The Psychological Impact of Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Abstract

A cancer diagnosis is widely recognised as one of the most profoundly life-altering and emotionally distressing experiences an individual may encounter. Beyond its physical consequences, cancer exerts substantial psychological effects on patients, their families, and caregivers. Initial reactions often include shock, denial, fear, anxiety, and sadness; in some cases, symptoms resemble post-traumatic stress disorder. These responses are not confined to the moment of diagnosis but frequently persist, evolve, or intensify throughout treatment and survivorship. Life-saving interventions such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery can exacerbate distress through side effects including fatigue, alopecia, and cognitive impairment (“chemo brain”).Prolonged treatment may erode patients’ sense of identity and autonomy, strain interpersonal relationships, and disrupt social roles. Multiple determinants influence the psychological burden experienced by cancer patients, encompassing pre-existing psychiatric comorbidities, demographic variables such as age and sex, tumor characteristics including histological type and disease stage, and the robustness of available social support networks. For example, older adults may experience heightened loneliness and fear of mortality, whereas adolescents and young adults are more vulnerable to body image concerns and interruptions to life goals. Caregivers, too, frequently report exhaustion, anxiety, and guilt, underscoring the need for comprehensive psychosocial support.Integrating mental health care into oncology are therefore imperative. Evidence supports interventions such as mindfulness-based stress reduction, cognitive–behavioural therapy, and psychotherapy in alleviating distress and improving quality of life. These approaches are central to the multidisciplinary field of psycho-oncology, which promotes patient-centred models of care that address both physical and psychological resilience. Only through such an integrated framework can patients and their families receive holistic support across the continuum of diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.

Keywords: Cancer diagnosis, Psychological impact, Patient well-being, Post-traumatic stress, Holistic cancer care