The emotional side effects of skin cancer during treatments can be overwhelming. Your emotions will be targeted by what type of skin cancer you have and what stage it is in. Your emotions will be effected by your support group and how open you are with your friends, family, and medical team. They type of treatment you are receiving will compound all of these emotions.
Skin Cancer
There are three major types of skin cancer- basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.1 Anyone facing each of these types of skin cancer will face emotions during treatments.
Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are two lesser forms of skin cancer based on outcomes.2 This does not mean a person diagnosed with either of these forms of skin cancer will not feel the same emotions as a person diagnosed with melanoma, the most severe form of skin cancer.
Once you receive a skin cancer diagnosis you will begin to plan your treatment with your health care team for the type of skin cancer you have. This is when the fears – the thoughts that you may have skin cancer – become real. You are now facing treatment for cancer and must prepare yourself for both the physical and emotional effects.
The Emotions Begin
If you have been diagnosed with skin cancer you know the emotional roller coaster begins the moment you first notice the odd the skin lesion or mole. Emotional upheavals do not begin with your diagnosis; they begin before your doctor ever confirms what you may already dread. You have skin cancer.
Once you receive a diagnosis the emotions only intensify. On top of the way you are feeling you also have many decisions to make concerning your health care plans. It is at this point that you become besieged. And, these feelings of being overwhelmed can affect the outcome of your treatment.3 Patients who have a positive mindset and are not consumed by their emotions will do better throughout the treatment stages.
The best way to overcome these massive emotions is to become an active member of your health care team. Know every aspect of your disease. Know what treatments your doctors are prescribing, the success rates, and if any other treatments are available.
Most importantly, to prepare for emotions during treatments build a stellar support network. Your support network can include friends and family members. It can involve cancer support groups and guidance of former cancer survivors.
Flood of Emotions During Treatment Are To Be Expected
The side effects of cancer treatments are sometimes the most debilitating. Cancer treatment can change your physical appearance, it can make you feel horrible, and it can change your diet and lifestyle, and more.4
Constantly ask questions during treatments for skin cancer. The answers to these questions may not always be what you want to hear, but having an answer is much better than not having an answer.
Let’s look at some of the big questions patients face during treatment that lead to roller coaster emotions:
- How horrible are the side effects? Everybody will respond differently to skin cancer treatments. You may not have any major side effects, especially if you have non-melanoma skin cancers. However, you must prepare yourself. Many people become very sick for cancer treatments.Ask your doctor to explain the normal side effects for the skin cancer treatments. Your health care team will let you know what is unusual and when to call your doctor.If you feel your side effects are out of the ordinary call your doctors and ask for help. He or she may be able to adjust medications or other skin cancer treatments. Remember, your doctor cannot be a proactive member of a treatment team if he does not know how you feel.
- How bad will the permanent physical changes be? This is a question of huge concern for many people facing all types of skin cancer. Skin cancer treatments often involve scarring and tissue removal. The constant thoughts of what you will look like after treatment can lead to debilitating emotions during treatments.
Ask your health care team what you can expect in terms of permanent physical changes. If this is an area of huge concern for you and is creating a flood of emotions, you can ask your doctor to include dermatologists or cosmetic surgeons as a part of your treatment team.
Other Things to Keep in Mind
During treatments you may have the urge to eat fall into the cycle of emotional eating. While overeating will have the same negative effects of weight gain it would if you were not going through treatment, it is important to keep in mind that good foods can help you keep strong for treatment. Do not binge on sugary treats and other ‘bad for you’ food that come with emotional eating. There are different food recommendations for people facing skin cancer treatments. For example, you need to increase your protein daily intake.5
A skin cancer diagnosis leads to conflicting emotions that can become overwhelming during treatments. Take steps to keep a positive attitude and build a good support network. Knowledge and a good health care team will help you combat these emotions.
References
1 Skin Cancer Prevention and Early Detection. (2011) Retrieved from American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerCauses/SunandUVExposure/SkinCancerPreventionandEarlyDetection/skin-cancer-prevention-and-early-detection-u-v-protection
2 Skin Cancer. (2010 August 10) Retrieved from Mayo Clinic: www.mayoclinic.com/health/skin-cancer/DS00190
3 Coping with Cancer: Supportive and Palliative Care. (2011) National Cancer Institute. Retrieved from: www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/coping
4 Ibid
5 Diet – cancer treatment. (2011 August 29) MedlinePlus, Retrieved from: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002439.htm
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