Supporting the whole person: Mental health and cancer care

How do you support people living with cancer who are also navigating mental health problems? In this powerful and insightful episode, we’re joined by Siobhán, who was diagnosed with breast cancer, and Dr Jeff Hanna, a registered nurse and Lecturer in Clinical Cancer Nursing, to explore just that. Siobhán shares her experience of cancer whilst managing a pre-existing mental health condition. She talks about the support she received and what she wishes healthcare professionals had done differently.

Jeff brings his professional and academic experience to the conversation, offering advice on what best practice really looks like. He highlights how mental health care can be more inclusive and tailored to individual needs, ensuring people living with cancer feel seen, heard and supported.

Content warning: This episode contains conversations about lived experience of cancer which you may find upsetting or triggering. Listener discretion is advised.

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This episode is produced by The Cancer Professionals Podcast in collaboration with UKONS. This series is brought to you by Macmillan Cancer Support. If you work in health or social care, visit www.macmillan.org.uk/learning or The Macmillan education and training open community page for more information about free education and training from Macmillan Cancer Support.

Links from the episode:
EASSi Tool paper: https://cancer.jmir.org/2020/2/e20137