Cancer is a health crisis that has long been plaguing the United States and the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, with nearly 2 million new cases diagnosed in 2018. In the U.S. alone, the American Cancer Society estimates that in 2020, there will be 276,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 48,530 deaths from the disease. As a result, breast cancer is a global crisis. Globally, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women, with an estimated 627,000 deaths in 2018. This chapter will discuss the prevalence of trauma and PTSD among cancer patients and survivors, and the risk factors associated with its development. Additionally, the chapter will discuss the psychological impact of trauma and PTSD on cancer survivors, and the interventions that are available to help manage these issues through a fly-fishing support group for female breast cancer survivors that can be offered as community education programs from state fisheries.
TopCancer Is A Crisis
According to the National Cancer Institute (2020), cancer can cause physical pain and discomfort, fatigue, and a disruption in normal daily activities. In addition, cancer can cause emotional distress, including fear, anxiety, and depression. Cancer patients and survivors are at an increased risk of developing trauma and PTSD due to their experience with the illness and treatment (Pranjic et al., 2016). Additionally, Studies have found that up to 40% of cancer patients and survivors may develop trauma and PTSD (Pranjic et al., 2016). The psychological impact of trauma and PTSD on cancer patients and survivors can be more severe due to the additional physical and cognitive impairments caused by cancer and its treatment (Pranjic et al., 2016). Several risk factors have been identified as contributing to developing trauma and PTSD in cancer survivors (Pranjic et al., 2016). These include the severity of the cancer diagnosis, lifestyle changes due to the illness and treatment, and the psychological impact of the illness (Pranjic et al., 2016; Cordova et al., 2017). Studies have found that PTSD can harm the physical and psychological health of cancer survivors, including increased fatigue, depression, and anxiety (Pranjic et al., 2016; Cordova et al., 2017)
Cancer is a health crisis that has long been plaguing the United States and the world. According to the American Cancer Society (2020), cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States and is estimated to cause over 600,000 deaths in 2020 alone. Cancer has many symptoms, causes, and treatments and can affect any age, race, or gender. Cancer can have a devastating impact on those affected by it, both physically and emotionally. According to the National Cancer Institute (2020), cancer can cause physical pain and discomfort, fatigue, and a disruption in normal daily activities. In addition, cancer can cause emotional distress, including fear, anxiety, and depression. It can also lead to financial burdens, such as the costs of treatment, lost wages, and other expenses related to managing the illness. Cancer can also significantly impact families (Lu et al., 2023; Meacham Lu et al., 2016). It can cause stress, anxiety, and depression in family members and disrupt everyday family life (Lu et al., 2023; Meacham Lu et al., 2016).