During the summer of 2021, I visited the Cytecare Cancer Hospital in Bangalore, India, to better understand the effect of cancer on people. In the summer of 2016, I received news that my grandfather had passed away. Two years prior to his passing, he had been diagnosed with colon cancer. What hurts my family the most was the fact that we were unable to be with my grandfather in his final moments, as we were living in Germany at the time (my grandparents lived in India). However, it was not until 2018 that I discovered the cause of my grandfather’s death. I stayed up late at night for several weeks, thinking about him. I reminisced about the times I spent with him; whether it was cheerfully picking me up from the school bus stop or making me my favorite food every time I would visit his house, he had always been a supportive and loving grandparent. I had always respected his integrity, honesty, hard-working nature, and perseverance. He had truly inspired me throughout my childhood. I thought about what I could have possibly done to help him when he was in pain - nothing. But then I started thinking about what kind of treatments he could have received to battle cancer. Were all the best facilities accessible to him? Was he being treated by good doctors? If he did receive treatments, what were they? Were there better forms of treatments that existed? I asked myself all of these questions and I realized I had answers to none of them. 

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At the hospital, I noted many recommendations that were made by the staff to cancer patients. Mental health issues become increasingly prevalent among cancer patients, often due to their helplessness. However, in spite of dealing with mental health issues, they often leave them untreated, which can lead to further pain and distress. 

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On the fourth day of my internship, I was able to meet Ms. Rajeshwari, who works for the psycho-oncology department for the Cytecare hospital. As someone who had a close family member who battled cancer, I was able to understand how much a person’s mental health can be impacted after being diagnosed with cancer. Not only the patient but also the family members can be affected. Ms. Rajeshwari explained that as a psycho-oncologist, it is her responsibility to provide mental and emotional health support to both the patients and the families who are dealing with cancer. She said that in India, there is a general taboo when it comes to talking about mental health and seeking mental help. People are often deemed to be “insane” or “mental” when they are battling depression and anxiety. 

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However, for those who are willing to seek help, psycho-oncologists like Ms. Rajeshwari help them using evidence-based counseling. They follow the NCCN guidelines when practicing. In the early 2000s, an important vital that was measured while treating patients was distress. They are measured with the help of forms that are given to the patients. The forms list several questions, asking them to rate their levels of negative thoughts and sadness. Based on the results of this form, counseling is given accordingly. Ms. Rajeshwari also stated that the cost of seeking help from psycho-oncologists is significantly lower in the Cytecare hospital. Other practitioners may charge high prices, but Cytecare believes in the need to support patients and families mentally. When I asked Ms. Rajeshwari about the challenges she faces when it comes to counseling patients, she said that the end -of- life care support is one of the most difficult types of counseling. This requires preparing the family members as well as the patient for death and dealing with the pain that comes with it. To all those who deal with cancer or have loved ones who are battling cancer, it is extremely important to deem mental health as important. Mental health becomes intertwined with cancer treatment, so keeping your loved ones close becomes vital. 
 

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