Focus on mental health – how patients with breast cancer and their families respond to negative emotions
When one of the families is diagnosed with cancer, the impact on the family is no less than a thunderstorm. Breast cancer patients are diagnosed not only with the cruel reality of being diagnosed with cancer, but may also face the fact of losing one side or even both. They face greater and more complex psychological stress than general cancer patients, which directly affects their mental health. The caregiver for breast cancer is faced not only with the enormous burden of tumours, but also with the main care tasks, as well as economic and social stress, and with a high incidence of anxiety and depression. And how does a breast cancer patient and his family cope with bad emotions?
1. Adjusting the perception that breast cancer is not an incurable disease
The first step in dealing with bad moods is that breast cancer patients and their families need to be properly aware of breast cancer. According to the Global Cancer Statistics Report 2020,1 breast cancer has surpassed lung cancer as the most prevalent cancer in the world, but, more importantly, its treatment is being updated as the incidence of breast cancer increases. From the simple mastectomy of the 18th century, to the later expansion of the root operation, to the present-day combination of surgery, chemotherapy, decomposition and endocrinotherapy,2 unlike the simple “one-size-fits-all” of the past, doctors will develop individualized treatments for each patient, based on the different clinical characteristics of the patient and the mechanisms of the disease, to achieve the best possible treatment, and the survival of breast cancer patients will increase significantly. For example, the CDK4/6 inhibitor combination of endocrinology treatment for later-stage estrogen-positive breast cancers has benefited from good clinical outcomes, with a significant improvement of the total life period and a contribution to the survival and well-being of breast cancer patients. Breast cancer is not uncommon and is not scary, and it is only with the right awareness that positive optimism can be met.
2. Living well, out of the shadows
Long-term adverse moods can lead to intoxication, low immunity and increased risk of breast cancer. Also, the mood of breast cancer patients is extremely sensitive to family members at this time, so that not only are patients with breast cancer to be treated in a positive manner, but they also have to practice and maintain a good mindset, which is also a means of preventing the deterioration of the condition. Patients and their families should transfer their excessive fear of disease and be able to listen to music that is easy to enjoy, which improves their anxiety, stress, fear and depression, increases their pain and suffering during treatment, regulates their immunization and contributes to their rehabilitation. In addition, activities such as yoga, sit-ins and meditation can be practiced, which can relax physical and mental well-being and alleviate negative emotions, as well as to develop or develop their own interests and pleasures so that they can have a positive attitude.
3. Timely communication and sharing of challenges
If the patient is under stress and self-regulating is not effective, he or she should communicate with his or her family or with the doctor in a timely manner, and the doctor may make a targeted psychological intervention, with the help of the family and the doctor and with the patient ‘ s own supervision, to overcome the psychological difficulties and achieve better treatment.
References:
1) Liu Zongxia, Li Chul Xuan, Zhang Yang, etc. Interpretation of [J]. Global Cancer Statistics Report 2020, Electronic Journal of Oncology Integrated Treatment, 2021,7(2): 1-13 DOI: 10.12151/JMCM.2021.02-01.
2) Seo Jun Ha. “3-step” on breast cancer treatment development [J]. General Health, 2001 (1):14.
Lu, Yen-Shen et al., “Updadated Overall Survival of Riboccrib plus Endocrine Therapy Vossus Endocrine Alle in Pre- and Perimenopausal Patients with HR+/HER2-Advanced Breast Cancer in MONALEESA-7: A Case III Randomized Clinical Trial.”: an official journal of the American Society 28,5 (2022): 851-859.
4) Liu Yuzhen, Wang Qui, Cai Zai Yiy. Application of joint psychiatric care for breast cancer patients [J]. Medical research and practice in health care, 2022,19 (8):188-191. DOI: 10.11986/j.issn.1673-873X-2022.08.046.
Breast cancer
