can’t develop a mental disorder, especially when living with such chronic illness.
Cancer and the Pandemic
Since cancer survivors and patients are top priorities during the pandemic, visits from friends and family can trigger their depression, thinking that they are left out, unsupported, and isolated. Cancer patients have developed mental health issues the most among the population.
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They have been experiencing intense psychological distress, leading them to a reduced chance of recovery and survival.
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As estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO), the pandemic has fallen through mental health services in 93 percent worldwide. Cancer patients’ access to health services and drugs is limited because of COVID-19 patient demands. Also, it is their choice to avoid going to the hospital for treatments because of their fear of virus contamination. Now, this can lead to delay in treatment and the worsening of their illness. Aside from this, high levels of stress and mental suffering can also happen, joining their other problems.
Published on March 4th, 2021, a study showed that about 85 percent of cancer hospitals in the U.S. offered mental health services, 45 percent offered chemical dependency services, and 44 percent offered both. Although psychosocial services are required in accreditation, many hospitals still don’t comply since many cases still prioritize the prevention of substance abuse, suicide, and other mental health disorders.
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) hoped to take advantage of the vaccination to allow cancer treatments just like they used to. The good thing is that cancer patients are now one of the top priorities to be provided vaccination.
When Cancer Cells Come Back
The worst feeling for cancer survivors is when they find out that their cancer is back. This can still happen after many years of seemingly successful treatment. Unfortunately, to this day, scientists still don’t know how it happens.
A study published in December 2020 claims that stress hormones can cause dormant cancer cells-that are still inside the body in which the treatment has left out-to wake up. Although this doesn’t mean that once you’re stressed, your cancer will be back anytime soon. Certain things still need to happen to trigger tumors, and there are many different ways to make it happen. It’s not just about stress.
Some cancer treatments do help in stopping dormant cells from growing, either entirely or very slowly. Standard tests can find them hard to detect since they come in minimal amounts because of treatments. In some cases, this doesn’t cause any issues anymore.
Cancer Patient Safety and Treatment Advancement
According to WHO, one out of ten patients is harmed while receiving hospital healthcare treatments in high-income countries. Among these mistakes are radiation overexposure, diagnostic errors, unsafe surgical and injection practices, and infections from treatment equipment. These are all associated with cancer treatment.
With the declaration of the World Patient Safety Day on September 17, 2019, the current goal of WHO and the Patient Safety and Risk Management is to spread global awareness and engagement regarding this aspect, enhancing public unity and action.
As part of their treatment, 60 percent of cancer patients undergo some surgery. It is usually good, and one of the most common options, especially for an early stage wherein cancer cells haven’t yet spread to other internal body parts. Radiation and chemotherapy are also common cancer treatments. In most cases of chemotherapy, more than one powerful drug is used during one chemotherapy session. And more than half of cancer patients worldwide receive radiation.
This year, cancer research has been progressing more than the past couple of years. Among these are related in cancer screening, diagnosis, palliative care, and different types of cancer. One advancement in cancer treatment is the development of the Proteolysis targeting chimera technology, which pharmacologists and other medical professionals are trying to exploit. This will help in removing unwanted proteins in your body.
Living with cancer can affect your overall well-being.
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Not just patients but also their families and caregivers can develop mental illnesses, like depression and anxiety. The symptoms can hinder cancer treatment and recovery and affect how patients treat themselves. As a result, they lose hope. Still, medical advancements can increase their chance of survival.