Research: Community Voice
How does chronic stress affect cancer risk? What are the hidden consequences of war on long-term health? And how can frontline communities be better protected?
Mission Kharkiv is launching a pioneering research initiative to explore the relationship between prolonged stress exposure and cancer incidence in conflict-affected areas of Ukraine — with a focus on the frontline regions of Kharkiv and Sumy.
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Why this research matters
The war has left deep psychological scars on Ukrainian communities — but the effects go far beyond trauma. One underexplored impact is the potential link between chronic stress and rising cancer rates, especially in areas under constant threat.
At the same time, access to diagnostics, screening, and preventive care remains severely limited. Most primary care providers are not trained to recognize psychosomatic risks or integrate psychosocial support into routine care.
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What we aim to do
- Analyze stress-related risk factors reported by cancer patients.
- Survey primary care doctors and oncologists on diagnostic challenges in conflict zones.
- Conduct focus groups in frontline communities to identify systemic barriers.
- Evaluate local healthcare capacity to address psychosocial and oncological needs.
- Develop and present policy recommendations to regional and national health authorities.
- Launch a public awareness campaign on stress and cancer prevention.
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Abour the Research
The full-scale war has had a profound impact not only on the security situation but also on people’s physical and psychosocial health, particularly in frontline regions of Ukraine. One of the least studied yet critically important aspects is the impact of chronic war-related stress on the course of oncological diseases and on patients’ access to timely diagnosis and treatment.
The study conducted within the framework of the project “Voices of the Community: Stress, Oncology, and the Right to Health” focuses on exploring the experiences of people living with cancer in frontline communities of the Kharkiv and Sumy regions.
It examines the barriers patients face in accessing medical care, how war and persistent stress affect their well-being, treatment decisions, and quality of life, as well as the challenges experienced by healthcare professionals, particularly family doctors and oncologists.
The research combines quantitative and qualitative methods, including surveys of oncology patients, focus group discussions with physicians, and analysis of epidemiological data on cancer incidence before and after the onset of the full-scale invasion.
This comprehensive approach makes it possible to view the issue holistically—not only through statistical data, but also through the lived experiences of patients and the professional perspectives of the medical community. The findings of the study have practical relevance for the healthcare system and may be used to inform policy recommendations for the government sector.
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