What is it about ?
Cancer diagnosis
There is a tremendous amount to digest when you are told you have cancer. Your life is turned upside down. The diagnosis is a source of uncertainty and anxiety. You have to find a new balance, physically and emotionally. In addition, you must learn to live with the disease and its (long-lasting) treatment. It’s difficult for you, of course, but also for those around you.
Psychosocial support
It is important to have help to get through this period. This help can be psychosocial support:
- For practical aspects such as insurance, social security and rehabilitation;
- For possible symptoms and psychiatric conditions;
- For questions about the meaning of life.
The people you can talk to are the social workers, the psychologists or the team of a rehabilitation unit.
How many people with cancer have psychological problems?
About 1 in 3 people with cancer faces mental health problems, mainly fromanxiety and adjustment problems.
Up to 1 in 3 people with cancer has need additional support. This is particularly the case when:
- The disease is already advanced at the time of diagnosis;
- The prognosis is not good;
- The treatment is accompanied bySide effects and / or complications;
- Cancer affects a parent with young children;
- Cancer affects a young person who has just gained his independence;
- The disease strikes an anxious person, who does not know how to cope with uncertainty.
What psychological problems can we encounter?
- When you are diagnosed with cancer, you have need time to get used to it. This is perfectly normal.
- At first you feel angry and on edge. Your mood is highly dependent on your physical condition.
- You can develop a stress reaction.
- Sometimes the diagnosis can be very difficult to accept.
- In severe cases, a psychiatric problem may appear.
What can your doctor do?
Medical monitoring
The doctor accompanies you on the map physical. It will in particular:
- Monitor your illness closely;
- Closely monitor your treatment and its possible Side effects ;
- Treat the general symptoms of your disease (and treatment);
- Help you manage the physical changes you are going through;
- Try, with your consent, to involve those around you in the treatment.
- The treatment can indeed last a long time and impact your family life.
Psychosocial follow-up
The doctor will also accompany you on the mental plane. It will in particular:
- Inform you about the treatment;
- It is important to receive sufficient explanation about the disease and its treatment, as well as sincere encouragement.
- This will help you have control over the course of your illness.
- Try to estimate how you mentally manage the disease and the treatment;
- Possibly prescribe appropriate medication if you suffer fromanxiety, ofinsomnia, confusion or depression ;
- If necessary, offer you a psychotherapy Support.
What can you do ?
Do you support and accompany. It is important that you know the changes that are associated with the disease and the treatment. So ask the doctor the following questions:
- What is the treatment and what does it do: it heals, it slows down the disease, it relieves the symptoms of the disease? ;
- What symptoms can you expect to have during treatment?
Want to know more?
Are you looking for more specialized help?
Cancerinfo 0800 15 801 – Information and support telephone line – Fondation contre le cancer