Why behavioral health plays a critical role in the cancer journey

A cancer patient’s mental health, lifestyle habits and support systems often shape how well they respond to treatment and how much care they need.  

Depression, for example, can increase cancer mortality by 23% to 83%.³ Anxiety can disrupt sleep. And chronic stress can lower immune function.⁴   

The financial costs are equally steep. A cancer patient with an anxiety or depression diagnosis incurs an additional $17,496 in health care spend a year, a variation that may be attributed to more ED visits, longer hospital stays and poorer treatment adherence.⁵ 

Fortunately, proactive and personalized behavioral interventions can improve psychological and physical outcomes for cancer patients.⁶ The path forward then turns to integrating oncology and behavioral care. Here’s how: 

Patients with cancer experience emotional and social needs that are inseparable from their disease. Treatment side effects, financial strain and stress are all intertwined in their daily reality. 

Research shows there’s room for improvement in treating the whole person when it comes to cancer care. Just 62% of patients receive mandated distress screenings,⁷ and 40% of those who want mental health support never get it.⁸

Integrated models can fill these gaps. When oncologists, behavioral health specialists and other care managers are embedded into oncology workflows, the chance that a patient receives behavioral health support increases dramatically.⁹  

This is the model encapsulated in the Optum Cancer Support Program. Oncology nurses are supported by oncologists, social workers and pharmacists. They help to: 

• Surface and address anxiety, caregiver strain, financial pressure and social risk at intake and throughout the care continuum 
• Provide cancer education, symptom management strategies, pain management and palliative support 
• Find and coordinate care for patients to address their physical, social and emotional concerns 

Even when behavioral health support is available, cancer patients can’t always access it. Fatigue, nausea, transportation logistics and lack of childcare can conspire to make in-person appointments feel out of reach.

It’s possible to change that equation and eliminate many barriers to care with virtual and digital tools such as: 

• Apps that promote self-care, stress relief and other behavioral health resources
• Digital coaching
• Online scheduling
• Teletherapy

Research shows that remote, web-based interventions can significantly improve anxiety, depression and fatigue in patients with cancer compared with standard care alone.¹⁰

Employee assistance programs (EAP) can be layered with broader behavioral health benefits to help support everyday needs. Between clinic visits, digital behavioral health tools can also provide a critical layer of monitoring and support to keep care teams informed and help cancer patients feel more in control of their health.

For example, devices such as smart watches that passively capture heart rate, activity and sleep metrics offer a continuous view of a patient’s status.  This is a popular practice, with patient adherence rates of over 85%.¹¹

Traditional incentive systems like step challenges and points-based programs are appropriate tools for generally healthy employees trying to stay well. But they can fail to meet the needs of, and even alienate, cancer patients dealing with treatment-related fatigue, nausea and taste changes.

At the same time, nutrition and physical activity are key components of cancer care. Regular movement during and after cancer treatment is associated with improved function and better quality of life.¹² And proper nutrition is critical to avoid malnourishment, a common concern during cancer treatment.¹³  

The issue isn’t whether to offer these supports —it’s how. It might mean fatigue-aware movement plans during chemotherapy weeks, virtual access to oncology-trained registered dietitians who understand treatment-related side effects or early referral to cancer rehabilitation or physical therapy to meet members where they are in their cancer journey.  

Cancer can be a lonely experience. More than one-third of cancer patients experience moderate to severe loneliness, especially those with financial hardships or limited social support.¹⁴ This social isolation is linked to worse psychological outcomes and lower treatment engagement.¹⁵

Support programs, whether digital communities, peer support groups or one-on-one guidance from licensed professionals, help cancer survivors cope with stress, side effects, fear of recurrence and grief.¹⁶ Peer support in particular is valuable as it connects cancer survivors with people who know exactly what they are going through.  

Optum provides household-supportive programs that provide connections to support groups and advice for those with chronic conditions, a peer-to-peer support app and more.  

The impact of cancer on caregivers also should not be overlooked. The majority of cancer patients are cared for by a family member who faces their own mental and physical health struggles as a result.¹⁷ Left unaddressed, severe and chronic stress places caregivers at higher risk for anxiety, depression, burnout, heart issues, digestive problems, sleep disturbances, and impaired memory and focus.  

To support both patients and those who care for them, it’s essential to offer a comprehensive solution like the Optum Employee Assistance Program, which provides tailored resources to help caregivers navigate life’s challenges and protect their overall well‑being.

Cancer is a life-changing event. It can reshape relationships, health and finances and call up complex emotions of isolation, grief and guilt. When oncology and behavioral health treatment are siloed in cancer care, patients with unaddressed behavioral health needs face worse clinical outcomes and higher health care costs.  

On the flip side, when clinical and behavioral needs are integrated, it can mean the difference between solely treating the disease versus treating the whole person.

The cancer care support you need 

Optum Oncology Solutions integrate the emotional and behavioral pieces of cancer care so your members are always supported.