Cancer and mental health: The 10 actions on which the National Institute for Cancer is committed to | Nurses.com | IDE profession

This is one of the points that the National Institute for the Fighting Cancer (INCA) identifies in its assessment. In addition, 20 years after its creation: it is still necessary and always improving access to the prevention and screening of cancers and their management. Moreover, With, among the essential issues, that of mental health. For example, Wishing to engage in the great national cause 2025. Moreover, dedicated to mental health, the INCA details the 10 key actions it implements to promote access to care of people with mental disorders. For example,

The links between mental health. However, cancer appear on two levels, recalls the Inci: the existence of mental or psychiatric disorders can complicate the use of screening and care actions, and cancer itself can lead to a deterioration in the patient’s mental health and his loved ones. In addition, A third of cancer mental health: 10 actions patients report their mental health 5 years after cancerhe notes thus. and “ The mortality rate by cancer in people followed for a psychiatric disorder is twice as high as in the general population », With the risk that mental health gets worse with the discovery of pathology. And to give an example. that of colorectal cancer screening, already little done in the general population and which is even less so by those who suffer from a severe mental disorder. Only 18.6% participated in the 12 months preceding the implementation of cancer treatment.

10 key actions already implemented

The ten key points of the Inca thus target the taking into account of mental health in all dimensions of cancerology:

• Awareness. train oncology and psychiatry professionals thanks to a cross -training project to promote their collaboration.
• Simplify access to screening for people living with a mental disorder via pilot projects such cancer mental health: 10 actions as Udapei74. which offers a toolbox multiplying the supports (video, games, posters, etc.) dedicated to prevention in people with intellectual disability.
• Adapt the care courses, by defining practical and organizational benchmarks to guide patient care.
• Make information more accessible to everyone. thanks to simplified language guides or the creation of a digital documentary space facilitating access to all resources.
• Improve the detection of psychic weaknesses in cancer patients: Inca has notably produced a national benchmark on identifying. early treatment for mental suffering of cancer patients. His goal is ” to help healthcare professionals detect and assess the needs of cancer patients in mental suffering situations ».
• Support the transition after the treatments: close the active care phase. inform the patient about any sequelae, accompany him in his return to social and active life …, in order to avoid the feeling of isolation.
• Strengthen psychological monitoring of people with cancer. The cancer mental health: 10 actions overall care pathway. a system put in place as part of the ten -year cancer strategy, thus allows ” to prescribe assessment and psychological consultations reimbursed during the 12 months following the end of the treatments. »
• Better take into account the needs of caregivers. with the establishment of an observatory of caregivers responsible for identifying them, knowing their needs, identifying the available resources and ” Promote suitable support devices ».
• Develop research in psycho-oncology. The Inca launched in 2022 a research chair in this area to increase. disseminate knowledge on the ” adjustment process Patients and their loved ones against cancer.
• And support research in human sciences and sociology, epidemiology and public health. Between 2018. 2024, 8 projects were financed thanks to the Inca, including one on smoking withdrawal in people with mental disorders, for a total of 2 million euros.