Teenagers diagnosed with cancer often experience significant challenges to their mental health, including anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions. A cancer diagnosis can interrupt their social and psychological development, education, and employment, leading to reduced quality of life and increased risk of anxiety and depression.

Here is a detailed look at the Emotional Impact of Cancer and how our work supports these young people.

Diagnosis:

A cancer diagnosis can be emotionally overwhelming, leading to feelings of worry, anger, guilt, and frustration. It comes as a shock and there is an understandable fear of what the gruelling treament will be like. 
We are there with Tom’s Comfort and Care Kits to show that there is support from the very beginning. These are full of things that these young people won’t know they need yet to help them as they start treatment.

Treatment:

The physical side effects of cancer treatment, such as nausea, fatigue, changes in weight, and hair loss, can affect your self-esteem and body image. These challenges, alongside worry about fertility and future relationships, add to the distress and subsequently affect mental health. 

We are there to help buy new clothes, wigs that make you look like you, new beds and mattresses to help you feel comfortable, washing machines to help keep up with the washing, and new bedding as night sweats add to the washing load. The list is endless, but everything is given to raise self-esteem and remove added pressures.

Social Isolation

For many, being in a hospital for long periods can lead to feelings of isolation. They can feel distanced from friends and family as their paths take different courses. Many wonder what they will have in common with their friends anymore.

We are there to provide IT equipment that will allow them to stay in touch. Hearing from friends and peers helps keep you connected.

Fear of the future:

Teenagers and young adults are already at a tough time in their lives when this shock diagnosis knocks them completely off course. At a time when they are preparing to leave home, start university or careers and plan for their future. However, many wonder what their future will look like now, bringing worry and uncertainty.

We are there to keep them on track. Many of our young people are studying and need support to stay on their courses. We give them access to IT equipment and other courses. One young girl told us we gave her a reason to live after she received her laptop and could start her course.

Losing identity

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can have a significant impact on a young person’s sense of self and identity. They feel different from their friends both physically and emotionally. Many don’t want their friends to see them without hair or eyebrows; they just want to be themselves again. This can cause them to disconnect and isolate themselves from their social groups.

We are there to help these young people regain their confidence. This may be through wigs that actually look like their hair, tattooed eyebrows, and gym equipment to help them rebuild their strength and improve their feelings towards their body image.