Anxiety and Cancer Treatment
The New York Times recently featured a story about a cancer patient who shared her ways of dealing with her anxiety while being treated for cancer. Additionally, Dr. Anthony Nguyen, medical oncologist at Comprehensive Cancer Centers, was featured in the Health Care Quarterly discussing the emotional effects of a cancer diagnosis.
Below are some emotions cancer patients might have as well as simple options of how to cope with challenges of treatment.
Emotions
A frequent emotion that nearly all patients experience throughout a cancer journey – including leading up to and during a first appointment – is fear. It’s the fear of not knowing what exactly may be going on. The initial meeting with an oncologist can provide answers. This first meeting can dispel cancer myths and shed light onto new treatment innovation. From an emotional and logistical standpoint, it’s helpful to have someone with you for your appointments, whether it is a family member or friend.
Counter-Irritants
Think and develop mental lists of tasks that need to be completed, and other considerations that provide an opportunity to get your mind off of current treatment. During treatment, work through those challenges by trying to find solutions to other responsibilities or challenges in life.
Escape Routes
Finding favorite TV shows or books that you can look forward to watching, either during treatment or afterwards, provides something positive to think about that can either distract you from something going on at that moment, or provide a reward that can be looked forward to being enjoyed later.
Repetitive Activity
Developing and following patterns can offer comfort for the current moment, as well as offer something to look forward to doing, either during treatment or when it concludes. These activities can include writing regularly in a journal, working on crossword puzzles, drawing or going for a regular walk. Find something you enjoy doing, and built that into a habit that’s productive, that can be done over and over again.
Talking/Not Talking
Some people feel better when they talk about their treatment with family and friends, whereas other people do not. Taking time to consider what works best for you can set you up for success in, either finding people to share your stories with, or being okay with the fact that you’d rather keep your thoughts to yourself.
Self-care
This can include looking forward to a nice long bath, or having a drink with friends, or enjoying the benefits of Eastern Medicine. In any instance the goal is to find a personal reward that makes you happy and can be done responsibly.
When at a Comprehensive Cancer Clinic, free WiFi is available in waiting and treatment rooms. Wifi is helpful for binge watching your favorite shows, surfing the Internet or doing anything else online that makes you happy. If you’re unable to log on, any Comprehensive staff member at that clinic can help you get properly set up. The entire team at Comprehensive Cancer is dedicated to making your time spent with us as pleasant as possible. Please don’t hesitate to ask if there’s something we can do to assist you.
Comprehensive Cancer Centers Can Help
Physicians at Comprehensive Cancer Centers provide a variety of treatment options for cancer including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and/or surgery. For certain cancer patients, clinical research studies currently being conducted at Comprehensive Cancer Centers may offer help, please click here to learn more. To schedule an appointment with the team at Comprehensive, please call 702-952-3350.
The content is this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.