The Emotional Impact of Cancer on Families
Mother Teresa once said, “What can you do to promote world peace? Go and love your family.”
But peace is difficult to be found when someone in the family is diagnosed with a disease as life-changing as cancer. Being diagnosed with cancer brings a huge change in the lives and has a huge psychological impact on not only the patients but also the family members. Families are the primary care-givers of the patient at home.
Regular hospital visits since the diagnosis, procedures of the ongoing treatment, side effects of the procedures, are stressful to the emotional health of both patients and family members. Cancer can affect the usual roles of work, institutions, division of responsibility in the household, among the members of a home. Emotional, financial and social imbalances occur in a family when a member is diagnosed with cancer. Every experience with cancer is unique from the other, but more than often a feeling of despair arises in people battling against cancer, which leads on to fear, anxiety and depression.
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Coping Strategies and Positive Approach
We, the team of Onco Life Cancer Centre, are with you in this relentless fight against cancer, and here are a list of things you and we could practise in our lives to provide ourselves with the strength we need.
First and foremost, we have to build up a positive approach to the entire experience. We have to bring up our problem-solving abilities. Better communication and an optimistic approach is the most effective way to deal with feelings of anxiety and hopelessness. Communicating with your caregiver on what would help you helps remove unnecessary stress.
Always keep an eye on the signs of depression, and if required, never hesitate to seek professional help. Study on your close one’s condition. Having an idea about what to expect will help you to be mentally prepared. Understanding the diagnosis and gaining knowledge on it will lessen the fear of the unknown and will also assist in communicating with the doctors with more clarity.
Embrace yourself with the new physical changes in your body or your close one’s. Loss of hair, weight, or changes in skin conditions often cause stress and acceptance issues. Accept unconditionally and be positive about these new changes as they are a part of the healing process.
Cancer will make us develop complicated questions, mostly regarding the fragility of life, survival, finances, adjustments, and other similar topics. In moments as such, we must avoid denial. Denial will only give rise to despair. We should remain flexible to alterations, accept every help and support that counts, and keep a realistic approach.
Also Read : The Most Common Types of Cancer and Their Symptoms
Self-Care and Prevention
Caring for a cancer patient can be upsetting, but never neglect yourself. Take your own time out. Pay attention to your health and wellbeing. Being on a healthy diet and sleeping well will keep you healthy and energetic.
And never forget, as the saying goes, ‘Prevention is better than cure’, we must take necessary precautions against cancer by reducing the usage of tobacco, plastic articles, and so on.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Blog – Cancer Emotional Support at Onco-Life Cancer Centre
How Can I Help Someone I Care About Who Has Cancer Feel Better?
Being there for someone, listening without judging, and being there for them are the best ways to help. Help with daily needs, respect their feelings, and encourage them to talk to you. Taking them to the doctor or for treatment shows that you care. It's easy to help them feel less alone on this hard journey by being patient, understanding, and reassuring.
What Are Some Mental Health Issues That People With Cancer Often Deal With?
People with cancer often feel anxious, sad, scared of getting sick again, and have trouble sleeping. Changes in how you feel about your body, side effects of treatment, or not knowing what will happen in the future can also make you feel stressed. People who have to do a lot of medical things may feel lonely or like they have too much to do. To stay emotionally stable during treatment, it's important to deal with these mental health issues through counselling, support groups, and mindfulness practices.
Are There Free Or Low-Cost Mental Health Services In India For People Who Have Cancer?
Yes, many government and charitable hospitals offer free or low-cost counselling for people with cancer. Nonprofits, cancer foundations, and hospital support groups can also help with mental health. Some centres have free helplines, peer support groups, and group therapy sessions. People who have government health plans like Ayushman Bharat may also be able to get mental health care for a low price. If you need help, always ask your hospital for it.
How Can Carers Keep Their Own Mental Health In Check While Caring For People With Cancer?
Carers should prioritise self-care by maintaining a healthy routine, seeking social support, and allocating time for personal activities. Talking to friends, joining groups for carers, and doing things that help you relax, like meditation or exercise, can all help. You can avoid burnout by asking for help and knowing when to stop. Carers can give patients better, longer-lasting support if they take care of their own mental health.
Can Emotional Support Help People With Cancer Get Better?
Yes. Emotional support can help you deal with stress and anxiety, which may help you sleep better, eat better, and stick to your treatment plan. Patients are more likely to follow medical advice and deal with side effects if they feel supported. Taking care of your mental health is an important part of medical care because it can help you be stronger and make your life better in general.
What Should I Do If My Cancer Diagnosis Makes Me Feel Emotionally Overwhelmed?
You might feel like you can't handle it. It's okay to talk to a trusted family member, friend, or counsellor about how you feel. Psychologists or oncology social workers can help you figure out how to deal with your problems. You could try meditating, writing in a journal, or taking deep breaths to relax. Getting emotional support when you need it makes sure you don't have to deal with this by yourself.
