The Invisible Side of Cancer Treatment
May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a vital time to recognize that cancer care extends far beyond physical survival. While oncology has traditionally focused on physical treatments and scan results, the field is undergoing a paradigm shift toward a holistic approach that treats mental wellness as a core component of patient care.
Read the full accompanying article on Oncology Data Advisor:
https://bit.ly/4dugJaM
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
● Quantifying Mental Health: Using validated screening tools (PHQ-9/GAD-7) to objectively track patient wellness.
● Normalizing Diagnosis Trauma: Destigmatizing acute anxiety to provide better, more logical situational support.
● Conquering “Scanxiety”: Navigating body dysmorphia, social distress, and fear of recurrence after active treatment ends.
● The Physical-Mental Link: Treating interconnected symptom clusters (like pain and sleep) to trigger a positive emotional chain reaction.
● Smart Social Media: How to find supportive online communities while avoiding predatory wellness influencers.
Chapter Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction: The Invisible Side of Cancer Treatment
01:15 – Quantifying the Unquantifiable: Implementing PHQ-9 and GAD-7 in Clinic
03:45 – Normalizing the Trauma: Addressing the “Car Accident” of Diagnosis
05:50 – Beyond Active Treatment: Dealing with Survivorship and Scanxiety
08:10 – Interconnected Care: Managing Physical and Mental Symptom Clusters
10:40 – Navigating Social Media: Fighting Misinformation with Clinical Truth
12:55 – Key Takeaways: Holistic Support and Patient Advocacy
About the Speakers:
Jasmin Hundal, MD, MS, MPH: A Hematology/Oncology Fellow at the @clevelandclinic specializing in the intersection of cardiometabolic health and cancer for breast cancer patients and survivors.
Joseph McCollom, DO: A Palliative Oncologist, Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology Physician, and Medical Director of Palliative, Survivorship, and Integrative Oncology at Parkview Cancer Institute.
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