October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and along with a diagnosis of breast cancer comes some very strong psychological reactions. These affect the patient as well as family members. The initial reaction to a diagnosis of breast cancer can vary from individual to individual depending on coping styles, age of the patient, pre and post-operative expectations, and psychological functioning. Many patients experience reactions of anxiety, grief, hopelessness and helplessness.
Some patients experience panic feelings, some feel guilt that they could have done something to prevent this, these emotions often lead to feelings of being overwhelmed with decision-making during this traumatic event. During this time many seek help at RCBM for supportive therapy for themselves as well as for family members. We have therapists here who are experienced in working with patients going through breast cancer treatments as well as therapists who are trained to work with children of patients who may need help expressing their fears and concerns about their mother’s diagnosis.
Often times, caregivers of the cancer patient are overlooked. The significant others, whether it be a spouse, parent or close friend are trying to support the patient as well as the children, hold down a job, run a household and maintain a positive outlook. This will invariably wear down the resolve of the caregiver and may lead them to seek help in the form of supportive therapy also. There are many avenues to helping a family get through a breast cancer diagnosis and here at RCBM we take into account the needs of the patient and the family as a whole. Individual, marital and family sessions provide the opportunity for each individual to express emotions that they may be experiencing during this stressful time in their lives.
The Staff at RCBM are here to meet the needs of each individual and we encourage our patients to be active participants in their care.
C. Lynn Florek, MA, LLP, LPC
Psychotherapist
