Cancer & Serious Mental Illness

Cancer is a worrying topic for anyone. If you’ve got a serious mental illness, cancer might seem particularly scary, isolating or overwhelming.

People with serious mental illness often find it more difficult to get the support they need when it comes to cancer. This can mean their cancers are less likely to be spotted at an earlier and more treatable stage, or that their treatment (if they are diagnosed with cancer) is less successful.

However, there is hope – things are getting better. Many projects are taking place across the country to improve cancer diagnosis and care for people with serious mental illnesses. These include new cancer resources for people with serious mental illnesses, which have been designed by NHS organisations in south London, working closely with people with lived experience.

These co-designed resources cover a range of topics, such as:

• Advice on reducing your risks of cancer

• Understanding cancer screening and the support available to take part in screening

• Coping with a cancer diagnosis and accessing different types of support

• Maintaining your mental health and general wellbeing during cancer treatment

• Planning for appointments and talking about your mental health condition with unfamiliar healthcare professionals

Visit the resources here