Emotional Health

Most people diagnosed with cancer or at high risk for cancer have some distress. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommends that healthcare providers ask their patients about level of distress and refer patients experiencing distress to mental health professionals. Despite these guidelines, many patients do not receive the mental health care they need. It is important that you tell your doctor if you are experiencing distress, and ask about your options for referral to a mental health care provider.

People experiencing distress may benefit from the following services:

• referral to a mental health care provider
• referral to a financial navigator
• antianxiety or antidepressent medications
• nutrition and exercise programs
• pain management
• complementary therapies such as yoga, meditation, massage
• referral to spiritual or chaplaincy care
• peer support 
• referral to palliative care