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Psychological distress can occur in anyone, but understanding the risks for developing problems can help to lead to prevention. According to a recent report in the Archives of Internal Medicine, long-term cancer survivors who developed their condition in adulthood are more likely to experience serious psychological distress.

Science Daily recently reported on this finding, which was part of a study completed by Karen E. Hoffman, M.D., M.H.Sc., of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, and colleagues. Data was gathered in the National Health Interview Survey.

Researchers determined that 5.6 percent of cancer survivors screened positive for severe psychological distress within the previous 30 days. For those without cancer, only 3 percent tested positive for this level of distress. In addition, a history of cancer may affect current mental health in a number of ways.

“Cancer diagnosis and treatment can produce delayed detrimental effects on physical health and functioning such as secondary cancers, cardiac dysfunction, lung dysfunction, infertility, neurological complications and neurocognitive dysfunction,” the authors wrote.

“A cancer history can also affect social adaptation, employment opportunities and insurance coverage. Adjusting to these functional and life limitations may create long-term psychological stress.”

The study also revealed a total of 9 percent of long-term cancer survivors and 6 percent of individuals without cancer reported having seen or talked with a mental health professional within the previous 12 months.

One-third of survivors with serious psychological distress reported seeking mental health services. At the same time, 18 percent indicated they could not afford mental heath care during the previous year.

The authors concluded, “Given that cancer survivors with more chronic medical conditions tended to be those most at risk for psychological distress in this study, the findings also underscore the need to integrate medical and behavioral health care for survivors. Specifically, cancer survivorship clinics may benefit from having mental health providers on staff for a multidisciplinary approach to the care of these patients.”