Make
Today Count
March 2010
Learning to Live With Cancer to Overcome It
When patients learn they have cancer they are swept into a new existence. Fear, incomprehension and withdrawal are the first reactions. But then life carries on. Patients must face their daily tasks, their families, their jobs, as well as their medical treatment. They must also accept a new form of dependence toward their caregivers. Each patient reacts according to his or her personality, imagination and personal history.
Just hearing the doctor say the word "cancer" can have a profound effect on a person. A diagnosis of cancer begins a long journey that can affect physical health, mental well-being and relationships with loved ones. While getting treatment for the physical aspects of cancer, patients should not neglect the emotional issues associated with cancer. One of the best things patients can do to improve their quality of life is to learn more about their cancer. This can make the disease seem less mysterious and frightening. Information from your doctor and other credible sources can be very helpful in this respect.
Anger is a natural reaction to the loss of normalcy that may accompany a cancer diagnosis. It is likely that friends and family are feeling the same emotions. When strong feelings like anger are held in, problems such as depression, tiredness, hopelessness, and a lack of motivation can develop. It is very important to release these feelings by speaking with friends, family, or a licensed healthcare professional.
Anxiety is a normal reaction to a cancer diagnosis. When people feel threatened, their stress level naturally goes up. Cancer can be very dangerous and so many patients become anxious. Symptoms include shaking, fast or irregular heartbeat and extreme levels of worry. Anxiety can occur at any and all times during caner screening, diagnosis and treatment. About 48% of cancer patients report high levels of anxiety and 18% experience anxiety disorders.
Patients who are unmarried and undergoing treatment are at a higher risk of suffering from anxiety. People who have anxiety at the time of diagnosis, severe pain, lack of social support, advancing disease, and previous anxiety disorders are also at high risk to develop anxiety disorders during treatment. The fears associated with anxiety may cause enough mental suffering to prevent patients from performing activities normally. Anxiety can interfere with a patients quality of life and the ability to follow through with their cancer therapy. Higher levels of insomnia, pain expectation, and depression may also be a result of anxiety.
A patient's financial, social and physiological situations may all change due to cancer and cancer treatment. Having a realistic attitude and realizing that cancer can impact many aspects of life is helpful. Patients should not be afraid to tell their doctor how they are feeling, especially when it involves worries. Studies have shown that cancer care doctors misinterpret a patient distress or psychological disorders as much as 35% of the time. For this reason, it is important to tell your doctor about any pain and feelings of anxiety or despair. Some people feel uncomfortable accepting psychological help because they feel it is only for weak or irrational people. The brain is like any other organ; illnesses in other parts of the body can affect the brain and impact the well being of the individual. It is important to seek help from a medical professional when there are changes that cause discomfort or unhappiness.
Having cancer may change the way that a patient relates with family, friends, and colleagues. Patients may find that the stress going through a cancer diagnosis and treatment strengthens their relationships with loved ones. While some relationships provide much needed support, other relationships may unexpectedly lead to frustration. In many cases, stress in the relationship is caused by misunderstandings and confusion of how to offer support to a cancer survivor. Many want to offer support, but they just do not know how. With open communication, these issues may be resolved.
After treatment ends, some friends, family, or coworkers may appear to show less support due to their belief that the cancer is gone. They may seem unsupportive due to anxiety and other emotions; speaking with that friend, family member, or coworker can help to mend and strengthen relationships. As survivors work through relationships to figure out what matters most in their life, some may choose to let some casual friendships go as they focus more on those that are more valuable and meaningful.
In addition to dealing with their own feelings, a cancer survivor may also have to cope with their friends and families feelings of sadness and uncertainty. Everyone needs recovery time, both the cancer survivor and those close to them.
Family members and friends of different ages face different challenges. For example, young children may convince themselves that they were somehow to blame for the cancer. Teenagers, on the other hand, may find it difficult to cope because they may feel they have been forced back into the family just as they were beginning to break free and gain their independence. Remember that silence can block communication and that open communication is critical to maintain healthy relationships.
Talk about you illness, share your feelings, look forward to living life once again, and try to Make Today Count.
