What Fears Cancer Patients?

After diagnosis, people with cancer immediately feel depressed or miserable. They think about what their doctors said over and over again. They cry in frustration that they can no longer focus on what the people around them are saying. They hug their family so tight, as though requesting support but there are also occasions when they may even reject affection from their family and friends. They can be in denial; hence, they may also refuse to receive care and the assistance of others. Yes, some individuals affected by cancer may not want to feel helpless. It is not surprising, though, that most of them are in a number of fears.

Fear of Dying

Death may be the first thing that comes into the minds of cancer patients - instead of survival. Perhaps, this is because they are already haunted by the thought that they have cancer, which they believed as one of the life-altering diseases. They are terrified with the thought of leaving their loved ones and what’s going to take place after they die. Their minds are cluttered with what’s going to change with their lives and how they will embrace it to be able to live their life in the present.

Their family members can help them eliminate this fear of death by helping them recognize their fears, stimulating them to discuss their issues and enabling them to pay attention to living a quality life despite the illness.

Fear of Pain and Suffering

Cancer patients connect disease and treatment program with pain and suffering. They already see themselves in serious physical pain and discomfort, and experiencing side effects. Giving them proper education on how to manage pain and suffering related to cancer is the best way to overcome this. Their healthcare team can discuss treatment methods and what to anticipate from them. This will help decrease the incidence of or the amount of anxiety and depression that they will experience because they are well aware of what’s going to happen.

Fear of Losing a Quality Life

Any individual will fear losing control of his life. So, it is not surprising that cancer patients feel the exact same thing. Doctor visits, as well as treatment and therapy sessions will already become a part of their everyday life. These can even make up most of their days that they think they will have no option but to follow anything that should happen - in accordance with their doctors’ plan. They can no longer decide their way of life on their own. Worse, they will begin to feel shut off to the society because they believe that will not be able to do the things that they used to do.

Not all cancer patients will lose control of lives. Some are fortunate to live their lives normally. But those who must live their lives as dictated by their health condition, they can still spend their day with quality by surrounding themselves with supportive, positive and happy people. Therapists or psychiatrists can also provide professional guidance.