What patients and their loved ones should remember. Cancer treatment is not only a physical challenge but also a serious emotional ordeal. At every stage — from diagnosis to the end of therapy — support helps you and your family keep your psychological balance.
Everything you are feeling right now is normal. Fear, shock and denial are a natural reaction to a diagnosis. Give yourself the right to your feelings and don’t hesitate to turn to loved ones or professionals for support.
Shock and denial are natural reactions
On first hearing a diagnosis, most people feel fear, shock and denial. Fear often comes from a lack of information about the diagnosis itself.
What helps at this stage
- Give yourself time. Think everything over calmly, without rushing.
- Talk about your emotions — with loved ones or with a psychologist.
- Don’t blame yourself. Whatever feelings come up now are normal.
Myth: cancer is a death sentence. The diagnosis is surrounded by many myths and fears, so in many people’s minds it equals a death sentence. This belief is wrong.
How to overcome fear and reduce stress
Fear is strongest where knowledge is lacking. So the first thing you can do is give yourself more information.
- Gather information. Talk to your doctors and look for reliable sources about your diagnosis.
- Focus on cases of successful treatment. Our brain tends to dwell on negative scenarios. To give it an alternative, it’s important to see the other side of the coin too.
Techniques that reduce anxiety
Emotional balance helps you cope better with treatment. These exercises need no preparation — you can do them anywhere.
- Breathing exercises. Slow, deep breathing helps lower stress.
- Visualization. Imagine yourself in a calm place — this helps stabilize your emotional state.
- Grounding. Feel the support under your feet — this helps you stay connected to reality.
Build a circle of support
Having support during treatment matters. It can come from loved ones, friends or a psychologist.
- Loved ones and friends help both with their words and simply by being there — this eases anxiety.
- A psychologist will help you cope with your emotions and teach you techniques that reduce stress.
Don’t be afraid to share what you’re going through. Your family wants to help you and be by your side. Talking about the diagnosis will strengthen your support and help ease the tension you may feel.
If you are a loved one
Support matters for the psychological comfort not only of the patient but of the whole family.
- Be there. Your words and your presence ease anxiety.
- Let them talk. Talking about the diagnosis helps ease the tension.
- Take care of yourself too. You need support as well — don’t hesitate to talk about how you feel.
Where to get support
Accept your emotions, talk about them and don’t hesitate to ask for help. Ask the doctor treating you about psychological support, or call the registration desk: (0542) 700-352.
During chemotherapy, an assessment of your psychological state is part of the free package under the Program of Medical Guarantees — more about free treatment.
If you need to talk right now, call the helpline. All the steps of treatment at the center are on the “Patient pathway” page.