Introduction
The diagnosis and treatment of cancer have various effects on patients and their relatives. Shock and denial are typical reactions just after the diagnosis, commonly followed by depression, anxiety, and wrath. A co-morbid mental health issue affects about one-third of cancer patients, necessitating professional assistance. Financial and social challenges brought on by being unable to work or provide medical care are frequently ignored. A cancer diagnosis changes the individuals thinking and affects their roles at work, school, and home. Thus, it is critical to detect these psychological changes and seek assistance.
What Is Psychological Stress?
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Psychological stress is due to mental, physical, or emotional pressure.
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Although sharing some psychological stress on occasion is acceptable, persons who encounter excessive amounts of it or do so repeatedly over an extended period run the risk of developing mental and physical health issues.
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Daily obligations and commonplace occurrences can contribute to stress, as can more unexpected circumstances like trauma or illness in oneself or a close relative.
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People experience discomfort when they believe they are powerless to control changes brought on by disease or by everyday activities.
What Happens When the Body Is Under Stress?
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Epinephrine and norepinephrine are the stress hormones released in the body in response to physical, mental, or emotional pressure.
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These hormones boost blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar levels.
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These adjustments enable a person to react with more force and quickness to flee a perceived threat.
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According to research, those who endure acute and prolonged stress may experience digestive, reproductive, urinary, and immune system weaknesses.
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Chronic stress also increases the risk of viral illnesses like the flu and the common cold, as well as headaches, sleep issues, depression, and anxiety.
Can Mental Stress Lead to Cancer?
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Although stress can lead to various physical health issues, there is insufficient proof that it can cause cancer.
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Although there might be a correlation between some psychological traits and an increased risk of cancer, there is not enough evidence to support it.
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Evident connections between mental stress and cancer may develop in several ways.
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Stress-related habits, such as smoking, binge eating, or drinking alcohol, might raise a person's risk of developing cancer.
The discovery that a family member has a higher risk of developing cancer due to a shared hereditary risk factor may also cause stress.
What Impact Does Psychological Stress Have on Cancer Patients?
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Cancer patients may experience stress from the disease's physical, mental, and social impacts.
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After undergoing cancer treatment, those who choose dangerous coping mechanisms like smoking, consuming alcohol, or becoming more sedentary may experience a lower quality of life.
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Contrarily, those who can apply efficient coping mechanisms to deal with stress, such as relaxation and stress management techniques, have fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms and symptoms associated with cancer and its treatment.
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There is no proof that effective psychological stress management increases cancer survival.
How Does Psychological Stress Affect Cancer Patients?
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According to research, psychological stress impacts a tumor's capacity to grow and spread.
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For instance, several studies have demonstrated that stress-inducing settings, such as isolation from others or avoiding socializing, make the tumor grow and spread.
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The stress hormone (norepinephrine) raises cancer risk by promoting metastasis.
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Patients with triple-negative breast cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy use beta blockers which interfere with several stress hormones.
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However, women who did not use beta blockers were more likely to complete their cancer therapy without experiencing a relapse.
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Certain studies indicate that a person may experience a sense of hopelessness or helplessness when stress becomes unbearably high.
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Even though it is unknown what causes this reaction, increased death rates are linked.
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Due to this, stress prevents people from seeking medical attention when sick, stopping therapy early or as prescribed, participating in dangerous activities like drug use, or neglecting to lead healthy lives, all of which contribute to early mortality.
How Can Psychological Stress Be Managed in Cancer Patients?
Distress is now more widely acknowledged as a component that might lower cancer patients' quality of life. However, patients can learn to manage psychological stress with emotional and social support. Clinical guidelines assess patient distress levels and provide management assistance. Such assistance can reduce anxiety and symptoms associated with their illness and medical treatments. Some strategies include the following:
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Stress management training.
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Meditation and relaxation.
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Counseling sessions.
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Cancer informational events or groups.
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Social assistance through group environment.
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Medications for anxiety or depression.
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Exercise.
Is There Any Positive Impact Due to Cancer?
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Cancer is an unpleasant disease; however, some research has indicated that despite cancer being challenging, there are certain benefits experienced by the patients.
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Traumatic events can help to grow emotionally.
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Such posttraumatic growth is described as a beneficial psychological transformation by overcoming harsh conditions in one's life.
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People believed they did not go back to life as usual after crises; instead, they had developed, matured, and been enriched.
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Five dimensions of posttraumatic growth can be seen as positive changes:
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A more excellent grasp of strength.
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A shift in priorities.
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A deeper enjoyment of life.
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Awareness of new opportunities in life.
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Warmer and more intimate interactions with others.
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How Does the Positive Change Manifest After Cancer?
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Numerous variables influence how posttraumatic change manifests in individuals.
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Minimal alcohol intake, low levels of pessimism and despair, high levels of extraversion, leading an active life, and obtaining therapy are just a few of the many enabling characteristics noted.
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The research found that receiving art therapy in an outpatient environment once a week does not promote posttraumatic growth.
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This result stems from the cynicism of positive psychology in general and the idea of growth amid adversity and severe sickness.
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However, only a few studies have examined whether psychosocial therapies can promote posttraumatic growth in the aftermath, and there is little evidence, particularly in cancer patients.
Conclusion
Healthcare professionals can use various screening tools, such as a distress scale or questionnaire, to help cancer patients with their emotions. Early in their treatment, all cancer patients should have a distress screening and repeat it at critical points throughout their care. Clinical health psychologists, social workers, and psychiatrists aid when a patient shows moderate to severe distress.