Psychological and psychiatric issues in patients diagnosed with cancer: A review study

Abstract

Getting diagnosed with cancer can be a tremendous stressor; it can even be recognized as an emotional trauma that can lead to several mental health problems and dysfunction in many aspects of one’s life. Recent studies demonstrated that mental health issues can affect the quality of life, compliance with cancer treatment, medication efficacy, mortality rate costs of health services, and economic loss of cancer patients. In this review study, we gathered the literature by searching the databases, including Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed. Google Scholar search engine was also used to make an extensive search strategy. We chose articles based on reporting the prevalence rate of mental health problems and the psychological and psychiatric problems that can influence the treatment of patients with cancer. The literature review showed that one-third of all cancer patients suffer from psychiatric disorders and psychological dysfunctions, and the most common mental disorders that can be comorbid with cancer are depression spectrum and anxiety disorders.