Cancer and Mental Health

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18 Jul 2021

Want to chat with me Join me at a https 3A 2F 2Fmembers docsnipes com 2F a For 10 month you get access to my daily tips for health and wellness and you can text chat with me privately Dr Dawn-Elise Snipes PhD LPC-MHSP LMHC Objectives Explore the contribution of stress anxiety depression to cancer Explore the contribution of cancer to stress anxiety depression Identify PACER Strategies to prevent mood issues Buy CEU course at a https 3A 2F 2Fwww allceus com 2Fmember 2Fcart 2Findex 2Fproduct 2Fid 2F1411 2Fc 2F a Intro Stress is one of the most preventable causes of cancer Chronic stress physical or psychosocial HPA-Axis dysregulation Inflammation sleep disruption alterations in gut microbiota increases in hypertension glutamate induced neurotoxic environment immune suppression tendency to gravitate toward high glycemic comfort foods and away from foods high in antioxidants Mental Health and Cancer In seven studies severe life events anxiety depression insufficient social support perception or avoiding coping strategy were significantly associated with cancer risk In a 2019 meta-analysis which included 281 290 participants work stress was found to be an important risk factor for colorectal lung and esophagus cancers Chronic physical or psychosocial stress suppresses the immune system and is associated with increased inflammation Mental Health Causes of Cancer Oxidative Stress Free radicals are unstable molecules that are naturally produced in the body as a byproduct of breaking down nutrients for bodily processes or from exposure to toxic substances residual waste Endogenous free radicals are generated from immune cell activation inflammation mental stress excessive exercise ischemia infection cancer aging Exogenous free radicals result from air and water pollution cigarette smoke alcohol heavy metals certain drugs industrial solvents cooking smoked meat used oil trans-fats radiation etc Mental Health Causes of Cancer Oxidative stress cont When free radicals are produced faster than they can be neutralized by antioxidants and cleared it causes oxidative stress Dysregulation of the HPA-Axis results in elevated oxidative stress that leads to neuroinflammation and subsequent anxiety and depressive symptoms Oxidative stress has been implicated in depression and high anxiety levels and cancer arthritis aging autoimmune inflammatory disorders cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases Cancer initiation and promotion are associated with chromosomal defects and oncogene activation induced by free radicals Cancer Impact on Mental Health Approximately 40 of the survivors reported moderate to high anxiety scores and approximately 20 reported moderate to high depression scores Anxiety Worsening recurrence rejection Non-grief related depression possibly related to inflammation or the effects of treatment Grief related to functional losses Post Traumatic Stress The person or a close relative of a person was exposed to death threatened death actual or threatened serious injury Cancer Impact on Mental Health Cancer-related cognitive impairment CRCI which can include changes in memory executive function attention and processing speed occurs in up to 30 of patients prior to any treatment and in up to 75 of patients during treatment Cancer treatment and chronic stress from cancer can be neurotoxic Chemotherapy or radiation can cause hearing loss and tinnitus also some antiemetics Cancer treatment can cause dehydration Cancer survivors have increased inflammation on average 20 years after treatment which is associated with lower cognitive performance PACER Strategies for Mental Health Physical CBD nonpsychoatcive has been found to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity Vitamin E deficiency in the mouse brain significantly increases the levels oxidative stress markers and anxiogenic behavior Vitamin C Vitamin A Beta Carotene oranges Lycopene reds Selenium Omega 3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation Omega-6s tend to promote inflammation A healthy diet should consist of about 4 grams omega-6s for every 1g omega-3 American diets provide 24 grams of omega-6s for every gram of omega-3 which partly explains the rising rate of inflammatory disorders 4 1 vs 24 1 PACER Strategies for Mental Health Relational Social support to prevent distress and aid in coping and prevention of cognitive decline which means supports need to be mentally and physically healthy too Significant others Support groups Spiritual leaders Self esteem Communication skills to ask for what is needed and maintain boundaries Respite care for caregivers cancer neuroscience mentalhealthmatters