The Importance Of Psychological Support In The Face Of Breast Cancer
When you hear the words “cancer” and “it’s bad” it’s like a bucket of cold water. You don’t even know how to act, you don’t react, the doctor talks and talks and you don’t know anything. (MJ, breast cancer survivor).
This is what a breast cancer survivor answered when I decided to research the subject by interviewing people who have suffered it firsthand.
Breast cancer is the second most prevalent type of cancer, especially in women. In Spain alone, more than 33,000 cases are diagnosed per year (data from Aecc 2019).
Luckily, the data on survival is getting better. In fact, according to data from the Aecc, if it is detected in its initial stage, the chances of cure are 100%. At this stage we have a great responsibility for our health: to have the appropriate check-ups every year.
This type of cancer can be detected long before any symptoms appear: a mammogram, for example, can detect abnormalities up to two years before they are palpable.
In this article I would like to talk about the psychological impact of breast cancerboth for the sick (I will speak in feminine since most of the patients are women) and for their family members and/or caregivers.
After my conversations with survivors and relatives of people with cancer, I am going to differentiate three key moments: diagnosis, treatment and post-treatment.
Diagnostic phase
From the moment an anomaly has been detected, you are like in a cloud. Many tests and some very unpleasant. Half the time we don’t know what they are for and we don’t even know how to pronounce them, but we go to all of them to see if someone gives you information or you see a gesture on someone’s face that gives you a clue, but nothing. They just make them and you go home.
In these first moments, before the diagnosis, uncertainty and fear already appear. Rumination, worries, negative thoughts, anticipations appear… However, at this moment they are mixed together with the hope that in the end everything will be a scare.
Hope is a very powerful emotion that can protect and give determination to endure all trials.
At the moment the diagnosis of breast cancer is confirmed, the feeling is one of panic (as expressed at the beginning of this article).
Panic is a very intense feeling of anxiety at a certain moment. A feeling of terror, in this case, in the face of potential danger, since the word cancer The word “death” is closely associated with it. (with everything that entails) even though it is not certain whether it will happen or not.
What symptoms does a panic attack have?
The main symptoms linked to panic attacks They are the following.
It is very likely that the doctor is explaining important topics of diagnosis, prognosis and treatment, while the woman is in this panic episode unable to listen. He cannot listen or pay attention because all his attention is focused on the word “death” and pain.
Why is it important to request psychological help at this time?
It is important to prevent psychological consequences and to be able to achieve a good attitude with which to face the treatment and post-treatment The best way possible.
At this time you should work in the following areas:
Treatment phase
During the treatment phase, obvious physical changes such as hair loss begin to occur. Nevertheless, Despite the initial shock, the treatment is so harsh that it leaves little time to think..
The psychologist’s work at this stage is fundamentally support. In this sense, the most important functions carried out by the psychologist are the following:
Keep the patient focused on the goal: overcoming the disease.
I work on a positive attitude and motivation for better adherence to treatment.
Creation and/or maintenance of basic healthy habits such as sleep hygiene, correct eating or personal hygiene.
Emotional management of the “downs”
Management of negative thoughts and thinking errors such as catastrophizing.
When the treatment ends it is a very devastating moment in which you are left helpless and with the feeling that you are going to have another one at any time and anywhere. From then on, everything that happens to you: a pain in a knee, a cold or a simple headache due to a change in the atmosphere only echoes the word ‘cancer’ in our minds..
As I said before, in the treatment phase most women focus on chemotherapy, radiotherapy or whatever treatment they have been prescribed, getting to and from the hospital, and the discomfort caused by the drugs.
You are so focused on the physical discomfort that you have no time to think about anything else..
Once the treatment is finished, the patient begins to notice the consequences.:
Hair loss all over the body, especially the most visible: head, eyelashes and eyebrows
Weakening of the nails (they can turn purple and fall off)
Thinner and more sensitive skin
Removal of one or two breasts: scar, physical change
Arm mobility problems and loss of strength due to lymphadenectomy and/or reconstruction
Graft pain
Possible lymphedema (swelling of the arm due to fluid buildup)
Changes in lifestyle as you have to constantly be aware of avoiding injuries, sudden changes in temperature, burns, stings and punctures.
Others
These are some of the consequences that have been mentioned to me in interviews. Depending on the woman, all, some, or different ones may appear.. If you have gone through or are going through this process, it would help me a lot (and other women) if you could leave a comment with the consequences you have experienced.
You may be interested: “The 10 benefits of going to psychological therapy”
Tips for better psychological coping with breast cancer
These are the main tips to keep in mind in these kinds of situations.
Search for appropriate information: do not use internet search engines. Instead, talk to doctors, psychologists, different cancer associations or support groups.
Remove the pressure of having to “be strong”: give yourself permission to cry, be angry, communicate fears, worries, and ask for help.
Normalize emotions: fear, anxiety, anguish, sadness are normal emotions in these types of situations.
Have good habits: take care of your diet, respect sleep and rest schedules, do gentle exercise such as walking.
Continue with pleasant activities or take the opportunity to start an activity that entertains and evades such as painting, making crafts, sewing, reading…
Do not move away from the social circle.
Let the illness not be the center of life: it is important to remember that “You are not sick, but you are sick, which is different.” A good attitude is very important to maintain strength and overcome cancer.
Practice Mindfulness or meditation: they will help you exercise attention, stay in the present moment, and not get “hooked” on your negative thoughts or constant worry about the future.
