Becker's Healthcare December 2, 2024
Studies show at least 30% of cancer patients struggle with depression and other mental health conditions, though they often go undiagnosed.
NBC News explored the prevalence and consequences of this treatment gap in a Nov. 29 report.
Five highlights from the repot:
- Depression, anxiety and other psychiatric conditions are common among cancer patients, but they are often undiagnosed due to mental health historically being deprioritized among healthcare organizations. Hesitancy among oncologists to delve into cancer patients’ mental health is another factor at play, experts told the news outlet.
- The direct effects of cancer and treatment side effects, such as uncontrolled pain, changes in one’s body or having to quit hobbies, can exacerbate existing mental health conditions...