Mental Health and Cancer: Why It Is Time to Innovate and Integrate—A Call to Action

Fernando, Asanga

doi:10.1016/j.euf.2020.06.025

Cited by 16 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Similar reports of anxiety, depressive symptoms, and psychological distress during the lockdown were gathered from patients with breast cancer, ovarian cancer, thyroid cancer, and lymphoma [ 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ]. The heterogeneity in cancer diagnosis, disease stage, and patient population highlights the unmet psychological needs across the cancer continuum amidst the pandemic [ 40 , 41 ]. Anxiety levels were higher in women [ 20 ], which is consistent with gender being a risk factor for anxiety in patients with cancer in general [ 42 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Psychosocial Impact of COVID-19 on Older Adults with Cancer: A Rapid Review

2022

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Background: Older adults with cancer are amongst the most vulnerable population to be negatively impacted by COVID-19 due to their likelihood of comorbidities and compromised immune status. Considering the longevity of the pandemic, understanding the subjective perceptions and psychosocial concerns of this population may help ameliorate the psychological aftermath. In this review, we systematically analyze the literature surrounding the psychosocial impact and coping strategies among older adults with cancer within the context of COVID-19. Methods: We conducted a rapid review of literature following PRISMA guidelines between January 2020 to August 2021 using (1) MEDLINE, (2) Embase, (3) CINAHL, and (4) PsychINFO and keyword searches for “cancer” and “COVID-19” focused on adults 65 years or older. Results: Of the 6597 articles screened, 10 met the inclusion criteria. Based on the included articles, the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 was reported under four domains, (1) impact of COVID-19 on quality of life (QoL), (2) concerns related to COVID-19, (3) coping with the impact of COVID-19, and (4) recommendations for future care. Results pertaining to perceived quality of life were inconsistent across the included articles. The most common concerns related to: contracting COVID-19, survivorship transitions, and feelings of isolation. Coping strategies reported by older adults included: spiritual care, lived experience, acceptance, and positive reinterpretation. Conclusions: We found many psychosocial impacts of the pandemic on older adults with cancer. The findings from this review can inform interventions related to shared decision-making and tailored patient care in the future.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Psychosocial Impact of COVID-19 on Older Adults with Cancer: A Rapid Review

2022

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“…Using a self-developed COVID-19 questionnaire, Falcone et al found mean COVID-19 concern of 8/12 (interquartile range {IQR} 5-9) in thyroid cancer patients, which was inversely correlated with EORTC-QLQ-C30 emotional functioning scores [41]. Although these studies used a variety of questionnaires (validated or developed by researchers) and included patients with heterogeneous socio-demographic characteristics, different cancer types and disease stages, they further highlight the unmet need for psychological support in cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic and across the disease trajectory [42].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health-Related Quality of Life and Experiences of Sarcoma Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Younger

Smrke

Lidington

et al. 2020

Cancers

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Sarcomas are rare cancers with a spectrum of clinical needs and outcomes. We investigated care experiences and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in sarcoma patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients with appointments during the first two months of the UK lockdown were invited to complete a survey. Questions included views on care modifications, COVID-19 worry and psychosocial impact, and EORTC-QLQ-C30 items. 350 patients completed the survey; median age 58 (16–92) years. Care modifications included telemedicine (74%) and postponement of appointments (34%), scans (34%) or treatment (10%). Most felt the quality of care was not affected (72%), however, social life (87%) and emotional wellbeing (41%) were affected. Worry about COVID-19 infection was moderately high (mean 5.8/10) and significantly related to higher cancer-related worry; associated with lower emotional functioning irrespective of treatment intent. Curative patients (44%) with low resilient coping scores had significantly higher COVID-19 worry. Patients who did not know their treatment intent (22%) had significantly higher COVID-19 worry and insomnia. In summary, care experiences were generally positive; however, cancer-related worry, low resilient coping and uncertainty about treatment intent were associated with COVID-19 worry. These patients may benefit from additional psychological support during the pandemic and beyond.

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“…Diagnosing mental health illness, especially depression, is integral in PCa diagnosis, treatment, and survival. 45 Men with PCa are more likely to experience depressive symptoms than those with any other type of cancer. 46 Depression and anxiety associated with PCa before or after treatment result in lower adherence to treatment, more prolonged hospitalizations, more adverse reactions to treatment, and lower quality of life.…”

Section: Mental Health In Patients With Prostate Cancermentioning

confidence: 99%

Racial Disparities and Mental Health Effects Within Prostate Cancer

Conant

Huynh

Chan

et al. 2022

Health Psychology Research

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Disparities in prostate cancer (PCa) exist at all stages: screening, diagnosis, treatment, outcomes, and mortality. Although there are a multitude of complex biological (e.g., genetics, age at diagnosis, PSA levels, Gleason score) and nonbiological (e.g., socioeconomic status, education level, health literacy) factors that contribute to PCa disparities, nonbiological factors may play a more significant role. One understudied aspect influencing PCa patients is mental health related to the quality of life. Overall, PCa patients report poorer mental health than non-PCa patients and have a higher incidence of depression and anxiety. Racial disparities in mental health, specifically in PCa patients, and how poor mental health impacts overall PCa outcomes require further study.

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Mental Health and Cancer: Why It Is Time to Innovate and Integrate—A Call to Action

Cited by 16 publications

References 11 publications

The Psychosocial Impact of COVID-19 on Older Adults with Cancer: A Rapid Review

The Psychosocial Impact of COVID-19 on Older Adults with Cancer: A Rapid Review

Health-Related Quality of Life and Experiences of Sarcoma Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Racial Disparities and Mental Health Effects Within Prostate Cancer

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