A cancer diagnosis changes almost everything—but it doesn’t stop life’s other responsibilities. Bills still arrive. Work still needs attention. Family routines keep going. Trying to keep up with it all while managing treatment can be overwhelming.
Kevin Byrne, MD, psychiatrist and member of the Supportive Oncology and Survivorship team at Huntsman Cancer Institute and Huntsman Mental Health Institute, sees this often.
“I would love it if everyone facing cancer could get a free and clear reprieve from responsibilities, work, and financial stress to focus on their medical care,” he says.
“That’s rarely possible, so people have to find ways to navigate competing demands.”
These overlapping stressors can quickly compound.
“They don’t exist in isolation—they can create cycles where missing work leads to lost income, which makes it harder to afford medications or copays, which can worsen health outcomes,” Byrne explains.
When stress builds on stress
The weight of financial and practical stress can worsen anxiety and make it harder for patients to stay focused on treatment. Emotional health and physical health are closely connected—when one suffers, the other often follows.
That’s why Huntsman Cancer Institute integrates mental health, social work, and supportive oncology services directly into patient care. “Part of my role is helping patients identify which stressors are most urgent and connecting them with resources,” Byrne says. “Sometimes addressing one concrete stressor creates enough relief that patients can begin to tackle the emotional work.”
Finding footholds in the chaos
Support can take many forms:
- Social workers can help patients apply for financial assistance or navigate insurance.
- Occupational therapists can suggest adaptations that make work or daily activities more manageable.
- Support groups offer spaces to process identity shifts with others who truly understand.
“These small footholds matter,” Byrne says. “When we can interrupt even one part of the stress cycle, it creates breathing room for patients to cope with the rest and move forward.”
Compassion is a resource, too
Even with the best planning, moments of instability and fear are inevitable. Byrne encourages patients to allow themselves grace—and to accept help. “It doesn’t come naturally to everyone, especially those who’ve always been the caregiver or provider,” he says. “But support from friends, family, and loved ones is consistently one of the most powerful resources we have.”
Cancer care is about more than managing symptoms—it’s about helping people find steadiness when life feels anything but.
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