A Need for Grounded Mental Health Interventions to Reduce Cancer Stigma

Abstract

AbstractNineteen million people were diagnosed with cancer, and almost ten million cancer deaths were recorded worldwide in 2020. The extent of cancer stigmatisation can be as prevalent as 80%. 24% of advanced cancer patients have been diagnosed with an anxiety or depressive disorder. The aim is to provide valuable plans of how it may be conceptually possible to form an intervention from a public health perspective. Preliminary observations identified a gap in research of a novel framework for cancer stigma. It is hoped this knowledge will build the foundations to develop an explanatory evidence-based theoretical model for improving the understanding, evaluation and planning of cancer stigma. Less than 6% of current studies are aimed at actually implementing interventions into practise. Using the Health Stigma and Discrimination Framework as an example, whilst drawing upon the independently existing theoretical work on stigma mechanisms and mental health intervention strategies, widening the field of exploration, through mixed method analysis concerning cancer stigma to address the barriers at person, provider, and societal levels, will expand upon the initial application of theories and suggest ways of countering the broader attitudes and beliefs. Guiding future evidence-based initiatives, designed to target and address the many levels at which, cancer stigma can derive. It holds the potential to map out public health directives and strategies, targeting such a multidimensional facet, intricately interwoven across a myriad of levels, being able to support a rationale as to the origins of stigma.