Cancer emotions, stress often ignored

BOSTON, Sept. 10 (UPI) -- Mental illness and emotional distress in patients with advanced cancer are often overlooked by U.S. oncologists but can be managed, a study said.

Dr. Michael Miovic and Dr. Susan Block of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston review the published literature of psychiatric illnesses in cancer patients and found that 50 percent or more of patients with advanced or terminal cancer suffer from at least one of three major psychiatric disorders: adjustment disorders, anxiety disorders and depressive disorders.

These disorders have distinct symptoms that oncologists can screen for and manage through medications or referral to mental health professionals and/or support groups, suggest the researchers.

Though medical management of cancer has significantly improved in the last decade, integrating the management of related mental health issues has lagged.

The most important screening tool for the oncologist is communication -- the patient needs a chance to be heard and understood, explore fears and concerns, mourn losses, articulate hopes and final wishes -- concluded the study published in the journal Cancer.