Breast Cancer
Emotional Reaction to a Diagnosis of Breast Cancer
Naturally, the reaction to being told that you have breast cancer is very emotional. Feelings of fear, helplessness, guilt and depression are common. The initial reaction is often denial and rejection of the diagnosis: ‘The test results must be wrong.' 'It cannot be true that I have cancer.’
This denial response is a defence mechanism. It allows a person to adjust to their diagnosis and to eventually acknowledge the fact that they have cancer. The London Breast Institute have Clinical Nurse Specialists with the skills to help patients and their families by providing information and exploring their fears and anxieties.
- The Normal Breast
- What is Breast Cancer?
- What are the different Types of Breast Cancer?
- Am I at Risk of Getting Breast Cancer?
- What Does 'Increased Risk' Mean to Me?
- How Can I Reduce the Risk?
- Breast Screening
- Breast Lumps
- What Happens at the Breast Clinic?
- Emotional Reaction to a Diagnosis of Breast Cancer
- What are the Treatment Options for Breast Cancer?
- Radiotherapy - What is it and How it is Used
- Chemotherapy - What is it and How it is Used
- Hormone Therapy - What is it and How it is Used
- Reconstruction
- Treatment of Non-invasive Breast Cancer
- The Follow-up Clinic