Read about the feelings of guilt, blame and anger that you may have and how talking can help. You are likely to feel a range of emotions when diagnosed with cancer. For instance, they should be sensitive to the desire of the patient to share and know information about their cancer, treatment options, and their prognosis.3 A support network can greatly help reduce the stress of dealing with cancer. Common examples are: If you feel angry, you don't have to pretend that everything is okay. cancer/emotional-support/resources Created by the BC Cancer Agency, various patient handouts are available that look at emotions and behaviours related to stress that people can experience during or after cancer treatment, and possible strategies to alter or change them. Or, you may envy other people's good health and be ashamed of this feeling. They finish projects they had started but put aside. Cancer and the treatments used to treat it can introduce a complex array of lifestyle changes and emotional responses, which can be difficult for family members to handle. One does not need to feel isolated while fighting cancer. Psychiatric illnesses such as depression and anxiety are common, but often neglected, complications of cancer, influencing quality of life, adherence to treatment, cancer survival, and treatment costs.2 3 Depression and anxiety affect up to 20% and 10% of patients with cancer respectively, regardless of the point in the cancer trajectory, and whether in curative or palliative treatment… Most unexpected treatment side effect: permanent hair loss. If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you, your family, and friends will be experiencing waves of emotion (likely tidal waves at times).. Just as your diagnosis may differ from those of other people with breast cancer, your emotional experience may also differ. This is true whether you’re currently in treatment, done with treatment, or a friend or family member. Being in pain, either from the cancer or the treatment, Feeling sick or looking different as a result of your treatment. There is information about some of the emotions you may have, who you can talk to, and how you can help yourself. And if you're religious, you may even feel angry with God. Information about coping emotionally, talking about cancer and counselling. All bodies are different. Finding motivation to keep fighting and moving on can be rather difficult, especially when treatment isn’t giving the desired results. Find out about the emotional, physical and practical effects of cancer and how to manage them. Dreams, plans, and the future may seem uncertain. For example some people: Whatever you decide, it's important to do what's right for you and not to compare yourself with others. Relieving these side effects is an important part of cancer care and may be called palliative care or supportive care. Partners can also be suffering. There is help and support available. Listen to stories about people with cancer who are leading active lives. Some patients direct their anger at their family or the staff, while others may be angry with God. We're not sure how anyone can make it through cancer treatment without a sense of humor. You may like hobbies such as woodworking, photography, reading, or crafts. They feel a sense of loss of their health, and the life they had before they learned they had the disease. From basic information about cancer and its causes to in-depth information on specific cancer types – including risk factors, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment options – you’ll find it here. Treatment. Or you eat more. When I start to feel guilty that I caused my illness, I think of how little kids get cancer. This may be a medical condition called depression. Coping with cancer; Coping emotionally; About your emotions and cancer; About your emotions and cancer . It can be overwhelming to deal with cancer treatment and side effects, while also handling the normal stresses of everyday life. Practice yoga, meditation or other methods of relaxation. In order to improve overall quality of cancer care, a more holistic approach to treatment is needed, beginning with the assessment of a patient as a whole person. Learn about cancer etiquette with this prescriptive guidance on how to avoid awkward moments when friends or family while undergoing cancer treatment. Mismanaged transference reactions can undermine the therapeutic alliance in the patient-clinician relationship and negatively influence treatment outcomes. In time, people learn to cope in their own unique ways. 3. For example, for some women, pain during intercourse may be relieved if the woman is on top, controlling the level of penetration. You have a tight feeling in your throat and chest. Some studies even suggest that people who are well-informed about their illness and treatment are more likely to follow their treatment plans and recover from cancer more quickly than those who are not. Navigating the health system. You can write down each task, how long it will take, and where you need to … You may notice that: If you have any of these feelings, talk to your doctor. Learn how religious and spiritual needs are met during treatment and improve a patient’s quality of life in this expert-reviewed summary. Some people believe that they got cancer because of something they did or did not do. It can also make existing feelings seem more intense. Cancer may bring you and your loved one closer together than ever before. For example, tamoxifen, a common breast cancer treatment, can cut a woman’s rate of breast cancer recurrence by up to 50 percent. Although some doctors and nurses may provide their patients with emotional and psychological support, many don’t feel comfortable doing this. When you first learn that you have cancer, you may feel as if your life is out of control. Any position that seems to make breathing easier is OK, including sitting up with good support. Social or psychological distress. Or, it could be playing a sport you love or cooking a good meal. Many emotional challenges will lessen or go away as you move through cancer treatment. From patient to survivor. Call freephone 9 to 5 Monday to Friday or email us. No matter which type of cancer help group a patient chooses, it's important to remember that emotional support and care is just as important as physical care during cancer treatment. You can write down each task, how long it will take, and where you need to go. Or, ask your doctor to refer you to a counselor. A cancer diagnosis can affect the emotional health of patients, families, and caregivers. That makes me realize that cancer can just happen. In one study, for example, men whose partners were diagnosed with breast cancer were nearly 40% more likely than other men to be hospitalized for severe depression and other mood disorders. Learn about your cancer and understand what you can do to be an active partner in your care. Such an … Patients and family members can take multiple trips for specialized medical evaluations, diagnoses and treatments. A cancer diagnosis can be emotionally challenging. You can also do things that are more special to you, like being in nature or praying in a place that has meaning for you. We know it’s a worrying time for people with cancer, we have information to help. If you would like to reproduce some or all of this content, see Reuse of NCI Information for guidance about copyright and permissions. If you feel comfortable, share this information with them. Maintaining a positive outlook on life and being optimistic is the goal of support groups, which makes the cancer journey a lot easier. This may be for a number of reasons: It’s also normal to feel alone after treatment. It could help you to talk to other people who have cancer or to join a support group. But emotional and intellectual side effects of cancer, like depression, cognition difficulties and body image issues, pose their own challenges and can be just as debilitating. Cancer fatigue that occurs during cancer treatment is common. And it’s stressful to experience the fear of recurrence. It's important to recognize these changes and get help when needed. People use medical terms that you don't understand. Most cancer patients go through similar treatment - surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy which have many side effects such as hair loss, sickness, nausea, and fatigue. Their main focus is on treating and curing your cancer. Sometimes this means looking for the good even in a bad time or trying to be hopeful instead of thinking the worst. “If you realize dad can’t possibly handle all of the bills and insurance information involved in treatment, and that you can’t either, you can hire someone to do it for you who is accustomed to handling that type of paperwork,” says Massie. Whatever activity helps you unwind, you should take some time to do it. It may be hard at first, but you can find joy in your life if you have cancer. Return, or talking to friends or family while undergoing cancer treatment over. Sometimes this means looking for the patient ’ s a worrying time for many people have a time. Side effects of cancer this booklet offers advice and guidance to anyone affected by their cancer as well as treatment. Your cancer, but you can do to help restore their physical function trying be! 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