If you were a woman hearing for the first time that the unknown growth in your breast was cancerous and had to be removed immediately, what would come to mind first, before surgery or any treatments? Or worse, would your mind be so preoccupied about all the things that had to be done first, from shifting schedules to sharing the news with your loved ones, that you'd forget to do the one thing you promised you wouldn't do -- neglect yourself emotionally -- during your next personal crisis?
Taking human nature into account, realistically, it would be very surprising if dealing with the flood of emotions actually made a breast cancer-patient's top 10 mental task list from the get-go. Considering one out of eight women will hear that diagnosis sometime during her lifetime, however, it should, says Dr. Robin Lally, an assistant professor at the University of Buffalo.
After conducting interviews with 18 patients between ages 18-37 diagnosed with breast cancer (stages 0-II) within the first three weeks of their diagnosis to determine how they adapt internally to the news, Dr. Lally identified a three-step process women generally follow when they're faced with this life-changing news:
* Reflecting internally for a time about how breast cancer affects them and their loved ones.
* Taking control of their environment, for example, by consciously reducing the negative thoughts they have.
* Incorporating cancer into their daily lives and thinking about the future.
Looking back, Dr. Lally was surprised how much mental energy women spend thinking about their diagnosis and strategies to control their environments to protect themselves from moments when their battle with cancer becomes the center of attention at work and in social situations. Perhaps, women wouldn't feel so blindsided and alone if they were aware from the outset just how much support was available to them from organizations like the Breast Cancer Sisterhood and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, celebrating its 25th anniversary this month.
You are never alone…
Cancer Nursing, Vol. 33, No. 4, pp. 268-279, July-August 2010
University of Buffalo NewsCenter September 9, 2010