| If you have been recently been given a diagnosis | | | | control. You can help reduce these feelings of |
| of cancer you are probably experiencing a wide | | | | powerlessness by exercising the control you do |
| variety of emotions: fear, anger, sadness, guilt, | | | | have over your situation. Increase your |
| helplessness and anxiety. It is important to deal | | | | knowledge and understanding of the cancer that |
| with these feelings so that they do not hinder you | | | | you are diagnosed with, research your treatment |
| in your fight against the cancer. At some time or | | | | options and the side effects of these treatments. |
| another almost all people with cancer will have | | | | Guilt |
| some or all of the following feelings: | | | | You may blame yourself for causing your family |
| Denial and Disbelief | | | | worry and grief. You may worry about becoming |
| Newly diagnosed patients sometimes deny that | | | | a burden to your family; physically and financially. |
| they have cancer. After all, they think, I've not | | | | Support groups and counseling for both the |
| been that sick, how could I have cancer? Denial | | | | patient and the family, can be helpful in the ability |
| can be an obstacle to appropriate and timely | | | | to overcome the destructive impact these |
| treatment; you must accept the diagnosis to | | | | feelings can bring. |
| begin fighting the cancer. | | | | Loneliness |
| Fear | | | | It is not uncommon for newly diagnosed cancer |
| The word cancer stirs up fears in everyone. | | | | patients to want to shut out everyone and |
| Fears such as What is going to happen to me? | | | | everything at times but the support from caring |
| Am I going to survive? Who is going to pay for all | | | | friends and family can be a tremendous resource. |
| this medical care if I am sick? are very common | | | | They may not know how you feel, but they do |
| in newly diagnosed cancer patients. Talking with | | | | want to help you. |
| others with cancer can help resolve some of the | | | | Depression |
| fears. | | | | Many patients with cancer and their families can |
| Anger | | | | experience some level of depression. Feelings of |
| Anger may stem from feelings of Why did this | | | | dread, hopelessness and a sense that life has no |
| happen to me? Anger also comes from the | | | | meaning are not uncommon feelings. If you |
| disruption of your life, goals and your dreams. | | | | experience symptoms of depression, ask your |
| Discussing your feelings with others who are in | | | | doctor for a referral to a mental health |
| the same situation can help put these feelings into | | | | professional. |
| perspective. | | | | It is important to remember that you are not |
| Stress and Anxiety | | | | alone in your fight against cancer and to not lose |
| Stress and anxiety are common reactions to a | | | | hope. Researchers are constantly making |
| cancer diagnosis and may manifest with physical | | | | discoveries that one day might result in a cure for |
| symptoms such as headaches, difficulty sleeping, | | | | cancer. In the meantime, the best hope for |
| and loss of appetite. The immune system may be | | | | successful treatment comes from learning all you |
| affected so finding a means to relieve stress is | | | | can about the details of the cancer diagnosis and |
| very important. Go get a manicure or a massage, | | | | the treatment options available. First, find out the |
| walk, read a good book. Attend a support group; | | | | name of the cancer, its size and location, where it |
| ask your oncologist for a referral to a mental | | | | started and if it has spread. Find out if it's usually |
| health professional for a consultation if you are | | | | a slow growing cancer or an aggressive one. You |
| not able to cope. | | | | need this information for get an accurate |
| Loss of Control | | | | understanding of your options. |
| A cancer diagnosis can make life seem out of | | | | |