title: Improving the recognition and treatment of cancer-related posttraumatic stress disorder.
abstract: Life-threatening illness has been identified as a stressor that can precipitate posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Major advances in cancer treatment have led to increased survival periods. At the same time, there is a growing awareness of the psychological impact of cancer diagnosis and treatment on the patient. Cancer survivors report that cancer can elicit symptoms of traumatic stress. When cancer-related PTSD is untreated, medical and psychiatric morbidity increase. Despite the prevalence, impact, and morbidity of cancer-related PTSD, access to mental health care in cancer patients remains limited. It is important to increase mental health providers' awareness of cancer-related PTSD, given rising cancer rates and the potential for enhancing quality of life. This article presents an overview of the recognition, diagnosis, management, and follow-up of cancer-related PTSD for the mental health clinician.
authors.affiliation: Baylor College of Medicine and Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 1977 Butler Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA. frenchro@bcm.edu
authors.forename: Lindsay N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: French-Rosas
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moye
authors.forename: Aanand D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Naik
mesh_terms: D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000639:trends*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*