06/12/2026
A joint report from Iowa Public Radio and KFF Health News follows cervical cancer survivor Morgan Newman, who finished treatment only to find that the psychological weight of survivorship — fear of recurrence, grief over infertility, feeling stuck while friends moved on — had no place in her care plan. Studies show cancer survivors are more likely to experience anxiety and depression that can last years after treatment ends, yet mental health support remains scarce, especially in rural states like Iowa where cancer rates are among the highest in the country.
Why it Matters: Cancer Nation's own research is cited: roughly a third of survivors who have finished treatment report anxiety about recurrence and not feeling like themselves, and only 1 in 5 had seen a mental health professional. CEO Shelley Fuld Nasso told reporters the shortage of therapists who truly understand cancer's physical and emotional toll is a core part of the problem.
Due to advancements in treatment and screening, more Americans are surviving cancer. But many are left with lingering mental health challenges like anxiety and depression.
