Therapy Can Improve Mental Health and Quality of Life for People with Cancer

Taking care of your overall well-being is important when you have cancer. This means prioritizing your mental health in addition to your physical wellness. According to a recent study, a specific type of talk therapy can help people with cancer and survivors improve their mental well-being. The study was published in Cancer Medicine.

The study found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) could improve mental health and quality of life for people with cancer. CBT benefitted people who were actively receiving treatment and those who had already completed treatment. It was found to be especially helpful for patients younger than 40.

“We know that people with cancer and survivors are at higher risk for mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. This study highlights the importance of our patients getting the help they need with managing any mental health conditions they may have, including through the use of CBT,” said Fay J. Hlubocky, PhD, MA, FASCO, an American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) expert and clinical health psychologist at the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center.

How does CBT work?

CBT is one type of psychological treatment for people with cancer. It is meant to address unhelpful ways of thinking or behaviors.

The goal of CBT is to target any automatic thoughts or core beliefs that may be harmful to your mental health. Automatic thoughts are the instinctive thoughts you have in response to something. Core beliefs are the strong beliefs you hold, including about yourself. Sometimes, negative automatic thoughts or core beliefs can lead to bigger mental health problems. For example, they can cause anxiety or depression.

During CBT, you talk with a mental health professional trained in this type of therapy. They can help you to reframe unhelpful thoughts or beliefs into ones that better serve you.

“For some patients, negative thinking patterns may be black or white,” said Dr. Hlubocky. “For example, a common belief is, ‘It'll never get better.’ Well, we know that's not necessarily the case. Maybe in that moment, it doesn't feel like it will get better. Therapists who are trained in this modality can actually help you identify these automatic thoughts and core beliefs to help you change them.”

During CBT, your therapist can also help you change behaviors to improve your well-being. For example, they might recommend changing your environment by doing things you enjoy. This can improve your mood to help you cope with a difficult experience you may be having.

“At times, initially, it may be easier to engage in rewarding activities you enjoy to combat negative thoughts,” said Dr. Hlubocky. “Thus, setting goals to intentionally and mindfully participate in daily meaningful activities, such as stress-reducing hobbies or reconnecting socially by going out and meeting with people, may provide benefit. These are the tasks that can help patients now and for the future.”

CBT sessions can take place in different ways. You might meet with your therapist in person. Or, you might talk to them online. There are also options for individual or group CBT. Talk with your doctor about what kind of CBT might be most helpful for you.

Cancer and mental health: The importance of psychological support

Cancer-related mental distress can happen at any time during a person’s cancer experience. Mental distress refers to the impact of feelings and emotions on your mental health. For example, anxiety and depression are common in people with cancer. For some people, these conditions can interfere with daily activities and quality of life.

It can be hard to talk about mental health and distress. If you feel distressed, write down your symptoms and report them to your doctor. You might not even be aware of your distress until it becomes hard to handle. The most important thing is to get help as soon as you notice it.

CBT is one method that can help with managing both the short-term and long-term psychological effects of cancer. However, there are other methods that might be helpful for you. For example, you could benefit from a support group or from taking medication.

If you don’t feel distressed, you should still talk with your doctor about your options for mental health support. It’s much easier and more effective to start managing distress before it gets overwhelming. Some questions to ask your doctor include:

• Am I at higher risk for mental health conditions based on my current health status and past health history?
• Do you think I would benefit from mental health support based on the symptoms I’m experiencing?
• Would type of mental health support do you recommend for me?
• Would CBT be a helpful option for me?
• Can you refer me to a mental health professional?
• What other mental health resources are available to me?

Learn more about cancer and mental health with these resources from the American Cancer Society:

• Coping with Mental Distress
• How Caregivers, Friends, and Family Can Help
• Find a Counselor or Mental Health Provider

Dr. Hlubocky is an Associate Editor on ASCO’s Patient Information Editorial Board.