opinion: the hidden emotional toll on people living with cancer and their caregivers
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cancer doesn’t affect one person—it affects entire families. the emotional and psychological impacts ripple outward, touching every part of a person’s life.
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may marks both mental health awareness month and national caregiver awareness month—two observances that, when considered together, point to something we don’t talk about nearly enough: the emotional reality of cancer.
cancer is often understood as a physical disease. it’s diagnosed, staged, and treated within the healthcare system. but for the millions of canadians who will hear the words “you have cancer”, and for the loved ones who stand beside them, the experience extends far beyond the physical.
it is emotional. it is psychological. and often, it is deeply isolating.
today, 2 in 5 canadians are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. that means nearly every family, workplace, and community will be touched by it. and while treatment plans often begin quickly, support for the emotional and mental impact is far less consistent.
the emotional toll of cancer is significant. research shows that nearly 1 in 5 people diagnosed with cancer experience clinical levels of anxiety, while approximately 13 per cent experience clinical depression. many more report ongoing distress, fear, uncertainty, and feelings of isolation—challenges that can persist long after treatment ends. in fact, even years after treatment, about 1 in 5 cancer survivors continue to experience anxiety or depressive symptoms.
these challenges affect far more than emotional well-being alone. they can impact relationships, work, identity, financial stability, and a person’s ability to move forward after treatment.
what’s less visible, but equally important, is the experience of caregivers.
across canada, approximately 7.8 million people—about 1 in 4 canadians—provide care to a loved one with a long-term health condition, including cancer. in many cases, caregivers are partners, parents, children, friends, and coworkers who quietly take on the emotional and practical responsibilities that come with supporting someone through illness.
sponsored by:
wellspring cancer support
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they attend appointments, coordinate care, manage medications, provide emotional support, and often juggle work and family responsibilities at the same time. many also experience financial strain, reducing work hours or stepping away from employment altogether to care for someone they love.
and yet, their own mental health and emotional needs are frequently overlooked.
at wellspring cancer support foundation, we see this every day. cancer doesn’t affect one person—it affects entire families. the emotional and psychological impacts ripple outward, touching every part of a person’s life.
medical treatment is essential, but it is only one part of the cancer experience. people also need support to manage the emotional and psychological challenges that come with cancer: spaces where they can talk openly, learn coping strategies, connect with others who understand, and regain a sense of control during a profoundly uncertain time.
as we recognize mental health awareness month and national caregiver awareness month, we have an opportunity to broaden how we think about cancer care in this country.
supportive care is not an “extra.” it is a critical part of helping people live well with, through, and beyond cancer. and as cancer rates continue to rise, the need for accessible emotional and psychological support will only continue to grow.
no one should have to navigate cancer alone. and no caregiver should feel invisible while doing it.
if we are serious about improving outcomes for people affected by cancer, we must recognize that care doesn’t end with treatment—and that healing involves far more than the body.
brenda delodder is the ceo at wellspring cancer support foundation.
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