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Changing emotions
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Fear of uncertainty
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Coping strategies
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Communicating with family and friends
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Seeking support
Ongoing process.
Not an end point,
but a journey.
› The process is complex and involves
recognizing difficulties over time.
› This journey is typified by detours taking
individuals to places they did not expect to
nor choose to go.
› Detours often occur at varying times taking
individuals by surprise.
Patients who express their emotions and
concerns enjoy better psychological
adjustment than those who suppress
their feelings.
Provides an outlet, means of working them
through, and openness to support.
(Kneier, A.W., 2003)
React as if you are strongly motivated to know
what you are facing.
Ask brave questions about the seriousness of
your condition and pros and cons of
treatment options.
(Kneier, A.W., 2003)
Believe you can make a
difference and put this belief
into action.
Partnering with physician helps to
overcome a passive, helpless stance
associated with poorer psychological
adjustment.
(Kneier, A.W., 2003)
Facing the possibility of dying
can cause more fear,
desperation, and inner anguish
if the person is not striving to
come to terms with this
possibility.
Opportunity to use religious and philosophical
beliefs to seek meaning and purpose in
one’s life.
(Kneier, A.W., 2003)
Patients who are hopeful and optimistic
show better adjustment to illness than
patients who are pessimistic
(Kneier, A.W., 2003)
Your emotions would be a mix of worry and hope
proportional to the negative and positive
aspects of his or her prognosis.
Feeling worried or upset is
tempered by feelings of
hope and optimism.
(Kneier, A.W., 2003)
Stay more in the present moment
Focus on what is important to you at this time
in your life
Counter feelings of uncertainty with regularly
scheduled events and activities
Do not be afraid to plan for future vacations
or travel
Attitudes and behaviors that have an
adaptive intent when dealing with a
threatening situation.
Adopting ways of thinking and ways of
behaving that aim to address the
situation in a constructive manner and to
safeguard one’s emotional state and to
promote adjustment.
The style of coping that works best for one
person may not work so well for another.
What works best depends on an
individual’s personality, current life
situation and past coping behavior.
Your coping strategies need to be tailored
to the specific demands posed by your
diagnosis and treatment regimen which
vary from case to case.
Coping with cancer is a process that goes
on over months and years, and patients
use different strategies at different times
depending on a variety of factors.
Patients have a greater sense of peace,
inner strength, and ability to cope. They
tend to have improved psychological
adjustment and improved quality of life.
(Kneier, A.W., 2003)
Illness as an opportunity for positive
change in the patient’s life.
Time for reflection on the ultimate values
and priorities in their life.
(Kneier, A.W., 2003)
Threat and opportunity: Threats to self
esteem lead to depression. Opportunity to
discover new sources of self esteem.
Maintaining normal activities and embracing
new ways of doing things.
(Kneier, A.W., 2003)
It is psychologically better for you to reach out
and take advantage of support that is
available.
(Kneier, A.W., 2003)
Talk to those who will listen and understand
Ask for what you need
Speak from your heart to those you love
Family, friends, counselors, clergy and faith
community
Supportive organizations:
Living Beyond Breast Cancer
1-888-753-5222
www.lbbc.org
The wellness Community- Philadelphia
215-879-7733
www.thewellnesscomunity.org
Advanced Breast Cancer Community
www.advancedbreastcancercommunity.org
Breast Cancer Network of Strength
www.networkofstrength.org
Your Shoes 24/7 breast cancer support
1-800-221-2141
1-800-986-9505 (Español)
National Cancer Institute
1-800-4 cancer
www.cancer.gov
American Cancer Society
1-800-ACS-2345
www.cancer.org
Cancer Care
1-800-813-HOPE
www.cancercare.org