Additional Considerations for Patient Care
Cancer management and treatment plans should educate patients on self-care, including emotional and social support, physical health, and nutritional needs. Resources and additional assistance that support exercise, mental health, nutrition, and maintaining quality sleep can improve health of patients.1,2 Pain management can also provide relief and assist in improving daily life.3 Included here are resources on navigating discussions with patients on self-care and overall health.
Mental Health
It is common for patients with cancer to experience anxiety and distress, which can lead to depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder.2 These mental health challenges can be a result of physical effects of cancer, side effects of treatment strategies, or psychological distress over their situation. Mental health needs of patients may vary during phases of their disease, and different coping skills may be better suited depending on if they are receiving the diagnosis, being treated, in remission, stopping treatment, or transitioning to being a long-term survivor.
Emotional and Social Support
Studies indicate that patients who are having difficulties with mental health can benefit from emotional and social support, including cancer education, counseling and talk therapy, existential therapy, relaxation training, and social support groups.2 Screenings for mental health should be performed for patients with cancer so that they may be referred to the appropriate specialists to address mental health concerns.2
Physical Health and Exercise
For patients who are able, exercise can improve body functions, increase strength, boost mental health, reduce fatigue, decrease pain, and improve sleep.1 Patients should consult with their physicians to develop an appropriate and personalized exercise regimen to supplement their treatment and further improve health.
Nutrition
Adequate nutrition in patients with cancer can improve patient strength, prevent catabolism, and improve tolerance to treatment side effects.4 Many patients with cancer are at risk of malnutrition due to toxic effects of treatment on the gastrointestinal system, including taste changes, early satiety, nausea, vomiting, esophagitis, diarrhea, and constipation.
Nutritional Support
To combat toxic effects of cancer treatment on the gastrointestinal system and subsequent malnutrition, patients should undergo screening for malnutrition using a resource that has been approved for oncology patients, such as the malnutrition screening tool (MST) or the patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA).4 When needed, patients can be referred to a registered dietitian for complete assessment and implementation of a nutritional care plan. Plans for improved treatment can include behavioral strategies for symptom management, oral supplements, nutritional support that bypasses oral intake, and pharmaceutical management.
Pain in Patients With Cancer
One of the most common symptoms in patients with cancer is pain. Pain can be caused by tumors, surgery, and treatment strategies.3,5 The following are the 3 mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of pain: nociception, neuropathic complications, and emotional distress.5
Pain Management
Given differences in diagnosis, response to pain, and personal preferences, pain management should be personalized and should involve interdisciplinary evaluation and implementation.3 It is important that appropriate education about treatment, administration, side effects, and improvement expectations be provided to both patients and caregivers. This is of special concern when considering treatment with opioids, given their potential for misuse.5 It is also important to determine the etiology of pain and assess whether pain complaints are disproportionate to the stimulus. Adequate assessment of the patient’s situation will enable personalized treatment to be tailored, as well as evaluation of psychological distress and substance abuse disorders. Several pharmaceutical options are available for the management of pain in patients with cancer. Other treatments can include nerve blocks, neurologic treatments, radiation therapy, and palliative care.3
Diversity in Clinical Trials
Cancer affects people of every gender, race, ethnicity, and age. Diversity in clinical trials is important to identify the benefits and risks of treatment for different populations, but most clinical trials are not balanced by gender, race, ethnicity, or age. Patients with cancer can contribute to diversity by joining a clinical trial. Participation in trials can provide opportunities for additional monitoring and provide access to new research treatments.6 However, enrollment in clinical trials is not without risks, so it is important for a patient with cancer to work with their physicians to decide what is right for them.
References: 1. National Cancer Institute: Center for Cancer Research. https://www.cancer.gov/rare-brain-spine-tumor/living/self-care/physical-health. Accessed February 15, 2022. 2. National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping/feelings/anxiety-distress-pdq. Accessed February 15, 2022. 3. National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/pain/pain-pdq. Accessed February 15, 2022. 4. National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/appetite-loss/nutrition-hp-pdq. Accessed February 15, 2022. 5. National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/pain/pain-hp-pdq. Accessed February 15, 2022. 6. National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/clinical-trials-benefits-risks-and-safety. Accessed March 2, 2023.
Patient Advocacy Resources
A virtual gallery experience celebrating the achievements and legacy of a nursing and healthcare pioneer.
A website dedicated to stories of 10 women living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) who took part in our fearLESS retreat and found strength in community. Although MBC is one of the deadliest cancers in women, each of these women shared how they live each day fearlessly in the face of their diagnosis.
A portal for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) information and resources for patients and their caregivers.
The #TruthAboutTC campaign began as a response to the feeling within the thyroid cancer (TC) community that the reality of living with the disease was not being accurately represented. Too often, challenges were being downplayed and overlooked. Newly diagnosed patients would hear things like, “If you had to get cancer, this would be the type you'd want to get.” Myths like this need to be dispelled. The truth needs to be told.
Spot Her® is an initiative to help end the silence around endometrial cancer. Together, we can help empower people across generations and cultures to spot the potential signs early, speak up, and take action.
Magnolia Meals at Home® is a meal delivery program providing nourishing meals at no cost to households affected by cancer.
Eisai, as part of their Magnolia patient support program, has teamed up with MealTrain.com to offer a simple way for friends to coordinate meal deliveries to those impacted by cancer.
Unless otherwise noted, Eisai Inc. does not review the information contained in the resources above for content, accuracy, or completeness. Use of and access to the information are subject to the terms, limitations, and conditions set by the website producer. Eisai Inc. makes no claims about the accuracy, or any other aspect of the information contained on these websites, nor does Eisai Inc. necessarily endorse these websites.
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