What happens to family of a patient with cancer?

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Cancer continues to be a leading concern among health professionals worldwide. There are more people living with cancer today than ever before. Fortunately new treatments have been discovered, which is a hope for patients and their families.

Not only patients suffer by having cancer, but their family members also suffer by the emotional instabilities that this disease may cause.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “system” as “a regularly interacting or independent group of items forming a unifying whole”. Family is a system; a group of people in which each person affects the behavior, emotions and life of one another.

Cancer affects family members differently than other diseases that do not last for a long period of time. People may react differently as a result of having a loved one with cancer. Here are common feelings that people will present when they have a family with this health condition:
       
        • Worried and nervous about the future
        • Optimistic and supportive
        • Afraid of losing the loving one
        • Angry because their own life has changed
        • Tense because of pressures and need to make difficult decisions
        • Sorry for seeing the suffering of a family member
        • Concerned, but showing indifference
        • Sad
        • Depressed

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Remember that each person behaves differently. If one family member seems to be indifferent or angry, it is important to communicate to this person and try to understand his or her feelings, thoughts and actions.

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Having a positive attitude towards cancer is good for both, the patient and family members. Focusing on the “here-and-now” is important and taking each day at a time. The fact that a family member has cancer does not mean that this person is going to die from it. Medical professionals have been developing different research and new ways to treat cancer have been showing good results.

Based on the National Cancer Institute, there are more than 100 types of cancer.  Becoming familiar with the type of cancer that your family member has, as well as the options of treatment available is helpful. Keep in mind that people respond differently from the same type of treatment, so results vary depending on each person.

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If you have a family member or a friend with cancer, it is important to be supportive, and to respect the person’s opinions, emotions, reactions, etc. It is usually a moment of immense tension and concerns for the person who has the disease, so be patient and show the love you have for him or her.

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