Emphasizing that breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women, Specialist Clinical Psychologist Ecem Özcan Tatlıdil drew attention to the importance of psychological support from spouses and said, “Patients with better marital satisfaction and emotional support from their spouses have fewer depressive symptoms, problems with sexual life and body perception.”
Providing information about the psychological factors of breast cancer, Liv Hospital Ankara Psychology Department's Specialist. Klnk. Ps. Ecem Özcan Tatlıdil said, “Breast cancer is the most researched type of cancer in terms of psychological and psychosocial aspects among cancers to date because it damages the organ representing femininity and sexuality.”
“It can trigger depression and anxiety disorders”
Pointing out that breast cancer can trigger major depression and anxiety disorders, especially adjustment disorder, Uzm. Klnk. Psk. Ecem Özcan Tatlıdil said, “It can also threaten the person's perception of sexuality, self-esteem and narcissistic integrity with disorders such as suicide and delirium due to sleep disorders and fear of cancer recurrence.”
Post-diagnosis reactions are analyzed in 5 stages
Stating that the reactions that occur after a cancer diagnosis may differ from person to person depending on factors such as culture, age and socioeconomic status, Tatlıdil said, “The most common reaction in the first stage is shock and disbelief. The most common reaction at this stage is denial. Denial is followed by anger, bargaining period, depression stage and finally acceptance.”
“The patient should be allowed to express their concerns at every stage”
Stating that women may experience anxiety, uneasiness, sadness, shame and anger, as well as sleep and eating problems, body perception and self-esteem problems during surgery and recovery, Tatlıdil said, “Informing the patient at every stage and helping her to express her questions and concerns is of great importance for recovery.”
“Unintervened physical findings may result in psycho-social problems”
Stating that the emergence of psychosocial problems is almost inevitable if the physical findings of the patients persist for a long time and if they are not intervened, Uzm. Klnk. Psk. Tatlıdil said the following:
“Side effects that negatively affect patients' daily lives include loss of energy, fatigue, pain, nausea and vomiting, hormonal changes and sleep problems caused by various treatments for cancer.”
“Coping strategies are vital”
Stating that one of the factors affecting the treatment results and survival rates of women with breast cancer is their coping strategies, Uzman. Klnk. Psk. Tatlıdil shared the following information:
“Coping strategy has two main functions. The first one is to deal with the problem that causes distress, known as problem-oriented coping. The other is to regulate stressful emotions, known as emotion-focused coping. In addition, individuals can also use the denial defense mechanism, although it is not a healthy reaction.”
“Emotional support of spouses is very important in breast cancer”
Tatlıdil said that during a long treatment process, most of the patients sometimes have difficulty in finding the necessary energy to maintain their social relationships and may lack the necessary support when they need it the most. “Family support and psycho-social support in breast cancer patients are protective in terms of mental disorders and help in the process of adaptation to and fight against the disease. Depression and anxiety symptoms are less common in these patients.”
Pointing out that depressive symptoms, problems related to sexual life and body perception are less common in patients with better marital satisfaction and emotional support from their spouses, Specialist. Klnk. Psk. Tatlıdil said, “As a result, adequate social support is very important in reducing psychological problems experienced during the adaptation process and can help reduce the stress experienced by patients.”
“Balanced nutrition should not be neglected”
Speaking about what needs to be done for mental health in breast cancer, Uzm. Klnk. Psk. Tatlıdil said, “According to the results of the researches, methods such as balanced nutrition, doing appropriate and regular physical activity adapted to life in consultation with physicians, receiving psychotherapy support, distracting attention and focus instead of resorting to danger and threat scenarios (what if it happens again, etc.) are of great benefit in the process of fighting breast cancer.”
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