Actress Daisy Edgar-Jones, 22, from Hulu’s ‘Normal People’ Urges People Battling Cancer to ‘Get the Support You Need’

The actresses urged those affected by a cancer diagnosis to "come forward and get the support you need,” and not suffer in silence. Macmillan’s research found that “over a quarter of a million people with cancer felt they had no-one to turn to amid the health crisis,” reported Yahoo! UK. The COVID-19 pandemic has been hard for people battling cancer, who are isolated from loved ones and need to take extra safety precautions for their health during this unprecedented time.

Edgar-Jones said in the video: "I know first-hand how vital good support is when a loved one has cancer. Macmillan has specially trained teams who are on hand round-the-clock, every day to help….I'd urge you to get in touch with them if you need any support at all whether to share your worries with a friendly voice, for guidance on your finances or to get answers to day-to-day questions."

Treating Depression During Cancer

Some people may experience depression with a cancer diagnosis. Dr. Scott Irwin, the Director of Supportive Care Services at Cedars-Sinai, said in a previous interview, “It's normal to feel scared and anxious after a cancer diagnosis but for some people about 15 percent they develop a major depressive disorder.”

During a depressive episode, Dr. Irwin said that “anti-depressants are considered over and above talk therapy. But certain kinds of anti-depressants may not be appropriate for cancer patients. For instance, some medications may lower the effectiveness of hormone therapy.”

Related: Fans Say Actress Kristen Bell's Honesty About Depression Helps Them: "Thank You for Always Being Open About Your Struggle With Mental Health"

"Depression and stress make it harder to treat cancer, and make it harder to tolerate the treatments," said Dr. Irwin. “But taking care of someone's mental health can also impact their cancer care outcomes.”

Treating Depression After a Cancer Diagnosis

Finding Support Through Cancer

Support networks and therapy can help when dealing with a cancer diagnosis and treatment, particularly during a pandemic. Ovarian cancer survivor Kelly Sargent sought help from support groups as she battled cancer. In a previous interview, Sargent said, "I started going online not only to find information but also support groups and stories from survivors."

Related: The Benefit of Support Networks for Cancer Patients

For the loved ones of people diagnosed with cancer, a diagnosis is also difficult and life-altering. Camila Legaspi lost her mother to breast cancer when she was only in high school and found therapy to be a helpful way to cope and keep perspective. Working with her therapist, she said in a previous interview, gave her the strength to accept that “everything would be okay.”

"Therapy saved my life,” said Legaspi. “I was dealing with some really intense anxiety and depression at that point. It just changed my life because I was so drained by all the negativity that was going on. Going to a therapist helped me realize that there was still so much out there for me … that I still had my family, that I still had my siblings. The reality is when you lose someone, it's really, really, really hard. And it's totally OK to talk to someone, and I'm so happy that I talked to my therapist."

"Therapy Saved My Life": After Losing A Loved One, Don't Be Afraid To Ask For Help

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