Cancer, is a disease so dreaded by people. The very mention of its name is enough to make you feel daunted and disappointed. It is not just a physical but also an emotionally draining battle that affects a person’s well-being. Negative emotions, including fear, depression, and anger, can severely affect cancer patients’ lives.
In this blog post, we will discuss how these pessimistic thoughts and feelings can impact the well-being of a cancer warrior.
Fear of Diagnosis
The mention of a diagnosis can be equally daunting. With this fear comes anxiety about the unknown and treatment outcomes. The cancer journey is a rollercoaster where a person moves to and fro between hope and despair. It comes with some triggering existential questions that set the emotional journey ahead for a cancer warrior.
Feelings of Uncertainty and Anxiety
During the trauma recovery journey, it is normal to feel anxious and feeling unsure about the future. You might be stuck by unending questions like: “Will the treatment go right? How will my family cope with this? Will cancer be cured completely?” It is normal for your mind to be filled with ‘what ifs’ and ‘how’. This overthinking can affect your physical health as well.
Impact of Cancer on Physical Health
Prolonged anxiety, depression, and stress may hinder the immune system, making it more difficult for the body to fight off infections and recover from injuries. Furthermore, studies indicate that emotional distress may impact biological mechanisms like inflammation and DNA repair to affect how quickly cancer progresses.
Silent Struggle of Isolation
It is quite common for cancer patients to find themselves in a position where they have to fight depression. The physical and emotional effects of cancer including the treatment can wear down even the strongest spirits. You might feel sad and hopeless due to the everyday suffering caused by the disease. Moreover, the sense of isolation causes emotional distress and intensifies feelings of loneliness. But you should also remember that you are not alone in this journey. There will be people who will support groups for breast cancer. Reading about people who have found a similar battle like you can help you gain confidence and raise some hope of living.
Feeling of Resentment
There might come a time when cancer patients can feel betrayed by their bodies. With it comes, the loathing feeling of pain and suffering. Knowing that you don’t have any power over your health can make you hit rock bottom with feelings of frustration.
Wrapping Up
It is pretty normal to have negative emotions when battling against a tough opponent, cancer. The best thing to do in such a situation is to acknowledge and address these emotions. We at Be Big & Brave urge healthcare providers to encourage their cancer patients to feel their emotions and find out what coping strategies work for them.
Remember, you are not alone in this journey!
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