What Mental Health Support Is Available During Radiotherapy?

From the moment you are diagnosed with cancer, every aspect of your care plays a role in ensuring that your cancer is destroyed and you make the best possible recovery as soon as possible.

This is why your multidisciplinary team will not only contain oncology experts from a wide variety of medical fields to ensure that you are provided the best courses of treatment possible that not only take your condition and the type of cancer into account but also your personal needs.

We take a particularly holistic approach to cancer treatment, and several members of the MDT are there to provide support and assistance at every step of your treatment, from the physical to the emotional.

Providing tailored psychological support is a critical aspect of care at all stages of the treatment process, and whether you need reassurance, coping strategies, or a sympathetic ear, mental health services are available.

How this will look for different people will vary somewhat, but here are some examples of the types of psychological support you can expect during your treatment journey.

When Diagnosed

One of the first parts of your treatment you are likely to receive will be mental health support following your diagnosis, because it is a lot for many people to take in so quickly.

Everyone has a slightly different reaction, but it is very common to feel shocked, angry or even feel nothing at first. It can be very difficult to process, especially at first, and oncological nurses and doctors will be sympathetic, open and transparent with your diagnosis and what comes next.

For many people, this is when mental health support is needed the most and a psychologist will be there to help you process in these early moments.

The connection between psychological care and your treatment is much closer than a lot of people realise, and we know that support during these early stages is not only essential for providing reassurances and help, but can potentially have an effect on physical symptoms and wellbeing during and following treatment.

Not everyone has the same needs at this early stage, however. Some people adjust to the diagnosis beyond the initial stage as preparations for treatment begin, whilst others will have appointments with a psychologist throughout the treatment process.

Much as there are hundreds of different types of cancers, there are many different avenues for support, and we are there at every stage to help.

During Treatment

Some people can adjust to the diagnosis, but the wait between the confirmation of the treatment plan and the preparations for the first treatment can leave some people feeling uneasy, and that is completely understandable.

Your MDT will explain the process, give you clear information on what to expect, and how you will feel, but until it happens, it is common to feel anxious.

Psychological support is there to help you with these practical concerns, but beyond this, they are also there to be a sympathetic listener for concerns you may not feel like you are able to voice elsewhere.

Cancer treatment can sometimes be intense and is not uncommon to have low energy levels, feel fatigued or struggle with day-to-day activities that were previously far easier. As advanced as modern cancer care is, it can still affect your quality of life and your relationship to your friends and family.

Your cancer team can help with medical and pharmacological solutions to some side effects, as well as provide advice regarding diet, exercise and resting.

Your support circle and cancer team are here for you throughout your treatment, and they will help you in every way they can.

Following Treatment

The weeks and months following cancer treatment can sometimes be difficult, particularly following a lengthy course of radiotherapy or chemotherapy, where the routine of going to see your radiotherapist, your oncologist and the other members of your cancer team has become so ingrained.

As with any intensive experience, it can take some time following the end of treatment to process and reflect, and it is okay not to be okay once the final course of treatment is over and you have been declared cancer free or the cancer is in remission.

Psychological care will continue to be available, and your cancer team will often signpost additional services, support groups and therapists who specialise in managing mental health post-cancer.

Support is always available, and people are always there for you even between follow-up appointments. It is okay to lean on that support whilst you recover and figure out what you want to do next, following treatment.