Cancer patients: One third have symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder

Vienna has lost two prominent cultural figures this week, marking a somber period for the city’s artistic community. First, theater maker Shamal Amin died on Wednesday at the age of 62. Shortly after, pop author Joachim Lottmann passed away on Sunday in his adopted home of Vienna due to complications arising from cancer. Both men had established themselves as pivotal voices in their respective fields, leaving behind legacies that extended well beyond local boundaries. The death of Shamal Amin was confirmed by the Brunnenpassage venue to his family and the Austrian Press Agency. Born on March 15, 1964, in Soleymania in southern Kurdistan within Iraq, Amin moved to Vienna in 1991 for political reasons. He and his wife, Nigar Hasib, both studied at the Baghdad Academy of Theatre before their emigration. In Austria, Amin pursued studies in theater science as well as social and cultural anthropology at the University of Vienna. His diploma thesis carried the title "The Performative Circle." In 1998, Amin and his wife founded the Lalish Theater Laboratory. The name derives from the old Kurdish word for light and life. The institution operated as an experimental center dedicated to ritual research and intercultural performance. It received the Austrian Art Prize in the category of Cultural Initiatives in 2022. The prize citation described the laboratory as a unique institution in Austria. It noted that artists with diverse biographical backgrounds reflected life realities shaped by difference through their expressive forms. This reflection impacted both visitors and participants. A tribute released following his death described Amin as an indefatigable researcher, a courageous pioneer, and a bridge builder between cultures. The statement added that his artistic legacy and pioneering impulses would continue to resonate far beyond the borders of Vienna. Meanwhile, the literary world mourned the loss of Joachim Lottmann, who died on Sunday at age 70. Known as the inventor of pop literature, Lottmann was diagnosed with cancer in 2024. Although he defeated the tumor itself, he succumbed to the accompanying effects of the illness. Born in Hamburg in 1956, Lottmann grew up partly in the Bavarian Forest due to his father’s unsuccessful political ambitions. He lived in Cologne during the 1980s, a period that heavily influenced his work. His breakthrough novel, titled "May, June, July," cemented his status as either the creator or a co-creator of German-language pop literature. The book features an unnamed first-person narrator wandering through a major German city in the 1980s. The protagonist aims to become a great writer but faces obstacles such as depression and a lack of typewriter paper. Critics noted that the novel captured the zeitgeist of its time and generation, standing in contrast to the heavy post-war German literature of the era. Later works included "The Money Complex" in 2009, which explored the modern proletariat of digital media creators. "Among Doctors" followed in 2011, examining the trend toward psychotherapy. His 2017 book, "All Lies," addressed the refugee crisis and the rise of right-wing populism. Finally, "Death Was Yesterday," published in 2021, dealt with climate youth movements, the coronavirus pandemic, and identity politics. Lottmann shared updates on his final months via social media, documenting his stays between the Vienna General Hospital, his apartment bed in the Leopold district, and the Caritas hospice starting October 20. He also recorded last meetings with old companions in his "Boring Diary." Despite his declining health, including anemia, he maintained his characteristic wit. In an interview with the Standard in September, he stated that he was making a program to ensure his life ended well. He emphasized the need to reconcile with everyone with whom he had quarreled. Such conflicts were legendary, particularly his disputes with Rainald Goetz and Martin Kippenberger. These feuds stemmed from his sharp humor, casual approach to truth, and enjoyment of self-presentation, traits that made his literature compelling. Separately, new medical research highlights the psychological toll of cancer treatment. A study published in the journal Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences by researchers from the Medical University of Vienna and the Vienna General Hospital found that approximately one-third of patients with tumor diseases or malignant blood disorders show signs of post-traumatic stress symptoms. Lead author Amelie Fuchs from the Clinical Division of Hematology and Hemostasis noted that these symptoms represent a significant but often underestimated mental health issue in oncology. Comprehensive epidemiological data on various cancers regarding this topic remain rare. The study surveyed 4,013 patients receiving outpatient care using the standardized and validated PTSD-8-Cancer scale. Researchers also collected sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial data. Overall, 32.5 percent of participants screened positive for probable post-traumatic stress disorder. The prevalence was highest among breast cancer patients at 39.7 percent, female genital tumors at 37.2 percent, and head and neck tumors at 36.1 percent. Women were more frequently affected than male patients. Younger patients with lower incomes also showed higher rates of burden. Approximately 400,000 people live in Austria with a cancer diagnosis. The authors argue that the results speak for universal psychosocial screening for individuals with cancer diagnoses. They recommend integrating care modalities that account for potential traumatic stress loads in oncology to address the significant psychological burdens affecting a notable portion of the population.