Emotional Support

• "Sometimes, I just feel so helpless."
• "I don’t want to talk about my feelings; it’s my loved one who is going through the real pain."
• "I’m scared that I’m going to die."

The words “you have cancer” are frightening and overwhelming. Some people experience feelings of sadness and hopelessness and don’t know whether they can deal with these feelings. It takes an emotional toll on the person diagnosed, as well as everyone close to that person. Support services to help patients cope with the emotional and social impacts of a cancer diagnosis must be included in the standard care patients receive, urges a recent report from the National Academies' Institute of Medicine (IOM).

Life will never be the same after cancer, but it doesn’t mean you stop living. There are many things you can do to handle the emotional impact of cancer. Read these publications to learn helpful tips on coping with difficult feelings.

Counseling and support groups can be of great help in dealing with complex emotions. Take advantage of CancerCare’s free counseling services.

• Coping with Cancer: Tools to Help You Live
• Caregiving for Your Loved One With Cancer
• Helping Children When a Family Member Has Cancer
• “What Can I Say to a Newly Diagnosed Loved One?” [Russian]
• “Caring Advice for Caregivers: How Can You Help Yourself?” [español]
• “Strengthening the Spirit” [español]
• “Young Adults with Cancer”
• “Helping Children Understand Cancer: Talking to Your Kids About Your Diagnosis” [español]
• “Helping Teenagers When a Parent Has Cancer”
• “Helping the Sibling of the Child with Cancer”
• “Relaxation Techniques and Mind/Body Practices: How They Can Help You Cope With Cancer”
• “Breast Cancer: Coping With Your Changing Feelings”
• “Coping with Cancer During the Holidays: Practical Guidelines from CancerCare”
• Finding Counseling and Support Groups
• Coping with Grief and Bereavement