Mental Health Examination of People Affected by Mesothelioma

Mental health is a serious element of overall personal health – for everyone – and it’s now being taken more seriously. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, approximately 26% of adults in the United States have a diagnosable mental health condition.

Psychologists report an uptick in the number of people seeking counseling and help for their mental health, and Statista reports that in 2022 approximately 56 million adults in the United States received treatment or counseling for their mental health.

Mental health has a heightened impact on people struggling with cancer – the depression that often comes after the diagnosis, the anxiety of the unknown near future, and the stress of doctor visits, scans and more. Raising awareness about the impact these conditions can have on people affected by malignancies is crucial.

Acknowledging the link between cancer and mental health disorders, and seeking treatment in the form of counseling or medication, can significantly improve the quality of life for people with cancer.

A new report specifically focuses on the impact mental health can have on people affected by mesothelioma cancer.

 

How Often Does Mesothelioma Cause Mental Health Illnesses?

A report published in the European Journal of Oncology Nursing highlighted the implications of mesothelioma on people’s mental health. The study involved surveys for people diagnosed with the rare cancer along with their caregivers. While the study involved European patients and hospital systems, the results apply to the presence of mental health disorders in U.S. patients.

Studying 96 survey responses from participants (both patients and caregivers), approximately 30% (29 participants) had a clinical level of depression, 50% had anxiety, and 33.33% had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The study revealed higher rates of mental health conditions among caregivers than patients, and some of the main “themes” of what could improve or were challenges included support services and building social connections.

“Healthcare professionals delivering a mesothelioma diagnosis require regular training in communication skills plus updating in current treatment options, so they provide an appropriate mix of realism and hope,” the study authors wrote. “Better signposting to mental health support is needed for patients and carers. Our introduction of posttraumatic growth into the mesothelioma literature is novel. We recommend specialist nurses are trained to recognize, understand, and foster posttraumatic growth.”

 

Which Mental Health Conditions Can Affect Mesothelioma Patients and Caregivers?

The main mental health conditions that affect people with cancer – or their caregivers – are depression, anxiety and PTSD. Depression and anxiety are two of the most common for all people, regardless of if they have cancer.

The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 21 million U.S. adults (8.3% of the adult population) had at least one major depressive episode in 2021. Forbes reports that anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition in the U.S., affecting more than 40 million adults (19% of the adult population), and generalized anxiety disorder accounts for 6 million of the cases.

Depression for people with mesothelioma usually occurs due to the negative impact cancer has on their lives. For instance, their social and professional routine may change, and they often do not feel “normal” or “like they used to” due to the disease.

Depression can also happen due to patients knowing they were exposed to asbestos and that their cancer was preventable. Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma cancer, and exposure to the naturally occurring mineral is due to companies using it for industrial purposes (the making of ships, aircraft, automobiles and buildings).

Anxiety can occur due to fear of the unknown – including a fear of dying from cancer – and uncertainty about whether a treatment will work, or is working, to defeat their tumor and give them as much time to live a healthy and fulfilling life as possible.

PTSD affects cancer patients much more than the average person, especially people who are in remission. PTSD can cause fear and anxiety about the possibility of the disease returning. Someone may experience PTSD before doctor visits or annual scans to ensure the tumors haven’t returned (called “recurrence” of cancer).

 

Mesothelioma Guide Can Help Improve Your Mental Health

If you’ve been affected by cancer, you should take your mental health seriously. Resources for mental health support are available – usually at no charge – and can be an outlet for talking about your depression, anxiety, PTSD or other mental health disorders. Mesothelioma Guide published a blog about 6 tips to improve mental health for people with mesothelioma.

Our team of experts can also help you access free mental health resources to improve your quality of life by treating your mental health in a supportive environment. Contact Mesothelioma Guide’s patient advocate and registered nurse Karen Ritter at karen@mesotheliomaguide.com to access free mental health resources such as support groups and counseling services at cancer centers. She can help you begin your journey to better mental health while you cope with your or a loved one’s mesothelioma diagnosis and battle.