Stress and Anxiety Surrounding Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Diagnoses

Although nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is highly treatable, receiving a diagnosis often causes significant emotional distress. Up to one in four newly diagnosed cancer patients experience depression, and nearly all report some level of cancer worry. Anxiety may be worsened by the visibility of tumors—particularly on the face—and the possibility of recurrence or new cancers. Stress can also affect the immune system, potentially influencing cancer development and recovery. Patients undergoing facial surgery often struggle with self-consciousness, especially younger patients or those with a prior history of anxiety or depression.

Coping strategies vary, but many patients rely on avoidance behaviors, which may heighten distress and reduce adherence to medical care. Supportive interventions, open communication with physicians, and seeking social support can improve well-being. Physicians should ask about emotional health, as untreated distress is linked with worse outcomes, lower adherence, and higher health costs. Addressing psychological needs alongside medical care helps patients manage anxiety, cope with long-term monitoring, and maintain better quality of life after diagnosis.

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