Is cancer merely a physical disease?

Cancer is relentlessly spreading its tentacles worldwide. As wide. we know, the major contributing factors are modifiable (like obesity, lack of exercise, alcohol and smoking). Meanwhile, there are significant advancements in the treatment of cancers, resulting in increased life span and ease of living. While treatment is aimed at the physical ailment, we need to also pay attention to the accompanying mental problems this disease brings.

Therefore, the question that needs to be answered is whether cancer is merely a physical disease, or does it I realm as involve the mental re well? A survey in the US reported that cancer patients rice the risk of have twice developing mental illness compared to non-cancer patients, and that poor mental health is associated with poor survival rates.

The First Three Years Are Critical

It has been observed that the first three years of cancer is a critical time for the development of mental ailments, such as depression and anxiety. This results from two or three major factors.

Which include

• The constant fear of therecurrence of the disease
• Fear of loss of support from caregivers
• Alteration of roles in life

Need For A Positive Mental Attitude

It is a well-known phenomenon that positive thinking patterns lead to better immunity and help fight off infections and ailments. Although it is difficult to measure this objectively, a definite and consistent positive mental attitude would help a cancer patient achieve faster recovery and provide an effective shield against serious side-effects as well as complications.

How To Infuse A Positive Mental Attitude

This brings us to an important question-how does one infuse a positive mental attitude? In the entire treatment, there are three stakeholders: the patient. doctor and the caregiver. All three parties have a specific part to play.

The doctor needs to counsel the patient with empathy and by giving them various medications. The patient, on their part, needs to keep faith in the treatment and needs to instil in their mind a constant positive affirmation that this is a temporary phase and it will pass. Another important role has to be played by the caregiver as well. As caregivers are with patients all the time, they need to constantly infuse confidence and faith in them. Caregivers need to give their patients full emotional support, so that patients do not feel alienated.

Thus, in a nutshell, cancer patients need psychological support in addition to cancer therapies. A holistic approach, comprising medication, counselling and so on, is needed so that a positive mental frame of mind gives medication enough potency to fight off the disease in an efficient manner.

Dr Neeraj Goel, clinical lead and senior consultant, Gastrointestinal, Gl Oncology. Minimal Access, HPB and Bariatric Surgery Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Vasundhara Enclave. Near New Ashok Nagar Metro more information, Station For me call 1800 309 0309

Disclaimer: The veracity of any health claim made in the above article is the responsibility of the concerned doctor hospital.