Psychological Support Necessary for Young Patients with Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer continues to be a leading cause of health concern for many adults in the United States. While gastric cancer has also been a health concern, the number of colorectal cancer complications is expected to surpass gastric cancer in the next several years. When diagnosed with colorectal cancer, it is important to consider not only the cancer treatment required for physical health, but also the treatment needed to support the cancer patient from a psychological standpoint.

In many oncology offices, the discussions over practical and aggressive measures to resolve colorectal cancer occur every day. For many patients, the issues of psychological support are often forgotten. As a colorectal cancer patient, it is important to ask that your physician make a referral to a mental health professional that specializes in cancer therapy and support of mental complications associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Because colorectal cancer may lead to impaired interpersonal relationships, impair your ability to work and even impair your generally psychological well being, a mental health professional that specializes in these dynamics will be important to your healthcare team. In fact, with age, it has been found that your ability to manage the complications associated with colorectal cancer may be far easier. While aging can bring about many complex physical health and mental health complications, it has been found that the senior adult will often manage the psychological aspect of colorectal cancer far better than the younger counterpart.

If you are under age 50 and have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, your need for psychological support services may be far greater. The support of mental health services is further compounded by the placement of stoma, if needed as part of your colorectal cancer treatment. Therefore, it is important to seek this psychological support early in your diagnosis and to ask that your mental health professional maintain close communication with the oncologist so as to prepare a collaborative approach to your physical and emotional well being.