If you or someone you love is fighting cancer, it’s natural to forget everything else to focus on fighting that cancer physically. 

But what about mentally?

When patients, families and caregivers also put a priority on mental well-being, that can provide a much-needed boost to quality of life during cancer treatment. For patients who are battling cancer, mental health care during treatment has even been linked to improved cancer survival.

Prioritizing mental health during cancer treatment

When you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, your emotions are on a rollercoaster. You may feel optimistic one day, then in despair the next — and everything in between. It’s completely normal to go through a wide range of emotions during your cancer care. 

Here are a few ways to help support your mental health if you’re feeling:

• Afraid – One way to help manage fears and worries is to be informed. Get the facts about your cancer diagnosis and treatment from your doctor and other reliable sources. You’ll know what to expect and can feel encouraged about your treatment plan.

• Overwhelmed – Don’t be afraid to ask for help. That could mean help with understanding your treatment, getting to and from your appointments, taking care of your house or pets and more. People don’t always know how to help but are often glad to if you ask them for help with a specific task. Or if you struggle to ask for help, have a friend, family member or even your church or another group you belong to take the lead.

• Anxious – Ask your doctor about talking to a counselor or joining a support group. At home, try these simple things to help reduce anxiety:
• Do activities you enjoy as much as you are able
• Stick to your usual routine but stay flexible
• Spend time in nature
• Keep a daily gratitude or “happy things” journal or be inspired by stories of people with cancer who are living active lives.

• Angry – It’s also normal to be angry. But try to have your anger motivate you instead of taking it out on the people around you. For example, take your anger out on the weeds in your garden or use it to fuel other tasks or exercise. Pour it out into a journal. Or use it to push you to connect with a counselor or support group.

• Lonely – After treatment is over, you can feel lonely — especially if you feel the loss of the support you had while getting cancer care. This is where a support group can continue to help. Also, be honest and reach out to those you care about. Maintain your social network as much as you can, whether by taking a class, going to book club or just calling or texting friends.

Prioritizing mental health as a family member or caregiver

As a family member or caregiver to someone with cancer, the impact on your daily life is huge. Schedules change, and household tasks need to be reassigned. The family may put their needs aside to care for the person with cancer. You may feel completely unprepared and overwhelmed with taking on the role of caregiver.

Many big emotions come with having a family member with cancer. So even as you’re making your family member or loved one a priority, consider your mental health, too.

Here are three helpful tips:

1. Don’t try to do it all. Make a plan together with your loved one to be sure you both are getting the care you need. Look into respite care opportunities, and have several other people lined up who can help in a variety of roles, whether that’s providing meals, handling transportation and/or being active caregivers.

2. Prioritize self-care. Continue to do activities that involve other people, give you a sense of accomplishment and fill your bucket. For example, have lunch with a friend, exercise, spend time alone, listen to a podcast and more.

3. Enjoy time with your loved one. Make a point of making good memories together, so everything’s not just about cancer. Be silly, go on that trip (if you can) and do all the normal family things like making meals together, playing games or watching

• Having constant feelings of sadness, depression or hopelessness
• Experiencing physical symptoms of stress like constant headaches
• Wanting to yell at, ignore or hurt the person you’re caring for
• Being easily angered or crying a lot
• Not taking care of yourself

Know the signs

Hey, we all struggle at times. Just know when to get help — before signs of trouble happen — such as:

• Having constant feelings of sadness, depression or hopelessness
• Experiencing physical symptoms of stress like constant headaches
• Wanting to yell at, ignore or hurt the person you’re caring for
• Being easily angered or crying a lot

Try to think ahead. Even if you don’t think it’s necessary right now, it may be a good idea to go ahead and meet with a counselor or a support group. Remember, during cancer, your mental health is just as important as your physical health.

If you or someone you love is navigating a cancer diagnosis and needs mental health support, you're not alone. The Willowbrooke Cancer Care team is here to provide the care and resources you need. Call us today at 770-812-3266 and take the first step toward prioritizing your mental well-being. We're here to support you every step of the way.