Sometimes, however, it is the other way round. You may find that it is your family and friends who are denying your illness. They may appear to ignore the fact that you have cancer, perhaps by playing down your anxieties and symptoms or deliberately changing the subject. If this upsets or hurts you, try telling them. Start perhaps by reassuring them that you do know what is happening and that it will help you if you can talk to them about your illness.
Anger can hide other feelings such as fear or sadness.
You may vent your anger on those who are closest to you and on the doctors and nurses who are caring for you. If you have a religious faith, you may feel angry with your God. However, relatives and friends may not always realise that your anger is really directed at your illness and not against them. If you are finding it difficult to talk to your family, it may help to discuss the situation with a trained counsellor or psychologist. Sometimes people blame themselves or other people for their illness, trying to find reasons why it should have happened to them.