Severe Mental Illness and Cancer – A Program for Psychiatric Patients in a Cancer Center

Abstract

Introduction

The prevalence of severe mental illness (SMI) is estimated to be 4%. There are increased risk factors for cancer in SMI patients. People with SMI have deficient access and referral to routine cancer screening and psychiatric illness is often associated to late oncological diagnosis.

Objectives

Characterize the population of SMI patients that undergoes oncological treatment; establish a comparison with the general population in terms of stage at the time of diagnosis and the type of follow-up that ensued; characterize the psychiatric care available to these patients; propose the necessary changes to ensure adequate healthcare for SMI patients.

Aims

To assess and improve the quality of oncological care for SMI patients in our hospital.

Methods

We analyzed the data from SMI patients suffering from SMI observed by our group during a 12 month period.

Results

Low percentage of SMI patients being treated in our center regarding general rates; surprisingly high referral time to psychiatry unity; good compliance with treatments and appointments; have mostly been submitted to the standard oncological protocols of treatment.

Conclusion

In spite of serious psychiatric co-morbidity and psychosocial deficits, our SMI patients are able for standard cancer treatment and present sufficient compliance. We value the help of family members and social workers. We have to insist in educational sessions and psychiatric screening procedures for oncological teams. It is also fundamental to implement educational programs for mental health centers in Lisbon in order to sensitize for cancer risks among SMI and alert for the pivotal role of mental health staff, namely the psychiatrists.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.