When 35-year-old Seema was diagnosed with breast cancer, she was shocked. And even before she had time to come to terms with the news, she was put through a battery of tests that had been recommended by her doctor. What proved to be her undoing was the fact that she’d had no counselling whatsoever to come to terms with the reality.
Being diagnosed with breast cancer can come as a huge shock to many. It may take a patient time to accept the reality and often most refuse to even believe the diagnosis. The trauma alone can send them into a downward spiral, with patients often losing control over their lives. Feelings of isolation, anxiety, anger and fear of dying are common. But the fear of losing a breast is the most common.
This is where counselling can play an important role in helping patients and their families be better informed, better prepared and more importantly, feel more in control at every stage of the treatment.
Cancer does not just affect the body. It affects the mind, body and soul. Counselling constitutes 50 per cent of treatment and plays a huge role in the recovery of mind, body and soul. It involves discussion about the diagnosis and various treatment options in a sensitive and supportive environment. The specialist should clarify doubts. In fact, one of the most essential requirements of a good specialist is to be a good counsellor who listens to patients and help allay their anxieties.
When the patient in question is especially young, the trauma of losing a breast can be worse. Fear of facing the world and especially loved ones, may leave them traumatised and reluctant to even undergo a surgery to save their lives. The specialist with the help of a dedicated counsellor should reinforce the importance of the surgery and how one can cope with life after undergoing the procedure. Equally, they should be able to provide extended care following discharge from the hospital.
It is a well recognised fact that improved outcomes for breast cancer can be achieved if specialists with a declared interest and training in breast diseases manage these patients in dedicated comprehensive breast centres.
The writer is the director, KIMS-USHALAKSHMI Centre for Breast Diseases, Hyderabad.
Optimum care
- Patients diagnosed with breast cancer often find it hard to come to terms with the diagnosis.
- The trauma of losing a breast can often deter a patient from seeking surgery to save their lives.
- A specialist should, with the aid of a counsellor, help his patient come to terms with reality and educate them about leading a normal life post-surgery.