Every day is pink. October is considered the pink month, because it is dedicated to raise awareness about breast cancer, the most common type of disease and the leading cause of death in women worldwide.

Awareness is raised and a call is made to self-examination and to go to the doctor immediately in case of any change. In this way we work on prevention, which facilitates treatment in the event of a finding so that it is easier to combat.

Is psychological help necessary in the face of breast cancer?

During the pre-diagnosis, anxiety usually stands out, an emotion that causes great distraction and could generate conflicts such as poor work performance, problems with the family or partner, among others. So the answer is yes, psychological help is necessary.

When faced with a diagnosis of cancer, the stages of crisis will begin, which include shock, denial, anger, sadness, resignation and acceptance; in a cyclical manner, which implies that it will be repeated. Again, not having the psychological tools to cope with it will generate problems beyond the disease.

And during treatment, whether hormonal, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or surgery, major life changes will occur that will require a great deal of resilience, adaptability and confidence.

Self-esteem

It is not new that self-esteem is an area that requires a lot of work, especially for women, if from childhood we grow up with high standards of beauty. Therefore, it is perhaps what will be most affected by a breast cancer process. The person will suffer changes in mood and physical changes that will strongly impact self-esteem. So it will be necessary to strengthen it so that the changes do not alter so much.

7 steps to increase resilience

Resilience enables people to cope with adverse life situations.

The reality is that no one wants to suffer from cancer and that no matter how early it is detected, it will involve a process that no one wants to go through, it will be tiring and exhausting.
Sense of humor: I know that when faced with the possibility of suffering from something serious it is very difficult to be in a good mood, we must try to look for the fun in the negative.
Support network: going to psychology will be a great support during the process, which will enhance good family, work and personal relationships. No one should carry a condition alone.
Personal space: as long as the body allows it, give yourself space for what you like to do. If it is possible to exercise, read a book, watch movies, in general, keep some hobby that is practiced individually to have space for reflection.
Creativity: crises teach us to manage emotions, thus adding learning and activating creativity to try to solve conflicts.
Sense of life: the positive aspects of life must be valued, why it is worthwhile to undergo treatment, which often has to do with spiritual or family issues, but the individual's sense of life must also be emphasized.
Future: many activities may be limited during the process, but after some time, in the future, they could be resumed or rethought.

Cancer is a disease that knocks at the door without warning. Motivation and maintaining a good state of mind is the cornerstone to fight and defeat it.

To read more articles by our Psychologist Rosa visit her blog. blog.

Rosa Fonseca Brenes

Psychologist

MBA Organizational Development