Breaking the Silence About Cancer and Mental Health

Have you ever considered how deeply cancer affects not only your body, but also your mind? Getting diagnosed can bring up many emotions like fear, uncertainty, anger, and sometimes feeling alone. These feelings are normal, yet too often they go unspoken. February marks a time to talk about mental health, and for cancer patients, starting this conversation can be life-changing.

At PCSRI, we believe that treating cancer means caring for your whole self. That's why we've teamed up with the Cancer Support Community (CSC), an organization with over 175 locations worldwide. We are one of the few community oncology practices in the U.S. connected with CSC, so our patients have access to exceptional support services specifically designed for people undergoing cancer treatment.

One resource we offer is Helpline, a free phone service where you can talk to someone who understands what you're going through. Whether you're worried about treatment side effects, feeling alone, or just need to talk, someone is ready to listen. Helpline is available Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 9 PM. Whenever you call, know that someone will be there to help.

We also offer Mylifeline.org, an online tool that helps you stay in touch with the people who care about you. You can share updates, let friends and family know how they can help, and connect with others who understand what you’re going through. This way, you don’t have to update everyone individually, so you can focus on feeling better.

Our team are here to walk alongside you through every step of your treatment. They can help with financial concerns, provide emotional support, connect you with resources, arrange dietitian consultations, and address whatever else you might need. It is our number one priority to ensure you have everything you need to move through treatment with less stress and more confidence.

Talking about how cancer affects your mental health is an important part of healing. Feeling anxious, sad, or overwhelmed doesn't mean you aren’t strong. It means you're human and facing something incredibly difficult. When you take care of your emotional health, you often feel better physically too. You may sleep better, have more energy, and feel more like yourself.

If you're currently going through it, or supporting someone who is, remember that asking for help shows courage. You deserve support through the hard days. You are not alone in this, and you don't have to pretend everything is fine when it's not.