Improving Mental Health and Quality of Life for Cancer Patients
A study out of Greece suggests that recognizing and addressing demoralization early can help improve cancer patients’ mental health. The goal of the study was to look at how anxiety and depression affect cancer patients’ lives and health services. Measuring Anxiety and Depression The researchers in this study talked to 150 cancer patients from two cancer centers. They used survey tools to measure anxiety, depression, and demoralization. Demoralization is when someone feels like they have lost hope and are discouraged about their situation. Someone who is experiencing demoralization might have a hard time finding meaning in their life. People with mesothelioma often struggle with anxiety, depression, and demoralization. Mesothelioma is a cancer that forms in the lining of organs like … Continue reading Improving Mental Health and Quality of Life for Cancer Patients
Navigating Love, Mental Health, and Mesothelioma
Divorced mesothelioma patients may be more likely to be depressed, according to a new study from the journal Palliative and Supportive Care. Researchers from the United States measured the quality of life, coping, depression, and social support of 67 mesothelioma patients. Most of these patients coped with their diagnosis with active coping, emotional support, and acceptance. Mesothelioma Diagnosis Malignant mesothelioma is a disease linked to asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is often diagnosed in older people, and survival rates are poor. There are approximately 2,000 cases of mesothelioma in the United States every year. People with mesothelioma might start to feel shortness of breath, chest pain, and weight loss. Symptoms first appear after a long latency period of 20 to 50 years. … Continue reading Navigating Love, Mental Health, and Mesothelioma
Suicide Prevention in Mesothelioma
Cancer patients who receive surgery have a higher risk of suicide up to three years after their treatment. Researchers from Massachusetts and California looked at data from 1,811,397 patients between 2000 and 2016. Patients who receive cancer surgery should be closely monitored for psychological distress. Social support from family, friends, and peers can help, too. Psychological Effects of Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lining of internal organs like the lungs. The current treatment options can be invasive and may not be effective. It can be a lonely disease for caregivers and patients. Only about 2,500 Americans receive a mesothelioma diagnosis each year making it one of the rarest types of cancer. In many cases, … Continue reading Suicide Prevention in Mesothelioma
New Tool to Measure Mesothelioma Stress
Researchers from Italy have created a tool to measure psychological distress in patients with malignant mesothelioma. Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure. It is unique among cancers because of the combination of medical, psychological, social, and legal factors. The clinical characteristics of mesothelioma can make this disease especially difficult for patients and families. It can take decades for symptoms to appear, and they are often difficult to treat. Because of this, the prognosis usually is not very good for patients. The fact that asbestos exposure typically occurs at work is also difficult for patients to deal with. Unlike other cancers, mesothelioma patients can blame governments or companies for their disease. This can lead to feelings of … Continue reading New Tool to Measure Mesothelioma Stress
Meeting the Needs of Mesothelioma Patients and Caregivers
A study published earlier this year found that mesothelioma patients and their caregivers have many unmet support needs. Mesothelioma is a cancer that forms in the lining of organs like the lungs. It is caused by exposure to asbestos. Most patients with mesothelioma are elderly and male. Treatment for mesothelioma is difficult and the five-year survival rate is poor. A mesothelioma diagnosis can be devastating for a family. Patients and their caregivers can experience hopelessness, blame, and psychological distress. They also face uncertainty around financial issues and medical concerns. The painful symptoms of mesothelioma are a huge source of stress, as well. There is not much information currently available about the psychosocial support needs of people living with mesothelioma and … Continue reading Meeting the Needs of Mesothelioma Patients and Caregivers
Caregiver Burden with Mesothelioma: Social Support and Family Resilience
A new study found that older or spousal caregivers of patients with lung cancer are more likely to suffer from caregiver burden. This discovery was made by researchers in China. Their goal was to find factors related to caregiver burden in lung cancer families. They also wanted to find out if family resilience can improve caregiver burden. Taking Care of a Loved One Malignant mesothelioma is a highly lethal type of membrane cancer. Most mesothelioma patients lived or worked around asbestos. When mesothelioma occurs in the lungs, it is called malignant pleural mesothelioma. There are approximately 2,000 cases of mesothelioma in the United States every year. People with mesothelioma might start to feel shortness of breath, chest pain, and weight … Continue reading Caregiver Burden with Mesothelioma: Social Support and Family Resilience
Marital Status Effects Mesothelioma Outcomes
Being married may be a factor in positive mesothelioma outcomes. This is the finding of a study by researchers from a Chinese university published last October. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. There are about 2,000 cases of mesothelioma diagnosed in the United States every year. The global occurrence of mesothelioma has increased at a steady pace in recent years. Mesothelioma usually has a poor prognosis. This is because symptoms don’t begin to appear until the cancer has become difficult to treat. Some factors that affect prognosis are patient health, the type of treatment, and the type of mesothelioma. Married Mesothelioma Patients Have Lower Risk of Death In other cancers, marital status can affect the outcomes … Continue reading Marital Status Effects Mesothelioma Outcomes
Reducing Mesothelioma Stress for Minority Patients and Caregivers
A cancer diagnosis like mesothelioma can be difficult for both patients and caregivers. Often, minorities with cancer and their caregivers experience more distress. A new study has found that LGBTQI cancer patients and caregivers can reduce “minority stress.” This is possible with support from partners, friends, and family. Minority stress is chronic stress from living with an LGBTQI identity. Facing Discrimination as a Cancer Patient LGBTQI people experience prejudice in their lives because of their identity. This can include stigma, hostility, and violence. Add in a cancer diagnosis, and some LGBTQI cancer patients struggle with self-blame and suicidal thoughts. The team looked at LGBTQI cancer patients and their treatment for mesothelioma. LGBTQI cancer patients fear more discrimination from doctors, nurses, … Continue reading Reducing Mesothelioma Stress for Minority Patients and Caregivers
Experience of Hope in Mesothelioma Patients and Caregivers
A new review in JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis evaluated the experience of hope in adult patients with advanced disease. Finding hope and positivity were helpful strategies for patient and caregiver emotional well-being. The experience of mesothelioma is characterized by uncertainty and worry for some patients. But the same patients say they are also optimistic and hopeful. This study did not focus on the lived experience of mesothelioma. But American mesothelioma patients are underrepresented in the medical literature. The US has a higher number of mesothelioma deaths each year than any other country. The new study shows the experience of these patients is much like that of mesothelioma patients elsewhere in the world. Focused on Improving Quality of Life Mesothelioma … Continue reading Experience of Hope in Mesothelioma Patients and Caregivers
Preventing Functional Decline in Mesothelioma Patients
A new review suggests the prevention of functional decline lies in early detection, physical activity, and a healthy diet. An estimated 2,500 Americans receive a mesothelioma diagnosis every year. Most of them are over 65. This population is typically less active than younger people anyway. It can be even harder to get enough physical activity when they are depleted by cancer and treatment. Research shows that physical activity does more than make patients stronger. It can also help them fight cancers like malignant mesothelioma. But many patients still do not get enough. The new report shows how exercise programs should be part of the long-term care of people fighting malignant mesothelioma. Prevention and Management of Functional Decline Pleural mesothelioma is … Continue reading Preventing Functional Decline in Mesothelioma Patients
Get your free copy of
“Surviving Mesothelioma” Today!