Interconnections Between Cancer and the Human Mind

Ellie Li

Abstract 

Just as cancer can affect your physical health, it can also bring up a wide array of emotions that you’re not used to dealing with. A cancer diagnosis can impact a multitude of body organs, specifically encompassing the brain. Fear and worry are common when first hearing the word “cancer,” but worrying too much presents negative effects in terms of your mental well-being. Feelings of stress and anxiety are the most common during these times, but other emotions could also be present, affecting an individual’s way of life.

Cancer and Feelings

Cancer is a disease caused by certain changes to genes, which are the basic physical unit of inheritance [1]. Cells divide uncontrollably and spread into surrounding tissues, causing an immense range of symptoms, both physical and mental, for the patient. A vast range of emotions is commonly associated with the diagnosis of cancer, triggering difficult feelings for both the patient and their caregivers.

Receiving a cancer diagnosis could be life-altering for many and can make existing feelings seem more intense. We, as humans, love to have control over all aspects of our lives, and receiving a cancer diagnosis replaces that feeling and channels it elsewhere. When an individual first acknowledges that they have cancer, it’s normal to feel as if their life is out of control. Wondering if you're going to live, whether your normal routine will be disrupted, and feeling like you can’t do the things that you enjoy are all common thoughts in cancer patients worldwide. 

Changes in Thinking

Some people diagnosed with cancer notice changes in the way they think and in the way they remember information. This is known as cancer-related cognitive impairment, but people may also call it “cancer fog,” “chemo brain,” or “brain fog” [3].

Scientific studies show that some cancer treatments can cause changes in how your brain functions. Some people who receive cancer treatments daily notice that they can’t think as clearly as they used to and often will run into issues with multitasking. Cancer treatments that may increase the risk of changes in thinking include chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, immunotherapy, and hormone therapy [4]. 

Many patients who experience changes in thinking also may have memory loss, trouble concentrating, remembering details, and overall excessive dysfunction. One study found that memory loss can affect one in three people before treatment, up to three in four people during treatment, and one in three after treatment [3]. Changes in thinking can happen at any time when you have cancer and might interfere with your usual activities like school, work, hobbies, or social get-togethers [4].

Patients with cancer can have thinking, and focus changes for other reasons. Changes can happen in people with cancer who have not been treated, gotten other treatments, or have been off treatment for a while [4]. Many other reasons such as the development of a brain tumor, infections, and the consumption of alcohol can also leave lasting impacts on the brain. Most of these reasons cause easily treatable short-term problems while others can lead to brain alterations and changes in thinking.

Psychological Aspects

After a diagnosis of cancer, many individuals might have a range of feelings, including stress, fear, sadness, and anxiety [5]. Cancer ultimately confronts us with our mortality and all of the fears and losses associated with it. It can turn your world upside down, disrupting your life and threatening the roles, purposes, and goals that give you meaning and satisfaction [6]. Feelings of hopelessness and withdrawal can often lead to further psychological issues in a patient's life, such as depression.

Depression is a serious illness that can have a major impact on an individual's quality of life [7]. The most common complaints in depressed individuals are loss of interest in things you used to enjoy (even a simple pleasure, such as listening to your favorite music, could lose its appeal to you); feeling sad, blue, or down in the dumps, and being tearful or crying easily; and feeling depleted of energy and overcome with paralyzing fatigue [6]. A multitude of mental problems will also accompany depression, and feelings of worthlessness might soon override the ability to live a healthy lifestyle. Mental problems, such as difficulties in decision-making, will fuel self-loathing due to depression. Episodes of depression can also lead to feelings of despair, especially when battling a life-threatening disease. 

Many cancer patients go through episodes of depression. In fact, 15-25% of people diagnosed with cancer also suffer from depression. This is more than double that of the general population [7]. Depression makes your entire experience with cancer more difficult, weakens your resilience, and may hamper your overall adjustment. It can also undermine your will to live and compromise the courage and determination that you need to face cancer and endure the necessary medical treatments [6]. Due to difficult life experiences, cancer patients are more prone to experiencing depression. Changes in the brain due to cancer may be a cause for the prevalence of depression in cancer patients.

Finding Hope

Cancer is an incredibly hard disease to live with and can take a large toll on your mental health. Worrying about your future is normal, but it shouldn’t take over your life. 

Even if life feels out of control, there are ways you can take charge. For some people, it feels better to focus on things other than cancer when they can. If you have the desire and energy, try taking part in things you enjoy, such as music, crafts, reading, or learning something new. It may help to learn as much as you can about your cancer type and its treatment [3]. Educating yourself and knowing more about the illness can help ease those fears and give you a sense of control [8]. The more you know, the more in control you'll feel [3].

If you’ve been told the cancer is advanced, you may find it harder to feel hopeful. In some cases, advanced cancer can be controlled for many years. When time is limited, people often focus on goals such as finishing a special project or spending time with family and friends. Connecting with others living the same life experiences as you can help you find the silver lining and instill hope [8].

Living life with cancer presents unimaginable challenges, but taking the time to find joy in the simple things can have an immense impact on your overall well-being. 

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References

[1] What is Cancer? (11/10/2021). National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/what-is-cancer#:~:text=Cancer%20is%20caused%20by%20certain,tightly%20packed%20DNA%20called%20chromosomes.&text=Cancer%20is%20a%20genetic%20disease,how%20they%20grow%20and%20divide. Retrieved: 05/08/2024

[2] Trouble Remembering or Thinking. Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/changes-in-mood-or-thinking.html#:~:text=Cognitive%20Problems%20or%20Changes%20in,to%20find%20help%20and%20support. Retrieved: 05/08/2024

[3] Changes in Thinking and Memory. Cancer Council. https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/cancer-side-effects/changes-in-thinking-and-memory Retrieved: 05/08/2024

[4] Changes in Memory, Thinking, and Focus (Chemo Brain) (13/03/2024). American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/changes-in-mood-or-thinking/chemo-brain.html Retrieved: 05/08/2024

[5] How Cancer Can Make You Feel. Cancer Research UK. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/coping/mental-health-cancer/how-cancer-make-you-feel  Retrieved: 05/08/2024

[6] Kneier, Andrew. Coping With Depression. Stanford Medicine. https://med.stanford.edu/survivingcancer/coping-with-cancer/cancer-coping-with-depression.html Retrieved: 05/08/2024

[7] Weaver, Emily. Depression in Cancer Patients: What You Should Know. (02/10/2013). The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/depression-in-cancer-patients-what-you-should-know.h00-158833590.html Retrieved: 05/08/2024

[8] Finding Hope. Cancer Council. https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/cancer-information/when-you-are-first-diagnosed/emotions-and-cancer/finding-hope/#:~:text=Knowing%20more%20about%20the%20illness,be%20controlled%20for%20many%20years. Retrieved: 05/08/2024