How Do I Cope With Cancer?

Understanding Emotional Distress and Accessing Support During Cancer Treatment

Cancer affects more than just the body—it touches every part of your life, from how you sleep, to how you feel, to how you connect with others. Emotional responses to cancer are valid, and distress is not a sign of weakness. It’s a signal that support might be needed.

This blog walks through a simple yet powerful screening process used in our clinic to check how someone is coping emotionally during their cancer journey.

Why Do We Screen for Emotional Distress?

Emotional wellbeing is closely linked to physical recovery. By understanding how you're coping, we can help connect you with the right support early—before things become overwhelming.

This screening helps:

  • Improve treatment outcomes and adherence

  • Encourage self-awareness and self-care

  • Support mental health before, during, and after treatment

  • Address underlying stressors (like finances or relationships)

Step 1: Understand Your Symptoms

Have a look at the list below. How much the following symptoms have caused distress over the past 1–2 weeks (on a scale from 0 = no distress to 10 = high distress): 

  • Sadness or depression

  • Anxiety or excessive worry

  • Difficulty sleeping

  • Loss of interest in hobbies or daily life

  • Fatigue or low energy beyond treatment effects

  • Social withdrawal

  • Trouble concentrating

  • Feeling hopeless or overwhelmed

  • Low self-worth

These are common experiences, but that doesn’t mean you have to face them alone.

Step 2: Know Your Distress Level

Score 7–10 (High Distress):
If you're experiencing urgent emotional distress or safety concerns:

  • Seek help from Emergency Services (000) or Lifeline (13 11 14)

  • Contact a CATT team via your local hospital

  • Use a safety planning tool like Beyond Blue's “Beyond Now”
    For non-urgent high distress, referrals to hospital psychiatry or psychology services are encouraged.

Score 4–6 (Moderate Distress):
This may indicate a need for support services such as:

  • A trauma-informed psychologist (private or hospital-based)

  • A hospital social worker or Cancer Council counsellor

  • Cancer-specific support centres like the Cancer Mind Centre

Score 0–3 (Low Distress):
You may benefit from lighter support such as:

  • Mummy’s Wish – for mums with cancer

  • WeCan – cancer supportive care

  • Counterpart – peer support services

Support by

Cancer Type

We’ve compiled a list of targeted support services to match your diagnosis:

A Note to Medical Practitioners

This screening protocol is designed for routine use in medical appointments. It takes 1–5 minutes and supports timely intervention. It also helps identify underlying psychosocial challenges, like financial stress or relationship strain, that could impact treatment.

We’re Here to Help

At Mind in Mind Psychology, we take a trauma-informed approach to care. Whether you're seeking help from a trauma psychologist, looking for pain management in Melbourne, or needing support from a clinical psychologist, our team is here to help you navigate the emotional side of cancer treatment.

Written by Dr. Jennifer Menon, Clinical Psychologist

BA (Psych), DipPsych, DClinPsych, MAPS

Jennifer Menon