Some of us are fortunate enough to have access to medical care when breast cancer is diagnosed, but for most of us, our emotional needs are often overlooked. A cancer diagnosis can be emotionally overwhelming with so many decisions, so many unfamiliar and frightening terms, so many strangers involved in planning our treatment options.
Fear is often a constant companion.
Women say they feel like they are falling apart inside, yet sometimes think that they must not show how devastated they really feel. In the whirlwind of appointments, there is no time for the emotional side of this disease. However, emotional support is a vital component of breast cancer treatment. When people are confronted with cancer, healing requires both emotional and physical assistance. A growing body of evidence confirms the importance of psychosocial interventions in dealing with breast cancer.