Summary

Around one-third of cancer patients experience depression, anxiety, or other psychiatric conditions, yet these often go undiagnosed, increasing mortality rates by up to 39% and suicide risk by 13 times in the first week after diagnosis.

Mental illness affects 22% of patients post-diagnosis and undermines treatment adherence and survival.

Limited mental health care access, financial barriers, and oncologists’ reluctance to address emotional health exacerbate the issue.

While integrated mental health services and support groups are growing, they remain scarce, leaving many patients to self-advocate for critical psychological care.