Normal emotions and breast cancer
Here are some normal emotions that you may experience at the point of diagnosis and during treatment.
• Fear and shock
• Denial
• Anger
• Depression
• Sadness
• Anxiety
• Stress
• Guilt (self-blame)
• Loneliness, alienation
• Hope
Physical responses to strong emotions
As you begin to deal with diagnosis and treatment, your body will be reacting to emotions as well as surgery and drugs. Your physical responses to the overall stress may be:
• Fear – trouble sleeping, headaches, body aches
• Anger – change in blood pressure
• Depression – fatigue, bouts of crying, feeling moody
• Stress – pain, irritability, physical tension
Unresolved or unexpressed emotions may lead to other problems
You are not alone with your diagnosis – or your emotions. Expressing your feelings can give you quite a bit of relief, helping you move forward in your journey.
Not all of us are freely expressive, but there are safe and creative outlets for your feelings. Letting out your emotions will help you get support and heal more quickly.
Your bottled-up emotions may lead to:
• Loneliness, withdrawal from others
• Frustration
• Hopelessness and despair
• Feeling out of control
Emotional concerns and breast cancer
When you’ve accepted your diagnosis, you may start facing other emotional concerns.
The loss of a breast, or part of a breast, has an impact that goes beyond the physical fact.
If aggressive treatment is required, it might have a long-term impact on your health. It is normal to be concerned about:
• Fear of recurrence
• Loss of attractiveness
• Difficulty with sexual function
• Loss of fertility
Coping with and surviving breast cancer
You can improve your emotional health and reduce your physical symptoms with good coping strategies.
A study published in the Journal of Psychosocial Oncology reports that women who get help with pain and emotional distress have lower levels of anxiety, fatigue and depression.
Here are some ways to cope with your emotions:
• Communicate with family and friends.
• Maintain intimacy (if you have a partner).
• Visit with a counsellor or spiritual director.
• Express your needs and ask for help.
• Report your symptoms to your healthcare team.
• Keep a log of medical visits, save test results, keep receipts.
• Educate yourself about your cancer and treatments.
• Exercise.
• Make plans for a crisis.
Getting help for emotions is not a sign of weakness
You may feel under pressure to “be strong” or “act brave” when you least feel that way. Perhaps you don’t easily share your feelings with others.
You may be in a position of responsibility and trust, and feel like you must contain your fears and hide your disease or the effects of treatment. Sharing these feelings and struggles may make you feel vulnerable.
A study published in the Journal of Personality shows that women with breast cancer who do express their anger, fear, sadness, and affection in a group setting live longer than women who suppress these emotions.
Here are some ways to express your emotions and boost your emotional and physical health:
• Make time to talk to family members, especially children.
• Communicate with friends and coworkers.
• Attend a support group, or join an online support forum.
• Find a good therapist and commit to regular visits.
Your feelings about breast cancer and its effect on your body, family, relationships, finances, and mortality are valid and normal while expressing your emotions and needs will help boost your mental and physical health.
Letting it out helps you live longer!
This article first appeared in hellodoktor.com. It was reviewed by Dr Duyen Le. The Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.