Psychological Support for Breast Cancer Patients
Breast cancer diagnosis is a process that is not only related to physical health for patients, but also creates serious psychological effects. In this process, the psychology of the cancer patient has an important place. Along with a cancer diagnosis, patients can often experience mental problems such as intense anxiety, stress, depression, and even post-traumatic stress disorder. Providing psychological support to breast cancer patients is vital in terms of protecting the emotional and mental health of patients. Cancer support treatment should include not only medical interventions, but also approaches that enable the patient to be psychologically empowered.
There are many questions that arise in the minds of patients from the moment they are diagnosed. “How will the treatment process be?”, “Will I live?”, “Will the treatment work?”, “How will my loved ones handle this process?”. Dealing with these questions can be quite difficult, and sometimes it can be vital for patients to receive emotional and spiritual support during this process. Expert psychologists help patients manage their mood while also enabling them to cope with the changes brought about by the disease.
The Relationship Between Breast Cancer and Psychological Health
The psychological difficulties experienced by breast cancer patients are often associated with the uncertainty, fear of death and physical changes brought about by the disease. Treatment processes such as surgical procedures, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, especially during breast cancer treatment, can cause serious changes in patients’ body image and self-confidence. Psychological support for cancer patients comes into play at this point. Experts state that psychotherapy is important for such patients, and that patients feel emotionally stronger with activities that support mental well-being. Supportive therapy methods contribute to the healing process by providing a safe space for patients to express their feelings and thoughts.
For breast cancer patients, changes in body image can negatively affect psychological health. Especially for patients undergoing mastectomy surgery, bodily changes can lead to a loss of self-confidence and damage to self-worth. In such cases, learning to cope with bodily changes and accepting new body image may become easier with professional support. Emotional difficulties experienced in this process can be addressed through group therapies or individual therapies.
What are the Psychological Effects After Cancer Diagnosis?
When a patient is diagnosed with cancer, it has a life-changing effect. Cancer patient psychology is often shaped by complex emotional reactions such as shock, denial, anger, guilt, and deep sadness after diagnosis. In cases where psychological support is not offered to patients and their relatives, these emotional processes can be even more challenging. Studies show that many individuals diagnosed with cancer need psychological support to understand this process and cope with their emotional reactions. At this point, providing psychological support to both patients and their relatives can make the processes of combating the disease more bearable.
The shock experienced at the time of diagnosis can cause patients to feel that they have lost a sense of control over their lives. Such emotional difficulties can develop into mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and stress. Psychological support can help patients understand and cope with these feelings. At the same time, family members who support cancer patients during the treatment process can feel these difficulties deeply. Providing psychological support to patients and their relatives is important to increase resilience in such processes.
Activities Supporting Mental Well-Being
Maintaining the mental well-being of patients diagnosed with breast cancer during the treatment process can positively affect their general health status. In this context, some activities recommended within the scope of cancer support treatment can strengthen the psychological health of patients. For example, stress-reducing techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, and yoga can help patients calm down and develop a more positive outlook. In addition, expanding patients’ social support networks and creating safe spaces where they can express themselves emotionally can be effective in protecting their psychological health.
In addition, physical activities can also support mental well-being. Activities such as light exercises, walks or yoga can contribute to the physical health of patients and help them relax psychologically at the same time. Activities that support mental well-being contribute to patients going through their treatment processes in a healthier way. Group activities, in particular, can help patients feel like they are not alone and get emotional support.
Methods of Providing Psychological Support to Breast Cancer Patients
When offering psychological support to cancer patients, it is important to adopt individualized approaches. Each patient’s emotional reactions and coping mechanisms may differ. Therefore, support programs for breast cancer patients should be tailored to the individual needs of the patients. Methods such as psychotherapy, group therapy, individual counseling, and family therapy can support patients’ emotional healing. In addition, it is important to provide support to the relatives of the patients in this process. During the cancer treatment process, not only the patient but also family members may experience intense stress and anxiety. Providing psychological support to patients and their relatives can make this challenging process more bearable.
Alternative therapies such as art therapy, music therapy, and body awareness may also include psychological support methods. Such supportive therapies improve patients’ mood while also allowing patients to actively participate in the treatment process.
Online Support Options for Breast Cancer Patients
Today, with the advancement of technology, the psychological support options offered to breast cancer patients have also diversified. Online therapy has become an effective method to provide psychological support to patients and their relatives. Counseling services provided over the internet make it possible for patients to receive uninterrupted support, especially during restrictive periods such as pandemics. Online support groups allow individuals diagnosed with breast cancer to share their experiences with each other, while online psychotherapy services offered by experts provide professional support for the individual needs of patients.
Online support provides a great advantage for patients who do not have the opportunity to participate in face-to-face therapy or who have reservations about it. At the same time, online therapy sessions can help patients feel safer in their homes. These remote services can increase patients’ active participation in the treatment process by eliminating time and space constraints.
As a result, breast cancer diagnosis is a very emotionally challenging process for patients and their relatives. Providing psychological support to cancer patients in this process helps patients maintain their mental well-being at every stage of the treatment process, while cancer support treatment should cover not only physical health but also emotional health.
