Cancer survivors face high rates of anxiety and depression post-treatment

Cancer survivors often face significant psychological challenges even after completing medical treatment. A meta-analysis published in ‘Psycho-Oncology’ in 2025, covering 147 studies and 135,015 individuals across 31 countries, indicates that nearly one-quarter of patients who survive at least three months post-diagnosis struggle with anxiety, an equal number face depression, and over 34 percent experience sleep disorders.

Dr. Milena Lachowicz, a psycho-oncologist at Gdańsk Medical University, emphasizes that psychological support is critical not only during active treatment but also after it concludes. Survivors frequently deal with the fear of recurrence, complications from the disease, and the side effects of treatment. These mental health struggles can hinder a patient's ability to reintegrate into family life and the workforce. In Poland, there is currently a shortage of thousands of specialists needed to provide this essential psycho-oncological care.