In daily life, most people fear cancer because it remains a formidable challenge in modern medicine. When facing cancer, individuals typically experience phases of fear, doubt, and despair. Such fluctuating emotions and poor mental states can exert a strong negative impact on the disease, potentially worsening the condition.As one physician noted: "Some cancer patients literally scare themselves to death." Negative psychological states can severely impair treatment outcomes and accelerate disease progression. Conversely, effective self-psychological regulation plays a vital role in boosting confidence in fighting cancer and improving quality of life.Psychological factors play a crucial role in cancer. Maintaining a healthy mental state requires practicing psychological hygiene, managing emotions, adopting a positive outlook on life, or altering external environments to avoid negative stimuli. These practices aid in cancer prevention and promote overall health. The diagnosis of cancer—or even the mere suspicion of it—can deliver a profound psychological blow, triggering intense emotional reactions.
Currently, one-third of cancer patients experience various psychological distress, yet fewer than 5% receive professional psychological support. Cancer inflicts trauma on the human spirit and emotions no less severe than its physical toll. While some physicians recognize the importance of psychological support for patients, over 50% remain unaware of the critical role mental health plays in patient care.How to provide better psychological support for cancer patients during and after treatment, thereby maximizing their quality of life, is a critical issue that demands attention.
What are the common psychological changes patients experience? Experts note that typical psychological shifts in cancer patients include: increased dependency and irrational behavior; heightened self-centeredness, believing they deserve constant care and attention; heightened suspicion and sensitivity;abnormal subjective sensations, emotional volatility, anxiety and fear, and dread of loneliness.
Experts recommend that cancer patients actively engage in activities within their capabilities (such as work, exercise, or hobbies); courageously confront reality by seeking insights from cancer survivors' experiences; read books that inspire resilience against illness and adversity to bolster psychological security and confidence in fighting cancer;Maintain a positive mindset, embrace optimism, and practice selective ignorance. Actively seek psychological equilibrium by learning to let go of the past and look forward to the future. Beyond self-regulation and peer support, numerous effective and engaging therapies exist, such as music therapy, massage therapy, humor therapy, and throat-saliva therapy.
In reality, some patients resist opening up, viewing their cancer diagnosis as a death sentence and isolating themselves from others.
For patients showing positive treatment outcomes, timely encouragement is crucial to maintain optimism, commitment to treatment and care, and the resolve to overcome the disease.For patients expressing doubts about treatment, this reflects insufficient confidence in the therapeutic process. Trusted medical staff should explain the disease progression, clarify that modern medical procedures can achieve significant relief or even cure, and assure patients that treatment will not cause severe adverse effects.Mental health is a crucial indicator of overall well-being, intertwined with and mutually influencing physical health. In recent years, growing attention has been directed toward psychological hygiene, with mental health issues receiving heightened focus as people increasingly recognize their significance. For cancer prevention and treatment, maintaining mental health remains a long and arduous journey.