A diagnosis of cancer can bring many types of challenges to a person. Often, the physical effects of the disease and treatment are focused on the most in the effort to cure the cancer. However, it is also important for the health-care team to address psychosocial effects, which are the emotional and social issues that people with cancer often encounter and can greatly affect patients' well-being. According to a 2007 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report on this topic, psychosocial problems can include:

• Lack of information and support
  
  
• Emotional difficulties, including depression and anxiety
  
  
• Lack of transportation
  
  
• Disruptions to work, school, and family life
  
  
• Insufficient financial resources

The IOM report notes that such psychosocial obstacles can interfere with a person's healthcare and diminish his or her health and functioning. However, the impact of emotional and social issues can be significantly reduced through effective communication between the patient and the doctor. Patients and caregivers can take an active role in addressing these challenges by asking questions and talking with the doctor about both physical symptoms and psychosocial concerns, such as coping with the diagnosis, paying for medical bills, or getting to appointments. There are many support services available for people with cancer, and being linked up with the appropriate services can provide an enormous benefit to the patient's overall care.

Patient information and support

Access to current information about a specific cancer type or the related treatment options help patients make more informed decisions about their health care. Patients also should know the short and long term side effects of their treatment in order to anticipate how their needs may change in the future. This website has a number of additional patient information resources listed on  the Useful Links and Resources Page and in many subpages.  

Emotional support

Many people facing a cancer diagnosis and the physical effects of treatment experience emotional difficulties, including anxiety and depression. And, patients with untreated depression or anxiety may be less likely to take their cancer medication and maintain their health and are more likely to withdraw from family or other social support. There are services available to help patients maintain their emotional well-being and get help for depression or anxiety, such as peer support groups, individual or group counseling, and medication. Depression and Sadness section provides more information on how depression and anxiety can be treated.

Finding Help for Transportation

Many people have trouble traveling to and from treatment because the chemotherapy or radiation makes them too weak. Transportation services are available in many communities and, although they vary, are usually one of these three types:

Here are some tips to find help with transportation:

1. Start with family and friends – often they want to help out and this is something concrete they can do.
2. Check with your hospital and see if they have a van service for people coming as an outpatient (not admitted to the hospital) for radiation and chemotherapy. Or you may be able to carpool with other outpatients.
3. Contact your local or county government office to see if they provide low-cost transportation on the public transit system for elderly or disabled individuals (sometimes called "paratransit").
4. Check with community agencies, like the YMCA, the YWCA, Catholic Charities, Area Agencies on Aging, or local churches, synagogues and fraternal orders.
5. Paying for private transportation (taxis, ambulettes, and car services) may be your only option. This can be expensive, so don't hesitate to shop around, and ask them if they will offer a discounted rate if you use them regularly.
6. If you are looking for out-of-town transportation, there are organizations that can match you with low-cost or free flights. Two places to start are the Air Care Alliance and the National Patient Travel Center.
7. CancerCare provides limited financial assistance for transportation to treatment under some circumstances. Contact  then via email or call 1-800-813-HOPE (4673).

Financial assistance and advice

Lack of adequate health insurance can prevent many patients from seeking treatment, taking necessary medications, or attending regular appointments. People with a limited income can also have difficulty affording basic necessities in addition to medical care. Even patients with health insurance may find that the costs associated with cancer treatment are more than expected. Financial assistance and advice about paying for health care, medications, and other necessities during cancer treatment may be available through different organizations or government services. The Financial Resources section provides information on understanding health insurance, and lists national, local, and governmental sources of financial assistance.

Lifestyle changes

For some people, part of their cancer treatment plan includes significant changes in lifestyle and habits, physical activity levels, or diet to help relieve side effects or reduce chances of cancer recurrence (the cancer returning after treatment). For people who smoke, quitting smoking is often an essential part of recovery. These changes are can be difficult to make, and it is important that patients receive the support and resources they need.

Managing life disruptions

Many patients may have a significant change in work schedules, and some people must stop work entirely during cancer treatment. The Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act provide legal protection for disruptions in work due to cancer treatment. For more information, read Cancer.Net's section on Cancer and the Workplace. School can also be disrupted; information on managing school re-entry can be found at Cancer and School. And, patients may also find that they have trouble performing daily activities. Home care services are often available for people who need greater assistance in the home, either with their medical needs or activities of daily life.

Institute of Medicine Report

As mentioned above, in 2007, the IOM issued the report, Cancer Care for the Whole Patient: Meeting Psychosocial Health Needs. This report provides 10 recommendations that can help doctors identify emotional and social needs, refer patients to necessary services, support patients in managing their illness, coordinate psychosocial and medical care, and follow-up on the effectiveness of these interventions.

For more information on how the IOM recommendations affect patients, read the

Read the executive summary of the IOM Report: Cancer Care for the Whole Patient: Meeting Psychosocial Health Needs.

Order a copy of the full report from IOM and access a resource list and report brief for patients or health-care providers.