Psychological
Cancer patients and survivors often experience psychological effects associated with colon cancer. Loved ones and caretakers of cancer patients are also at risk for developing psychological effects associated with the disease and treatment. These effects, although mostly negative, may also be positive and vary in intensity from patient to patient.
Types of psychological effects
The psychological effects of colon cancer are individual specific and vary from person to person. These effects may occur upon diagnosis, during treatment, and after treatment. Not all of the psychological effects are negative, and some patients experience a greater appreciation for life and heightened spirituality.1 Some studies have linked cancer with psychological effects, but more research is needed in the area. The most common effects include:
- Anxiety
Anxiety is a common psychological effect of colon cancer and may occur at all stages of cancer from diagnosis to post-treatment.
- Depression
Depression may also affect cancer patients and survivors. Depression is a mental condition of prolonged sadness and despair that affects approximately 15-25% of cancer patients.2
- Low confidence
Cancer may have a psychological effect on confidence. The physical and mental changes one must go through in cancer treatment may cause lower self confidence.
- Stress
Psychological stress is defined as "the emotional and physiological reactions experienced when an individual confronts a situation in which the demand go[es] beyond [his/her] coping resources."3 When stress is detected, the body releases hormones to provide more speed and strength in dealing with the situation. Epinephrine (adrenaline) and cortisone (hydrocortisone) are the hormones released. These hormones, called stress hormones, affect the body in many ways and raise blood pressure, heart rate and blood sugar levels.4 Studies have shown that small amounts of stress is good for the body, but chronic stress, especially high levels of stress, is harmful. Chronic stress can increase the risk of obesity, heart disease, depression and other illnesses. High levels of stress have also been linked to unhealthy behaviors such as smoking, overeating, and drug and alcohol abuse.
Scientists and health care professionals have studied the relationship between stress and cancer risk. Some of the studies have found a link between psychological factors and increased risk of cancer, but a direct cause-and-effect relationship has not yet been proven. These studies may have yielded inconsistent results because of the difficulty in separating stress from other physical and emotional factors. Furthermore, individual behaviors, as opposed to stress levels, may increase the risk of cancer.
Studies on the effects of stress on tumors have shown that stress affects tumor growth and spread. The biological mechanisms underlying the effects on the body is not known but scientists believe stress reduces immune system functionality, which in turn, may affect tumor growth. These studies suggest that psychological factors have a stronger relationship with cancer growth and spread, than with cancer development.
For more information regarding stress, please visit the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) at http://www.nimh.nih.gov. For information regarding stress and women’s health, see the National Women’s Health Information Center (NWHIC) at http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/stress.htm.
Psychological effects on family and caretakers
Cancer patients are not the only ones who may experience psychological effects from cancer. The friends, family, and caretakers of these patients may also be affected. If you or someone you know is suffering from psychological effects due to cancer diagnosis or treatment of a loved one; you are not alone! It is important that the caretakers and people around cancer patients are healthy and happy, so please seek care and help if you are experiencing psychological effects.
For more information on palliative care, please visit the National Cancer Institute website as http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Support/palliative-care.
Ways to help
Cancer patients and survivors are not destined to suffer psychological effects of the disease and treatment. There are many ways you can prevent or minimize the effects. As with most prevention techniques, taking excellent care of your body is the number one way to prevent psychological effects of cancer. Improved diet, exercise, better sleep, and relaxation techniques may prevent negative psychological effects of cancer. Some studies have also shown that colon cancer screening may lessen these psychological effects.5
If you or someone you love is battling psychological effects associated with colon cancer, please seek medical or mental health care. You are not alone! There is no reason why you should continue to suffer, so please act quickly.
Resources for help
The National Cancer Institute has a great website that describes the various psychological effects of cancer. Information on studies and recommendations for patients and their friends and family are discussed. The article may be found at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/coping/emotionaleffects.
Your friends, family, community, spiritual groups, and health care professionals may be able to help prevent, manage, or minimize the psychological and physiological effects of colon cancer. We urge you to do your research and would appreciate any resources you have found to be helpful.
Physiological Effects of Colon Cancer
Colon cancer may also affect physiological well being. The most common physiological effects of cancer include:
- Chronic pain
- Which typically occurs after cancer treatment
- Constant fatigue
- May occur in both cancer patients and survivors
- Hair loss
- Incontinence
- Infertility
- Both male and female patients and survivors may experience infertility.
- Multiple cancers
- Numbness
- Osteoporosis
- Sexual dysfunction6
1. Rowena N. Schwartz, PharmD, BCOP, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association, "adult Survivors of Cancer: Psychosocial Issues." www.mediafire.com/?9j6ceqqs7arfqap.
2. National Cancer Institute, Psychological Stress and Cancer: Questions and Answers.
3. National Cancer Institute, Psychological Stress and Cancer: Questions and Answers.
4. Id.
5. Jane Wardle, et al., "Psychological impact of colorectal cancer screening," Health Psychology 22:1 (January 2003) 54-59.
6. Parvesh Ramsohok, "Physiological and Psychological Effects of Cancer." http://ezinearticles.com/?Physiological-and-Psychological-Effects-of-Cancer&id=1883925. Accessed April 2011.
