Emotional support for cancer patients: how to build a psychological defence

Emotional support for cancer patients: how to construct a psychological defence against cancer, whose emotional volatility is often inevitable, is essential. First, patients should be brave enough to express their feelings and share their fears with their relatives and friends. Diagnosis of cancer often has a huge psychological impact, and patients may experience complex psychological processes ranging from shock and denial to acceptance. In this process, patients need a safe environment in which to express their feelings, and the listening and support of relatives and friends is indispensable. By listening patiently, providing consolation and encouragement, relatives and friends can help patients to come to terms with reality and give them the courage to continue fighting.Secondly, participating in psychological counselling or support groups, interacting with people experiencing similar challenges, can gain emotional support and understanding. Psychologists can provide professional guidance, help patients deal with emotional problems, learn coping strategies and, where necessary, give advice on drug treatment. The Support Group provides a platform for patients to share their experiences and encourage each other. In the group, patients can hear the stories of others and learn how they cope with similar dilemmas and thus gain inspiration and strength. This collective power is sometimes stronger than individual efforts and can help people build confidence against disease.In addition, relaxing techniques such as meditation or deep breath are developed to help oneself find peace in stress. Pure meditation is an exercise that focuses on the present and accepts non-judgment, helping patients reduce anxiety and stress and improve their emotional control. Deep-breathing techniques are a simple and effective way of relaxing, which can quickly reduce stress and restore inner peace by consciously regulating breathing. These techniques are not only available in everyday life, but even when treated in hospitals, they help patients reduce their discomfort and improve their quality of life.Maintaining a positive lifestyle, engaging in outdoor activities or developing a hobby can effectively improve emotions. Active lifestyles include regular physical exercise, a balanced diet and adequate sleep. Physical exercise not only helps to improve physical qualities, but also releases endorphine, a chemical that can improve moods. Outdoor activities such as walking, jogging or gardening can ease the mood by exposing patients to nature and breathing fresh air. In addition, the development of interests such as drawing, music, reading or crafts can divert patients ‘ attention and reduce excessive attention to diseases, thereby reducing psychological stress.Through the creation of emotional support networks, patients are better able to respond to the psychological challenges of treatment. Emotional support networks include not only families, friends and medical teams, but also community resources, religious groups or volunteer organizations. These networks can provide a wide range of help, including emotional support, information exchange, practical help, etc. For example, some community-based organizations provide transportation services to help patients to and from hospitals; religious groups can provide emotional comfort; and volunteers can accompany patients to talk and reduce their sense of loneliness. Through the support of these networks, the patient can feel the warmth and care of society and strengthen the will to fight the disease.In general, cancer patients need strong psychological support in the face of disease, in addition to the need for specialized medical treatment. By expressing feelings, participating in psychological counselling or support groups, learning relaxing skills, maintaining an active lifestyle and establishing a broad network of emotional support, patients can gradually build up a solid psychological defence to better respond to the psychological challenges of treatment, improve the quality of life, and possibly extend their life. Cancer is a difficult battle, but with adequate psychological preparation and external support, patients have every chance of winning the battle.