BeiGene Calls for Greater Integration of Mental Health in Cancer Care After New Survey Reveals Gaps/Barriers for Patients and Survivors

BeiGene, a global biotechnology company, is convening diverse stakeholders to amplify the mental health needs of the cancer community during an event hosted for patient advocates and scientists attending the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition in New Orleans. In collaboration with Cancer Support Community (CSC), the company will preview new national survey findings¹, including that 60 percent of individuals impacted by cancer who experienced emotional distress were not referred to a mental health professional by their cancer care team, and one in five who specifically wanted mental health support did not receive it.

“The isolation, stress and access issues experienced by cancer patients point us to a truth that was already self-evident within the cancer community, which is that mental healthcare matters,” said Dr. Christiane Langer, “CSC’s findings underscore the importance and urgency of this conversation in a post-COVID environment.”

“Advocacy organizations like Cancer Support Community have been engaged in this work for quite some time, and BeiGene is committed to working with CSC and other stakeholders to identify and provide solutions that address the holistic needs of patients,” said Maia Thrift-Perry, Global Advocacy Director, BeiGene.

With support from BeiGene, the online survey was conducted as part of CSC’s flagship research study, the Cancer Experience Registry, and included more than 600 U.S. cancer patients and survivors who self-identified as having faced emotional or mental health concerns. Findings illuminated key themes and challenges:

• Emotional Distress is Prevalent Across the Cancer Continuum: While highest during diagnosis, treatment, and recurrence; even those who are in post-treatment or have no current evidence of disease often experience some form of emotional distress.
• Significant Barriers to Mental Health Care Exist: Individual viewpoints (i.e., beliefs that emotional distress will resolve on its own, discomfort discussing feelings) and access issues (e.g., financial barriers to treatment and telehealth, long appointment wait times, mental health professional shortages) are among the barriers reported.
• Interventions to Complement Both Medication and Counseling are Desired: While 58 percent of respondents received care from a mental health professional, and 48 percent were prescribed depression or anxiety medication, many respondents endorsed other services and activities to help reduce distress and improve emotional well-being, such as exercise (66%) and meditation classes (62%), nutrition programs (61%), and support groups (60%).
• Pre-existing Vulnerability to Anxiety/Depression is Not the Only Risk Factor: In addition to symptom burden and impact, key patient concerns including healthcare team communication, relationships and intimacy, body image and healthy lifestyle are important considerations in understanding risk for anxiety and depression among patients and survivors.

"For 40 years, the Cancer Support Community has been a relentless ally for anyone impacted by cancer,” said CSC CEO Debbie Weir. “As part of our mission, we are dedicated to inspiring change that improves the cancer experience by engaging in research that sheds light on the realities of coping with a cancer diagnosis. We are pleased to partner with BeiGene to raise awareness about the mental health challenges faced by people living with cancer.”