Being diagnosed with a serious illness like breast cancer may be a shock. Your diagnosis and treatment may trigger a range of emotional responses. This is a normal reaction. You don’t have to go through this alone: there are supports available to help you through your treatment.
Emotional responses to diagnosis
After being diagnosed with breast cancer, you may feel that every part of your life has suddenly changed. It is not surprising that strong emotions arise when you learn that you have a serious illness. You will likely experience some intense thoughts and feelings:
- Initial shock when you receive the diagnosis
- Fear about the potential threat to your health
- Anxiety due to what you know or have heard about going through breast cancer treatment.
- Anger for a range of reasons, including because cancer feels unfair or because you feel like your body has let you down
- Concern about the possible impact on your family
- Doubt about your future plans, such as your career and relationships
Emotional responses to treatment
It will likely take you some time to adjust to the changes that result from your diagnosis and treatment. Depending on the treatment plan that you and your health care team decide on, you may receive treatment for many weeks or over many months. You may experience a range of emotions during this time:
- Psychological stresses arising from your treatment and its side effects
- Anxiety about the next phases of your treatment and possible side effects
- Fear that your treatments will not work or that the cancer will return
- Guilt about the demands that your condition might impose on your family and friends
- Sadness or depression from the feeling that things won’t get better. You may experience a lack of motivation to do things you used to enjoy, a sense of hopelessness or desire to withdraw from family and friends.
Support during treatment
You do not have to face the challenges of breast cancer treatment on your own. Many other people have gone through breast cancer treatment and were able to return to the activities that were important in their lives.
You can ask your health care team for referrals to social workers, psychologists, counsellors and other support services. Some people find it helpful to seek counselling from the Supportive Care Program at the cancer centre or hospital where they receive their treatment.
Other options to consider are peer support or joining a breast cancer support group.
Peer supporters are people who have been through breast cancer themselves: they offer support to others who have been newly diagnosed or are going through breast cancer treatment.
Support groups are usually made up of women who have experienced breast cancer and meet regularly to talk. There are breast cancer support groups in almost every region and on the Internet.
Read more about living with breast cancer: your relationships, sexuality , fertility, communicating with your children, and coping with practical and financial issues.
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