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When cancer isn't the only deadly risk: Battling depression post-treatment - CNN

When cancer isn't the only deadly risk: Battling depression post-treatment - CNN

When cancer isn't the only deadly risk: Battling depression post-treatment - CNN
Oct 01, 2020 1 min, 42 secs

No one warned me that having breast cancer and a mastectomy could lead to depression — not my cancer doctors nor the nurse navigator who helped me through the maze of treatment.

The lasting effects of a mastectomy, the post-surgical maintenance drugs and fear of recurrence can all lead to depression, according to Tasha Chasson, an oncology support counselor for Wellness House, a cancer support center located in Hinsdale, Illinois.

Many women find themselves in "survival mode" during treatment and only have time to consider their emotions when treatment is over, Chasson said.

She was the only person on my medical team to ever say that I might need help, suggesting I find a support group for cancer survivors.

Unfortunately, the only local support group for breast cancer patients met in the middle of the day, not accessible for someone still working.

Evening support groups are frequently in high demand as many cancer patients are still working, and support group providers can struggle to find appropriate facilitators and space to meet, Chasson said.

And so I did, joining an online support group for breast cancer patients and several Facebook groups for survivors.

Because of my therapist and my online support groups, I came to see that my post-cancer depression was not unusual or my fault.

From my various support groups, I've learned that women all over the country suffer from both the failure of treatment providers to focus on the emotional toll that cancer and a mastectomy can take and limited access to mental health services after treatment.

Doctors and patients can use the National Comprehensive Cancer Network's "distress thermometer" that the nonprofit makes available to both individuals and medical offices.

Patients deserve to be warned about the possibility of depression both during and after treatment, and to be offered robust, easy-to-access help when they experience cancer-related depression.

For information on depression during and after breast cancer treatment, check out the American Cancer Society, the Cancer Support Community (also known as Gilda's Club), the Cancer Hope Network and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

Summarized by 365NEWSX ROBOTS

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