Anxiety and depression are signs of poor mental health that have a significant impact on one’s physical well-being. Studies have found that anxiety and depression increase mortality risk in people with cancer.

Although cancer cells are the primary cause of death in cancer patients, mental health disorders like anxiety and depression have a negative effect on the patients’ quality of life and increase the risk of recurrence. This article will explore how anxiety and depression can worsen cancer incidents and increase mortality risk.

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension, worry, and nervousness that can range from mild to severe. Anxiety disorders are mental health disorders that cause excessive worry, panic attacks, and phobias.

Troublesome anxiety can lead to numerous physical symptoms, including headaches, fatigue, digestive problems, and trembling. Anxiety disorders affect a significant number of people worldwide.

What is Depression?

Depression is a mental health disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in activities that used to be enjoyable.

Depression leads to various emotional and physical problems and can decrease the person’s ability to function at work or home. Depression can also lead to suicidal ideation and suicide attempts.

What is Cancer?

Cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells grow uncontrollably and destroy the body’s healthy tissues. There are different types of cancers, including lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer.

Cancer cells typically form a tumor that can invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. Cancer can lead to different symptoms, including unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and pain.

How Are Anxiety and Depression Connected to Cancer?

Studies have shown that anxiety and depression can lead to poorer health outcomes in cancer patients. People with anxiety and depression have a higher risk of developing cancer than people without these disorders.

The increased risk may be due to the negative impact of these mental health disorders on the immune system, making it less effective in fighting cancer cells.

Additionally, anxiety and depression can interfere with the cancer patient’s ability to manage symptoms and adjust to the cancer diagnosis.

Anxiety and depression can affect sleep, appetite, and the ability to stay physically active, leading to a decrease in the cancer patient’s overall quality of life.

How Does Anxiety and Depression Affect Cancer Treatment?

For cancer patients, managing their mental health condition is crucial in the effective treatment of cancer.

Anxiety and depression can lead to the patient avoiding necessary treatment or abandoning treatment altogether, leading to poorer health outcomes.

Moreover, anxiety and depression can lead to a decrease in the patient’s adherence to the treatment plan, affecting the therapy’s success negatively.

Patients with depression and anxiety are more likely to miss appointments, forget to take medication, and neglect self-care, leading to insufficient cancer treatment.

How Does Anxiety and Depression Affect the Risk of Cancer Recurrence and Mortality?

Studies have found that people with anxiety and depression after cancer diagnosis have increased risks of cancer recurrence and mortality.

Anxiety and depression can lead to risky health behavior like smoking, alcohol use, and failure to take medication, leading to cancer recurrence and mortality.

Additionally, anxiety and depression affect the patients’ immune systems, making it less effective in fighting the cancer cells and increasing the mortality risk.

How to Manage Anxiety and Depression in Cancer Patients?

Managing anxiety and depression can lead to better quality of life and positive health outcomes in cancer patients. Here are some tips to manage anxiety and depression in cancer patients:.

Attend cancer support groups to get together with people going through similar therapies.
Seek help from a mental health professional or counselor.
Practice relaxation techniques and mindfulness meditation.
Perform physical activity like aerobics, yoga, or swimming.
Eat a well-balanced diet avoiding foods that can increase anxiety and depression
Maintain social interaction with family and friends to cope up with the stress and difficulties faced by the patients.

Conclusion

Research has shown that anxiety and depression in cancer patients are linked to poorer quality of life, an increased risk of developing cancer, and cancer recurrence and mortality.

Therefore, it is essential to manage the mental health condition of cancer patients simultaneously with their cancer treatment. A combination of professional help, social support, dietary interventions, and physical activities may help manage anxiety and depression in cancer patients, improving their health outcomes.