A cancer diagnosis is not only a medical but also a deeply emotional change in a person. It can have a profound impact on a person's identity, outlook on life and sense of the future. As well as physical treatment, it is also important for cancer patients to receive emotional care to help them manage the understandable fear, anger, guilt, loneliness, sadness and other emotions that often accompany cancer patients and their loved ones.
Emotional challenges of dealing with cancer
Studies have shown that around 30-40% oncology patients experience symptoms of depression or anxiety (Mitchell et al., 2011). The disease causes fear of death and loss, worries about financial and family relationships, and concerns about quality of life during and after treatment.
Common emotions experienced by cancer patients and their loved ones:
- worries and anxieties - whether the treatment will be effective; how to cope with everyday life;
- fear - of pain, disability, death;
- sadness and depression - about lost opportunities, changes in lifestyle;
- loneliness - difficulty sharing your feelings and experiences with others;
- guilt - not wanting to burden your family.
It is important to understand that all these feelings are normal reactions to an extreme life situation.
What can be controlled in such a situation?
The patient and their relatives have very limited influence over the course of their illness and treatment. However, there are a number of factors that a person can influence. For example, both patients and their relatives can use various self-help skills:
- ask for and accept support;
- recognise and regulate your emotions;
- consciously manage your negative thoughts;
- relaxation exercises to manage stress;
- practice mindfulness;
- practise being kind and considerate to yourself.
Research confirms that mindful attention to one's inner world, regulation of emotions and thoughts, can significantly reduce distress caused by the illness and increase patients' ability to manage not only daily emotional difficulties but also physical pain (Ferretti et al., 2023).
Start learning to help yourself!
IDARTO Centre - psycho-emotional support provider for people diagnosed with oncology and their relatives - offers evidence-based (psychological science) self-help Techniques, that can make life with the disease and its treatment much easier.
Self-help means taking conscious action to strengthen your emotional and psychological resilience, reduce stress and improve your wellbeing. Self-help is an excellent complement to medical treatment and psychological counselling or psychotherapy - it complements these resources and allows the person to feel involved and active in managing their life and health.
Self-help skills can be useful, for example, at times in life when:
- anxiety about the side effects or prognosis of treatment;
- depression or other strong emotions or unpleasant thoughts;
- have difficult conversations with family or doctors;
- lack the strength to carry out your usual tasks at work or at home;
- to regain a sense of meaning and peace in life.
Conscious breathing, relaxation exercises, reframing negative thoughts or simply having a positive dialogue with yourself can help to calm the nervous system, regain concentration and feel more in control of your life, even in difficult circumstances.
The IDARTO Centre offers a wide range of support materials, to help you learn different self-help skills.
Accessible to patients and their families:
- free worksheets and exercises that teach step-by-step practical techniques;
- free webinars with advice from professional experts and the chance to learn the techniques as they go along;
- in-depth, specialised services - for example, a tool specifically designed for cancer patients and their families 5 lessons Mind Over Matter (IMO), where you can learn stress management, mindfulness, emotion regulation and other valuable skills under the guidance of professionals.
Self-help is a powerful support tool that can strengthen inner balance, improve emotional well-being and help you cope better with the reality of your illness.
Finally
Cancer can change a person's life, but it doesn't mean losing hope or control over your inner world. By learning to understand and manage your emotions, thoughts and body reactions, you can regain stability and a better quality of life even in the most difficult times.
If you or a loved one needs support, we encourage you to seek professional help or join programmes that promote emotional resilience and the strength to carry on.
Sources
- Beck, J. S. (2011). Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: Basics and Beyond. Guilford Press.
- Faller, H. et al. (2013). Effects of psycho-oncologic interventions on emotional distress and quality of life in adult patients with cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 31(6), 782-793.
- Ferretti, M., Lowery Walker, K., Bires, J., & BrintzenhofeSzoc, K. (2023). Building coping skills to relieve distress and physical symptoms. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 42(2), 256-270.
- Mitchell, A. J., Chan, M., Bhatti, H., Halton, M., Grassi, L., Johansen, C., & Meader, N. (2011). Prevalence of depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder in oncological, haematological, and palliative-care settings: a meta-analysis. The Lancet Oncology, 12(2), 160-174.