Mental Health and Mesothelioma

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may feel like everything in your life has changed. You may be overwhelmed by the side effects of treatment, having to tell people you have mesothelioma cancer, the effects of your condition on your family, and the fear of death. 

Although mesothelioma treatment has traditionally focused only on physical interventions, many mesothelioma doctors recognize that mental health plays an important role in treatment outcomes. As a result, mesothelioma treatment centers often include mental health support in the treatment plan.

Mesothelioma symptoms and treatment can take a toll on your mental health, no matter how strong you are. Finding positive ways to cope is an important factor in your post-diagnosis quality of life, whether your condition worsens or improves.

Common Mental Health Conditions Associated With Mesothelioma

According to Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 35 to 40 percent of cancer patients experience a diagnosable psychiatric disorder, with higher percentages for patients with advanced cancer. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that is often in an advanced stage at the time of diagnosis. 

Read on for more information and to find the original article including how Mindfulness helps with a diagnosis HERE.