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Whole-Person Cancer Care: Bringing Mental Health Support into the Treatment Fold

By AON Staff Writer

July 24, 2026 in Education, Patient-centric Care

Cancer care isn’t just about cancer. Cancer impacts a patient physically, but the emotional toll can also be just as great—and not just on the patient. It can affect the patient’s spouse, partner, caregivers, siblings, and other close relationships.

That’s why cancer care has evolved to address the mental health aspects of cancer treatment in the form of whole-person care.

Mental Health Issues a Common Challenge

Mental health and emotional challenges affect about one-third of people with cancer. These can include anxiety, depression, and trouble thinking or concentrating, as well as broader struggles such as persistent worry, low mood, or feeling overwhelmed by the illness.

These challenges often affect more than just the patient, with stress and emotional strain extending to caregivers and close family members. Because these experiences are closely linked, experts increasingly recognize the patient and caregiver as a shared unit of care. Addressing them together can lead to better support, earlier intervention, and improved overall well-being during and after treatment.

Depression and Anxiety Linked to Worse Outcomes

A meta-analysis of depression in cancer patients found estimates of prevalence ranging from 8% to 24%, depending on the setting and measurement method. The same review showed that depression was highest during treatment at 14% by diagnostic interview and 27% by self-report.

Another review found that depression and anxiety are linked to worse cancer outcomes. People with these conditions had a slightly higher risk of developing cancer, and cancer patients with depression or anxiety had higher cancer-specific and overall mortality. The strongest associations were seen when depression or anxiety was clinically diagnosed, especially for cancer survival.

The Rise of Whole-Person Care

AON supports patients throughout their cancer journey with ongoing care coordination from experienced oncology clinicians and support staff. This includes helping manage physical, emotional and psychosocial needs, and acting as primary point of contact for questions and guidance across all three.

Whole-person care may include medication and diagnosis education, symptom monitoring, nutrition counseling, and help with barriers to care such as transportation or financial concerns. Care coordinators also help patients understand their personalized plan and keep communication flowing between providers.

Meeting a patient’s comprehensive needs is why AON recently entered strategic partnerships with Colla Health and CanCare. These relationships reflect AON’s commitment to delivering patient-centered, whole-person care by combining advanced cancer treatment with individualized peer support from trained cancer survivors and caregivers.

AON’s partnership with Colla Health will expand nationwide by the end of 2026. Colla Health’s oncology-focused behavioral health model integrates mental health support into cancer practice and patient journey, helping patients build coping strategies, improve quality of life, and navigate the emotional challenges that often accompany diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. It connects eligible patients with behavioral health specialists through telehealth and phone-based services, coordinating care with the oncology team and helping ensure patients receive support at every stage of treatment and recovery.

The strategic partnership with CanCare builds on the success of pilot programs at four AON partner practices: Genesis Cancer and Blood Institute, Florida Oncology and Hematology, and Hematology Oncology Clinic, and Oncology Consultants. The program connects patients with trained survivors and caregiver volunteers who provide emotional support, encouragement, and practical guidance throughout their cancer journeys. Positive feedback from patients and care teams demonstrated the value of integrating peer support into community oncology care.

Together, AON, CanCare, and Colla Health support patients’ physical, emotional, and social well-being while enhancing the overall patient experience.

Mental Health Treatment Equally Important

Mental health is not a side issue in oncology: It affects quality of life, treatment adherence, and potentially survival.

When emotional and practical support are built into the treatment experience, patients may feel less alone and better able to focus on what comes next. Care that addresses both physical and emotional needs can help support caregivers, who often carry a heavy burden of their own. With the right support in place, cancer treatment can feel more manageable, and make the path forward a little clearer.

Learn more about AON’s partnership with CanCare, here, and Colla Health, here.