Disasters and climate change significantly disrupt healthcare systems, with particularly severe effects on individuals with non-communicable diseases such as cancer, ultimately reducing quality of life and life expectancy (Ryan et al., 2015). Cancer care is especially vulnerable because it relies on consistent access to medical services, which can be interrupted by damaged infrastructure, limited facility access, shortages of oncology professionals, and disruptions to transportation, medical records, and essential resources like electricity and clean water (Bernicker et al., 2024; Hiatt & Beyeler, 2020; Man et al., 2018; Ryan et al., 2015)
The psychological dimension of these challenges is equally important. The Health Belief Model (HBM) provides a useful framework for understanding how cancer patients perceive and respond to climate-related risks. This model emphasizes how individual beliefs shape health behaviors, based on perceived risks and the expected benefits of action (Alyafei & Easton-Carr, 2024). Within this framework, psychological preparedness involves several key components:
- Perceived susceptibility: For cancer patients, how can climate change impact exposure to carcinogens, patient care, and mental health.
- Perceived severity: Personal assessment of the severity of the consequences of climate change to individual physical and mental health and well-being.
- Perceived benefits: The belief that psychological preparedness can help in reducing the risk of negative consequences.
- Perceived barriers: Potential challenges like displacement or social stigma
- Self-efficacy: Confidence in one’s ability to successfully manage the psychological implications of climate change.
(Markopoulou & Tsagkaris, 2026).
Although the psychological impacts of climate change on cancer patients are not yet fully understood, strengthening preparedness represents both a pressing need and an opportunity for improving resilience and care outcomes in this population.
For more details about the Psychological preparedness against the psychological implications of climate change and natural disasters on cancer patients and caregivers, see:
Markopoulou E. & Tsagkaris C (2026). Preparedness against the psychological implications of climate change and natural disasters on cancer patients and caregivers. In S. Kevany. Climate Change, Public Health, and Regional Security in the Indo-Pacific. pp 277-285. Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-40368-2.00021-0
References
Alyafei A., & Easton-Carr R. (2024). The Health Belief Model of Behavior Change. Retrieved from: https://www.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK606120/ (accessed 12.03.2025).
Bernicker, E., Averbuch, S. D., Edge, S., Kamboj, J., Khuri, F. R., Pierce, J. Y., & Hendricks, C. (2024). Climate change
and cancer care: a policy statement from ASCO. JCO Oncology Practice, 20(2), 178–186. https://doi.org/10.1200/
OP.23.00637.
Hiatt, R. A., & Beyeler, N. (2020). Cancer and climate change. The Lancet Oncology, 21(11), e519–e527. https://doi.
org/10.1016/S1470-2045(20)30448-4.
Man, R. X. G., Lack, D. A., Wyatt, C. E., & Murray, V. (2018). The effect of natural disasters on cancer care: a
systematic review. The Lancet Oncology, 19(9), e482–e499. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(18)30412-1.
Markopoulou E. & Tsagkaris C (2026). Preparedness against the psychological implications of climate change and natural disasters on cancer patients and caregivers. In S. Kevany. Climate Change, Public Health, and Regional Security in the Indo-Pacific. pp 277-285. Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-40368-2.00021-0
Ryan, B., Franklin, R. C., Burkle Jr, F. M., Aitken, P., Smith, E., Watt, K., & Leggat, P. (2015). Identifying and
describing the impact of cyclone, storm and flood related disasters on treatment management, care and
exacerbations of non-communicable diseases and the implications for public health. PLoS Currents, 7. https://
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