Adapting to Change is Everyone's Task

The simple fact of facing cancer is challenging, it comes to change the current reality of the patient and their companions, everything is new and many doubts arise. That is why creating a solid support network is important.

Psychological care for patients and their families can help manage emotions and adapt to the disease. An oncology psychologist can help with:

1. Improving their quality of life.
2. Communication tools, such as delivering bad news.
3. Reducing stress, anxiety, or depression.
4. Improving relationships with others, including the patient.
5. Increasing gratitude and compassion.
6. Maintaining healthy habits.

For family members, psychological care can help with:

Improving their quality of life. Communication tools, such as delivering bad news. Reducing stress, anxiety, or depression. Improving relationships with others, including the patient. Increasing gratitude and compassion. Maintaining healthy habits.

During treatment, patients may go through different emotional phases, we know that each patient is unique, however, some of the most common feelings are anxiety, worry, fear, anger, loneliness, among others.

To provide security and comfort to the patient, we recommend above all to listen, in silence and with respect, to really understand how they feel. It is common for those who perform the great task of caring for an oncology patient to try to change the way the patient feels or acts.

It is important not to underestimate or judge, it is much more valuable to let the patient know that you are willing to listen at any time they wish, so they will feel free to express themselves and above all, they will feel supported by their loved ones. To help in a way that has a real impact on the patient’s life, we recommend offering a concrete and feasible task to execute, such as:

1. Support with transporting children or activities depending on the patient’s case.
2. Bring food once a week.
3. Assist with bureaucratic procedures.
4. Organize general care or medication management.
5. Engage in recreational activities such as walks, laughter, or games as much as possible.
6. Take charge of improving the quality of their diet.

We know that each bond is unique and each relationship has its characteristics, it is completely normal to feel insecure about the help we can offer since cancer is a disease that generates fear and therefore a disease that no one wants to talk about, however, the most important thing is to remember that there is always something new to do to be a little better.