Pancreatic cancer is devastating diagnosis and it’s normal to experience strong emotions like anxiety, depression, existential distress, and trouble sleeping.
What patients may not realize is how biological factors caused by cancer can influence and intensify these symptoms. According to Travis Daniel, PsyD, an oncology health psychologist at UW Health, emerging research suggests that the body’s immune response to pancreatic cancer may contribute to depression and sleep disturbances, sometimes even before the cancer is diagnosed
“While psychological distress is common across all cancer types, patients with pancreatic cancer often experience greater severity and earlier onset of symptoms, particularly depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance and cognitive changes, and what’s unique is that these may actually be part of the disease process itself,” Daniel said.
Daniel will talk about mental wellness and the support offered by UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center’s oncology behavioral health and psychology team during the upcoming Pancreas Cancer Awareness Night, hosted Nov. 20 at the Memorial Union in Madison. This free community education event will include talks by pancreatic cancer care providers, researchers, patients and advocates. UW Carbone’s volunteer Pancreas Cancer Task Force is hosting.
Pancreatic cancer is the 10th most common cancer in the U.S., and it is typically diagnosed in later stages after noticeable symptoms start to occur. The current five-year survival rate is about 13%, though new treatment research continues to provide incremental improvements to that outlook.
Daniel came to UW Health as part of an expansion of the oncology behavioral health services available to Carbone patients. The psychologists on this team specialize in using evidence-based strategies to help patients cope with challenging emotions and see patients after an initial diagnosis, during treatment or after they’ve finished active treatment.
Difficult emotions are expected and normal with a cancer diagnosis, and Daniel said coping is not about trying to get rid of these emotions but rather learning how to “become comfortable with uncomfortable emotions” so they become more manageable and allow patients to focus on their sense of purpose and what matters most to them.
The oncology behavioral health psychologists also stay in close contact with a patient’s entire treatment team to ensure the patient is supported as their mental well-being ebbs and flows with every change in treatment level.
“Cancer care is inherently interdisciplinary, it really has to be to be effective, and behavioral health clinicians play a key role in improving quality of life,” Daniel said.
He takes a personalized approach with patients, asking about their goals for treatment and what is important to them in life so they can find meaning and fulfillment even in an extremely challenging time. In addition to emotional distress, cancer also can impact a patient’s sense of identity and their relationships.
“Cancer often brings up these really important and profound questions about our identity, our mortality, our meaning and purpose in life,” he said. “Helping patients navigate these innately complex topics is deeply fulfilling for me.”