Letter to the Editor: Confronting the psychological challenges of skin cancer: A qualitative study investigating patient's experience of a skin cancer diagnosis and support received

Cancer care pathways in the United Kingdom have been shown to poorly support the psychological needs of patients. 1 Macmillan Cancer Support. Commissioning guidance for cancer psychosocial support: a guide to improving psychologically informed care and clinical outcomes for adults affected by cancer in London; 2020 [cited October 2022]. Available from: 〈https://www.healthylondon.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Refreshed-February-2020-Guidance-doc-Psychological-support-for-people-affected-by-cancer-.pdf〉. Google Scholar 58% of cancer patients believe their on-going psychological and emotional needs are not met to the same extent as their physical health and are therefore often underserved. 2 Macmillan Cancer Support. Worried sick: the emotional impact of cancer; 2014 [cited August 2022]. Available from: 〈http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Documents/GetInvolved/Campaigns/Campaigns/Impact_of_cancer_english.pdf〉. Google Scholar Even though the Health and Social Care Act (2012) mandates that patients’ mental health must be given equal priority to physical health, the NHS does not encourage equivalent access to mental health care, with routine screening for psychological distress during cancer treatment not commonplace. 3 Glover-Thomas N. The Health and Social Care Act 2012. Med Law Int. 2013; 13: 279-297 Crossref Scopus (6) Google Scholar As concern over physical symptoms often masks psychological distress, combined with limited support within the NHS, patients see unhappiness and distress as an expected cancer side effect rather than as a separate diagnosis of depression. 4 Loquai C. Scheurich V. Syring N. et al. Screening for distress in routine oncological care—a survey in 520 melanoma patients. PLoS ONE. 2013; 8 Crossref Scopus (40) Google Scholar Without properly acknowledging, understanding, measuring and treating these associated psychosocial impairments, it is impossible to deliver the best quality cancer care and leaves patients with unmet needs. 5 Nolte S. van der Mei S.H. Strehl-Schwarz K. et al. Comparison of patient-reported need of psycho-oncologic support and the doctor's perspective: how do they relate to disease severity in melanoma patients?. Psycho-Oncology. 2015; 25: 1271-1277 Crossref PubMed Scopus (9) Google Scholar It is therefore the aim of this study to investigate the unmet psychosocial needs of a skin cancer population in a tertiary plastic surgery service.