What can you do to improve mental health during treatment?
- Talk to a therapist. Therapists, especially those who are experienced in working with cancer patients, can be a great resource to help patients process emotions and angst around cancer treatments and uncertain futures. “Talking to a therapist can help patients take control and feel more of a sense of ownership of their lives in the midst of cancer treatment,” said Dr. Gil.
- Stay active. Maintaining regular exercise and movement during cancer treatment is an important strategy for both mental and physical wellbeing. “We know that exercise helps patients. Being physically active and fit helps patients better tolerate treatment and also helps with mental fitness,” said Dr. Gil. Exercise can act as a stress reliever and can lead to better sleep, which can be an issue for many people going through treatment. Find an exercise class designed for people going through cancer treatment.
- Eat healthy. Like exercise, maintaining a healthy diet helps patients feel better physically and mentally. Eating healthy can be hard to do during treatment, but it’s important to eat and drink enough foods and liquids with a variety of nutrients, including proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and water.
- Control pain. For patients with chronic pain during cancer treatment a referral to a pain management specialist can also be helpful. “Chronic pain can cause more stress, depression and sleep issues, so we want to do everything we can to help patients manage pain,” she said. Complimentary therapies like acupuncture and massage help many patients manage pain as well as provide benefits for managing anxiety and improving sleep.
- Manage underlying issues. A cancer diagnosis can be particularly overwhelming for patients who already have underlying issues related to depression and anxiety. “We want to make sure those patients don’t stop taking medications for depression as they focus on their cancer treatment,” said Dr. Gil. “This is going to be a wild ride and it’s not the time to forgo your antidepression meds or care.”
- Take control. Patients with advanced stage cancers will benefit from putting advanced directives in place, assigning power of attorney and talking to family members about their wishes. “Grabbing the reigns can be empowering and having things in order can help manage some of the distress associated with advanced stage disease,” added Dr. Gil.
At Endeavor Health, patients are screened for psychosocial distress factors at the time of their diagnosis. Those who have a significant level of distress are referred for a social work consult, explained Dr. Gil. After meeting with a social worker, patients may be referred for behavioral health services or counseling and/or receive information about other resources in the community.
