Cancer, Body Image, and Mental Health

The physical changes most cancer patients experience can have an impact on their body image and mental health. A recent survey by Texas Oncology polled 150 current and former cancer patients across the southwestern U.S. to better understand the impact cancer has on self-perception, body image, and mental and emotional health. Texas Oncology is sharing the survey results to raise awareness about the ways that cancer can impact body image and mental health and to spark a conversation that brings greater understanding and validation to the physical, mental, and emotional experience of all cancer patients.

The Physical Effects of Cancer on Body Image

When it comes to understanding how the physical changes cancer patients experienced impact the way they view their body, 45% of respondents said they felt grateful for their body’s perseverance throughout treatment. Despite this, many respondents also indicated negative impacts to the way they view their bodies, and 34% said they expected the changes in the way they view their body to be permanent.

• 50% felt less attractive
• 42% felt less self-confident
• 37% did not feel as comfortable in their own skin
• 36% avoided intimacy
• 31% felt less feminine/masculine

The Physical Effects of Cancer on Mental Health

Patients and survivors overwhelmingly said the changes they experienced to their body during cancer treatment impacted their mental health. While 43% of people said they felt unprepared to deal with the physical side effects, 56% felt unprepared for the mental side effects experienced during cancer treatment. Respondents also shared a variety of mental health challenges during treatment.

• When asked about specific symptoms, 70% of survey respondents experienced one or more symptoms of depression and 65% anxiety
• 60% experienced feelings of depression
• 55% experienced feelings of anxiety

The Effects of Cancer on Relationships

Cancer patients often feel isolated, which can lead to symptoms of anxiety and depression. In those who experienced changes in the way they view their body, 38% of survey respondents said their relationships strengthened with loved ones, while 34% said their relationships weakened. Having a strong support system when going through treatment can have a positive impact on a patient’s mental and emotional health.

• When asked about romantic relationships, 49% of people said the bond with their spouse was negatively impacted, and only 15% was positively impacted.
• Millennials (87%), Generation X (54%), and Baby Boomers (42%) continued to maintain personal relationships during treatment.
• 68% of women relied on their friends for support throughout their cancer journey and 47% of men.
• More women (60%) than men (40%) said they relied on their children.
• 46% women and 28% men relied on their siblings for support.
• Nearly three in ten women said their cancer diagnosis weakened their relationship with their partner and/or spouse, while just 8% of men said this weakened their relationship.
• Nearly half (46%) of women said their diagnosis strengthened their relationships with their friends, compared to 31% of men.

Cancer Patients Hesitant to Seek Support Services

It is important for cancer patients to talk with their care teams about how their cancer journey impacts their emotional, spiritual, and mental health so that they get helpful support. The survey results also indicated a gap in cancer patients’ desire for increased mental and emotional support, and how those needs were being met.

• The top two ways cancer patients wished they received more support were emotional (46%) and mental (39%).
• When asked if they sought out support to help cope with the mental or physical side effects of cancer treatment, only one third sought out physical and mental side effect resources and 25% sought resources for just mental side effects.
• 59% said they were very or somewhat hesitant to seek out support services.
• 12% received individual therapy and 7% participated in professional-led support groups.
• 100% of those who sought out and relied on support groups rated the quality of support they received as excellent or very good, and 83% of people who did individual therapy said the same.

Cancer can make patients feel isolated but having a strong support system when going through treatment can have a positive impact on their mental and emotional health. It is important for patients to consult with their physician and care team if they are feeling symptoms of anxiety and depression. If a patient, or someone they know, is struggling with self-acceptance and/or other negative thoughts, feelings, or emotions, ask a member of the care team about resources available to help manage these symptoms.

Cancer treatment can impact patients’ quality of life, and specific treatments may result in a need for additional support services such as nutritional and financial counseling, assistance with home healthcare, and emotional health reassurance. Patients should talk with their care team about difficulties that may impact their treatment or health.