Religious people become fearful, too. For many people, managing their fear of death begins with talking about it. The dialogue often begins when a patient asks if he or she is going to die, King says. That's a good opening to talk to them about what they think death will be like. But King also respects those who wish to keep their fears to themselves.
Fear of pain is a major worry for many people diagnosed with cancer.
Today, however, pain specialists can do much to control cancer pain if and when it occurs. Furthermore, addiction to painkillers is unusual, said King. Today, too, patients learn non-drug strategies to control both fear and mild pain through guided imagery, distraction, massage, and relaxation therapy. Many cancer patients also contend with fears about who will care for their family while they're in the hospital, whether their cancer will make them dependent on others, or whether their personal relationships will suffer because of their disease. They may even fear being abandoned.