Cancer and mental illness

David Lawrence, Kirsten Hancock, S. Kisely

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference paperChapterpeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

© 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel. Over many years, it has been shown that cancer represents a significant proportion of excess mortality for people with mental illness. In this chapter, we probe this relationship in more detail, and examine the progression of factors that play a role in this finding. Against expectations, people with mental illness are no more likely to develop cancer, even though they have higher exposure to major risk factors including smoking, drug and alcohol use, and obesity. However, even though people with mental illness are just as likely to be diagnosed with cancer, they are more likely to die from it. The reasons for this are multifactorial, including lower rates of routine cancer screening (either because it is not recommended or people with mental illness do not follow through on the recommendation to do so), the increased length of time it takes to be diagnosed after presenting with symptoms, more advanced stage at diagnosis including metastatic cancer at diagnosis, and reduced likelihood of surgical intervention. We discuss the complexities associated with providing medical care for people with comorbid psychiatric disorders and the difficulties faced both by people with mental illness and the people who provide them with medical care.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationComorbility of mental and physical disorders
EditorsN Sartorius, RIG Holt, M Maj
Place of PublicationGermany
PublisherKarger AG
Pages88-98
Volume179
ISBN (Print)9783318026047
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015

Publication series

NameKey issues in Mental Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Cancer and mental illness'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this