It is difficult to come up with one correct answer for telling a patient that they have cancer. Cancer of any kind is considered a terminal disease, irrespective of how early it is detected. It is difficult to judge a patient&rsquo;s reaction, but it usually consists of shock, anger and helplessness.&nbsp;
It is essential for the oncologist or physician to break the news in a respectable manner, with empathy and listening to their patient&rsquo;s worries, it is the physician's job to give their patient hope regarding their treatment.

Pic: Canva | dstaerk

<span style="font-size: 20pt; font-family: Nunito, sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How can a Psychologist help?
<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Nunito, sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The role of a psychologist in an oncology set-up is quite important, as they can help in managing the mental wellbeing of the patient. Cancer might be a physical illness but it also preys upon a person&rsquo;s mind.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Nunito, sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Studies have shown that mental health treatment can help with the patient&rsquo;s chances of survival. A psychologist can help the patient to express their concerns - regarding their family, their finances, their jobs, and even their chance of survival. Therapy can be a good form of treatment for a cancer patient, it might help unload mentally.&nbsp;
<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Nunito, sans-serif; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Many studies show that cancer patients often suffer through anxiety and depression as well, some people even reported symptoms similar to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Nunito, sans-serif; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.

Pic: Canva | SHVETS

Depression&nbsp;
Feeling of helplessness
Anxiety pertaining to the treatment
Feeling of guilt and hopelessness
Lack of motivation to do anything&nbsp;
Feeling of helplessness
Feeling of becoming a burden on others
Negative body image
Lack of sleep or inability to sleep

Psychological problems, that the patient or even their caregivers might face are:-

<h1>Therapy for the Patient and Family</h1>
When the individual comes to the hospital for the tests to be conducted for their treatment, the oncologist should refer the patient and their family to a Psychologist.&nbsp;
During this process, the patient is given ample opportunity to talk about their illness in front of the therapist and caregivers. The patient could also experience denial and be very angry as to why they have to go through all this.
It would not come as a surprise to learn that therapy can be useful for not only the cancer patient, but also their family and caregiver.
Consultations with a psychologist should be scheduled regularly, where the stress responses are managed with supportive counselling, mindful relaxation, teaching healthy coping techniques for the patient and the caregivers. Mental Wellness Therapy can help with the treatment and can lead to a better outcome and also better quality of life.

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