The Emotions of Breast Cancer

By Jeanne Mullen, MSW, ACSW, LISW

Hearing that you have breast cancer is a great shock for most women. In your mind it could be the worst thing to hear and the last thing you expect. At first, you may feel completely overwhelmed. You may have trouble thinking, eating and sleeping. These are normal reactions. As time moves on, your feelings can change rapidly. You may feel denial, anger, stress, anxiety or depression.

You may also feel lonely. These feelings are also common in the people who are close to you. Knowing that you have cancer can make you feel that you have less control over your life. You can gain more control by learning as much as you can about your illness. Make sure that all of your questions/concerns are addressed by your health care providers.

Remember that it is acceptable to get a second opinion about your cancer diagnosis and treatment plan if you feel the need to do so. Feelings of anger can be directed at the cancer, your fate, health care providers, or healthy friends and your family. These feelings of anger often come from other feelings more difficult to express such as fear, panic, frustration, and helplessness. Ignoring or trying to cover up your emotions may make you feel worse.

The best way to deal with these emotions is to talk about them. It can lessen the stress they cause. If you are not comfortable talking about your feelings you can keep a daily journal to express your thoughts and feelings. Another way to deal with your stress is to attend a support group to talk to others who understand what you are going through. You can also do relaxation exercises or learn to meditate. People who have religious faith often turn to prayer to help them.

Professional counseling is also available. Ask to see a social worker at your Cancer Treatment Center. No one needs to face breast cancer alone. Help is available from family members, friends, other individuals dealing with cancer, members of the clergy, and health professionals. It is okay to ask for help. This is a sign of strength, not weakness. Living with cancer may be the biggest challenge you have ever faced.

​It is important to work through your personal feelings and to go on living and enjoying each day. Remember to set goals so that you have something to look forward to accomplishing. These goals should be for tomorrow, next week and next year. As one breast cancer survivor put it, “Cancer granted me the vision to see each day as precious, a gift to be used wisely and richly.” For some women, a support group is a good option to help in dealing the emotions.

There are several options available her in the Cedar Valley:

• Touch of Courage – Breast Cancer Support Group meets the 1st Monday of each month (unless a holiday, then the following Monday) at 1;30 pm in the Kimball Ridge Center 2101 Kimball Avenue, Waterloo. Contact Pat Buls at 319- 232-8691 for more information.
• Splash of Color – Breast Cancer Support Group for Women of Color meets the 2nd Thursday of February, May, August and November from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Waterloo Public Library, 415 Commercial Street, Waterloo. Contact Cathy Ketton at 319-493- 8857 for more information.
• Young Cancer Survivors Meet, Mingle and Learn is an educational event for all young (and youn at heart) women with any type of cancer. It is held the 3rd Tuesday of January, April, June and September at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 3912 Cedar Heights Dr., Cedar Falls (south of AEA267). Contact Gabbi DeWitt at 319-292- 2225 for more information.
• Care and Share Support Group for anyone dealing with any type of cancer meets the 1st Tuesday of each month at 1:30 pm at the Covenant Cancer Treatment Center, 200 E Ridgeway., Waterloo. Contact Jeanne Mullen at 319-272- 2816.
• Waverly Breast Cancer support Group meets the 4th Saturday of each month at 9:00 am at the Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2001 W Bremer Ave., Waverly. Contact Ann Henniger Trax at 319-352- 5108.
• Grundy Center Breast Cancer Support Group meets the 1st Monday of February, May, August and November from 4;45-6:45 pm at Grundy County Hospital. Contact Kristi Barnet at 319-824- 4129 for more information.
• West Union Breast Cancer Support Group meets quarterly at Palmer Lutheran health Center, 112 Jefferson St, West Union. Contact Loretta Lerch at 563-422-9705 or 563-774-2101 for dates and times.
• Look Good … Feel Better is sponsored by the American Cancer Society. A volunteer stylist will assist those in cancer treatment with a complimentary makeover and skin care session from 1:30- 3;30 pm at the Covenant Cancer Treatment Center, 200 E Ridgeway Ave., Waterloo. Call ACS at 319- 493-8857 for dates. 

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