Cancer is an emotional diagnosis too

Cancer is a big ordeal. In addition to its physical toll, cancer results in somewhat predictable psychological turmoil. Understanding the typical sequence of emotions and the reasons for that volatility makes it a little easier to support patients through the experience — as a friend, loving caregiver or health professional. Although DNA, life experiences, personalities, relationships and habits influence how individuals feel, internalize and express those emotions, recognizing the patterns and helping patients understand the physiological changes that drive them can go a long way toward validating the experience, and building the resiliency needed to cope.