Navigating Cancer: Psychological Burden and Therapeutic Insights

Abstract

Depression and anxiety are prevalent comorbidities in cancer patients, significantly impacting their quality of life and overall prognosis. This study investigates the psychological burden of cancer, focusing on the interplay between depression, death anxiety, and patient outcomes. Depression affects approximately 15-25% of cancer patients, with variations depending on cancer type and stage, leading to poorer health outcomes, reduced treatment adherence, and heightened mortality risk. Death anxiety, characterized by intense fear of dying and associated existential concerns, further exacerbates psychological distress in this population. Psychotherapeutic interventions, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and Supportive-Expressive Therapy (SET), have shown promise in alleviating depressive symptoms and death anxiety among cancer patients. Moreover, emerging therapies like Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy (MCP) and Dignity Therapy offer additional benefits by addressing existential and spiritual concerns. Novel approaches such as Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) also contribute to emotional distress reduction. Furthermore, recent studies suggest that psychotherapeutic interventions may positively influence disease progression by improving psychological well-being, normalizing HPA axis function, enhancing immune responses, and mitigating stress-related molecular effects on tumor biology. These interventions not only improve QOL, challenging previous assumptions about the limited impact of psychotherapy on cancer outcomes. Integrating psychotherapeutic support into comprehensive cancer care is essential for addressing the complex psychological needs of patients, ultimately improving both emotional resilience and clinical prognosis. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying psycho-physiological mechanisms and optimize therapeutic strategies for diverse cancer populations.