How Common is Adjustment Disorder in Cancer Patients and Will They Accept Help?

What you need to know

• About 13-15% of cancer patients develop adjustment disorder after their diagnosis
• Patients who are employed and those more recently diagnosed are at higher risk
• Nearly two-thirds of patients with adjustment disorder are willing to accept psychological help

Understanding Adjustment Disorder in Cancer

A cancer diagnosis can turn someone’s world upside down. While many people eventually adapt to this life-changing news, some struggle to adjust even months after their diagnosis. This difficulty in adapting is called adjustment disorder - a condition that can significantly impact a person’s quality of life and ability to cope with their illness.

How Common is It?

The research shows that about 13-15% of cancer patients develop adjustment disorder. This means that for every 100 cancer patients, approximately 13 to 15 will experience significant difficulties adjusting to their diagnosis and treatment. This rate is substantial enough to warrant attention from healthcare providers, yet it also shows that most cancer patients do not develop this condition.

Who’s Most at Risk?

Two main factors emerged as significant predictors of adjustment disorder:

1. Employment status: People who were working when diagnosed were about three times more likely to develop adjustment disorder compared to those who weren’t employed
2. Time since diagnosis: Those more recently diagnosed (within 5 years) were at higher risk than those who had been living with cancer for longer

This suggests that balancing work responsibilities with cancer treatment may create additional stress, and that people generally develop better coping strategies as time passes after their diagnosis.

The Good News About Treatment

An encouraging finding from this research is that about 65% of patients diagnosed with adjustment disorder were willing to accept psychological treatment. This high acceptance rate suggests that when proper support is offered, most patients are open to receiving help.

What This Means for You

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer, it’s important to:

• Recognize that difficulty adjusting is common and normal
• Be especially mindful of adjustment challenges if you’re trying to balance work with treatment
• Know that the first few years after diagnosis may be particularly challenging
• Remember that professional help is available and most people find it beneficial
• Don’t hesitate to discuss emotional struggles with your healthcare team

Conclusions

• Adjustment disorder is a common but not inevitable consequence of cancer diagnosis
• Working patients and those more recently diagnosed should be monitored more closely for adjustment difficulties
• Most patients are open to receiving psychological help when it’s offered