New scientific publication involving the Cancer Patient Guidance Center – Kapa3 highlights the significant psychological, social, and functional challenges that people living with and beyond cancer continue to face following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The article, entitled “Cancer Survivorship After COVID-19: Psychological Burden, Symptom Experience, and Social Support,” was published in the international peer-reviewed journal Medicina. It examines psychological distress, symptom experience, quality of life, and the protective role of social support among people affected by cancer.
What Did the Study Examine?
The research involved 162 adults diagnosed with cancer in Greece during the post-COVID-19 period. Participants completed validated questionnaires assessing depression, anxiety, stress, health-related quality of life, and perceived social support.
The results revealed a substantial and persistent psychological burden:
- 32.1% of participants reported severe or extremely severe depression.
- 40.1% reported severe or extremely severe anxiety.
- 29% reported severe or extremely severe stress.
The overall quality of life of participants was found to be moderate. Emotional and social functioning were among the most affected areas, while fatigue, insomnia, breathlessness, and financial difficulties emerged as some of the most significant challenges in everyday life.
The Close Relationship Between Mental Health and Quality of Life
One of the study’s key findings was the strong relationship between psychological distress and poorer quality of life.
Higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress were associated with:
- poorer daily and functional performance;
- lower perceived overall health;
- greater symptom severity;
- increased difficulty in emotional and social functioning.
The results demonstrate that psychological well-being cannot be separated from the physical, social, and practical experience of cancer.
Social Support as a Protective Factor
At the same time, the study underlines the important protective role of social support.
Support from family members, friends, and other significant people was associated with better overall health and functioning, lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, and reduced symptom burden.
The findings show that social connection is not simply an additional element of care. It is a meaningful component of recovery, adaptation, and quality of life throughout the cancer journey.
Cancer Survivorship Does Not End When Treatment Is Completed
The findings reinforce the need to move beyond a model of oncology care focused exclusively on treating the disease.
Cancer survivorship requires a comprehensive, person-centred approach that addresses the physical, psychological, social, functional, and financial dimensions of life with and after cancer.
Routine psychological assessment, early identification of emotional distress, timely referral to psycho-oncology services, rehabilitation, social support, and the meaningful involvement of families and caregivers should become integral parts of standard oncology care.
The study also points to the potential value of telehealth and digital support services in improving access to supportive care. At the same time, it highlights inequalities related to digital literacy, healthcare accessibility, and the ability of all patients to benefit equally from digital services.
The experience of the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that effective cancer care must be resilient, accessible, multidisciplinary, and capable of maintaining continuity even during periods of crisis.
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