Breast Cancer’s Emotional Impact

Breast Cancer’s Emotional Impact
October 1, 2015
By Staci Lee Schnell, M.S., C.S., LMFT

October is Breast Cancer Awarness Month.  It is important to understand the emotional impact breast cancer may have. Many women with breast cancer face significant emotional issues during and after their treatments. Anxiety, depression and fear are often evident. One may worry that their cancer will return, be concerned about their physical changes, or they may be concerned about the impact of their diagnosis on their family, social, or work life. The physical, emotional, and social effects of the disease can seem overwhelming.

Fear of recurrence is an extremely common and normal. Some women become hyper-vigilant in looking for any sign that the cancer may have returned. They may second-guess and worry about every symptom. Discussing the fears with their physician or therapist can be very helpful.

Breast Cancer survivors typically report some level of emotional distress during their treatment. If the physical side effects are life altering, it is normal to feel extreme sadness or even anger. Grieving the loss of a breast or breasts is an important part of the emotional healing process.

The cancer experience can greatly impact one’s self-esteem and body image. Physical changes such as hair and weight loss, or the loss of one or both breasts can leave one feeling like they have lost themselves.

Family support can be critical in emotional healing. Individual as well as couple and family therapy is highly recommended and extremely beneficial for all those impacted. Medical Family Therapy significantly enhances treatment for major and chronic illness such as Breast Cancer.

Breast Cancer has been known to cause some women to feel isolated and to withdraw from many of their normal social interactions. Sometimes typical social supports are unable to provide the kind of help one may need or want. A breast cancer support group can be extremely beneficial to most.

Some Breast Cancer patients develop a sense of helplessness or hopelessness when their stress becomes overwhelming or they are physically feeling bad. Those able to utilize some of the strategies and techniques listed below have lowered their Anxiety and Depression levels, leading them to feel less overwhelmed.

o Relaxation
o Stress Management
o Psychotherapy
o Cancer Education
o Support Groups
o Medication
o Exercise
o Healthy Diet

Resources:
American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org/healthy/morewaysacshelpsyoustaywell/breastcancer
BreastCancer.Org: http://www.breastcancer.org/
National Cancer Institute: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/breast