| When you are given the dreadful news that you | | | | The range of emotions you feel will vary at different |
| have breast cancer, the first issues you usually deal | | | | stages of your treatment. Even if you are a survivor |
| with are the practical ones. Do I need surgery? Will I | | | | of breast cancer, it's likely that you will still have |
| have to undergo chemo or radiotherapy? These are | | | | these feelings long after you have been cured. Your |
| the matters which are dealt with immediately, | | | | initial emotions will more than likely be shock, anger |
| because the earlier you start your treatment the | | | | and fear. You may start to think about dying and |
| greater your chance of survival. You will more than | | | | you will be anxious about how your family will cope. |
| likely be in shock and haven't actually processed all | | | | Once you have accepted the news of your diagnosis |
| the information you have received about your illness. | | | | and have learned how your doctors plan to deal with |
| Every sufferer will have to deal with their emotions | | | | your situation, you could become less fearful of the |
| and it could be at a different stage of the illness for | | | | outcome. Understanding what is going to happen to |
| each individual. Some people are more practical than | | | | your body, may help you come to terms with your |
| others and choose to focus on the treatments they | | | | illness. However you may experience times when you |
| are receiving, whilst others are more emotional and | | | | feel anxious and scared and it's at these times that |
| will need more help in coming to terms with their | | | | it's important to ask for help from your friends, |
| illness. | | | | family or health professionals. |
| Each individual will choose to deal with their situation | | | | If you are feeling negative or depressed, it will be |
| differently and there is no right or wrong way to | | | | very exhausting for you. It's vital that you |
| come to terms with a breast cancer diagnosis. Each | | | | understand what you are feeling, so you can start to |
| sufferer will have their own unique set of | | | | deal with each individual emotion. Identifying each |
| circumstances to deal with, so it's important not to | | | | emotion and dealing with it will help you through your |
| compare yourself against others and how they are | | | | illness. For example, your doctors may be able to help |
| coping emotionally. | | | | you with depression either through medication or |
| Some people may have a stronger network of | | | | counseling. If you're feeling scared, you may find |
| support, so find it easier to cope. They may have | | | | talking to another sufferer helps. If you feeling |
| family around them who can provide them with | | | | anxious about money, you may be able to contact a |
| practical and emotional help. They can offer | | | | charity that can give you some practical advice. If |
| encouragement at every stage of the disease and | | | | you identify each emotion that you experience and |
| those with young children find the fight within them | | | | deal with it individually you can start to feel more |
| to ensure they see their children grow up. Others | | | | positive. It may even help to write it down and |
| have little family around them and could feel isolated | | | | describe how you dealt with it. Even dealing with one |
| and lonely. | | | | of your emotions, may feel like a weight of your |
| There are many factors that could influence the way | | | | shoulders. |
| you cope with your illness - do you have a strong | | | | If you feel that you are not coping with your |
| marriage or partnership? Are you single? How is your | | | | emotions, it's vital that you ask for assistance. Talking |
| employer supporting you? Do you have financial | | | | about your feelings is more than likely to help you |
| worries? Depending on how you answer these | | | | cope with them. There are many health professionals |
| questions, will certainly affect the way you are able | | | | in cancer care who will be able to guide you though |
| to deal with your illness emotionally. If you have | | | | your illness. They are trained to deal with sufferers |
| positive answers to all these questions, then you are | | | | and will have a huge amount of experience helping |
| probably in a better position than most other | | | | people through difficult and stressful times. You may |
| sufferers. If you don't have positive answers to | | | | find a support group helpful, as you will meet people |
| these questions, it's important that you seek out | | | | who are experiencing the same anxieties. They may |
| people and organizations that can help you. | | | | have already worked their way through some of |
| It's vital to remember that there are many people | | | | them and will have advice to give you. |
| who have suffered the same illness and have | | | | You may find it difficult to articulate how you are |
| survived. There is a huge amount of research going | | | | feeling to your friends, family and colleagues, but |
| into Breast Cancer every year and the chances of | | | | don't underestimate the power of talking. Don't be |
| survival are getting better and better. Although some | | | | afraid to open up to them, you may find them a |
| days are easier than others, it's important to try and | | | | great source of strength. If you do feel alone and |
| remain positive where possible; this could be a major | | | | have little friends or family around you for support, |
| contributory factor in helping you beat this disease. | | | | seek professional help or advice. |