Psychological development of cancer patients according to each stage of the disease

Cancer has many stages, according to which, the patient's psychology also goes through different ups and downs. Knowing and understanding the psychological development of cancer patients is also a way to treat the disease, helping to lighten the burden of disease somewhat.

Suspicion is the first response in most patients diagnosed with cancer, especially in the context of an incidental finding during screening without showing any symptoms. “Did this doctor diagnose correctly?”, “Why cancer and not another disease?”, “I guess my test results were mistaken for someone else?”... are among the queues. A series of questions are posed, thick in the patient's mind. At this stage, some people receive it with surprise, surprise, and then quietly seek "truth" elsewhere. They went to more doctors, demanding more tests, hoping to prove that the other result was completely false. On the contrary, some people will fall into a state of depression and melancholy that cannot be released.
Indeed, it is extremely difficult for doctors, even those who have worked for a long time, to announce a definite diagnosis of cancer to patients and their family members. Because this is a very complex psychological shock, it requires the doctor to be able to empathize well with the other's psychology, not only in the professional aspect. In some advanced medical centers, medical staff are required to undergo a training in reporting bad news before practicing. In some cases, the doctor should ask for help from the family, need to avoid and understate when facing the patient directly, such as telling that the patient is not sure that the patient has cancer but only suspecting it. Patients have time to gradually adapt, but at the same time, it is necessary to conduct accurate tests to confirm cancer diagnosis and plan early treatment.

When many places have been examined for the same conclusion, when seeing unusual daily manifestations on their own body that are consistent with the disease, the patient has to admit that they have cancer. At this time, the patient's spirit can gradually reduce stress and full of hope. They realize that time is short, so it requires them to quickly conduct all treatment measures with absolute confidence. They hope for medical methods that will help them repel the malignancy.
For the above reasons, this is considered a "golden time" for doctors to intervene to treat and reassure patients. And this "golden time" is really valuable if it falls in the early stages of the disease, when the prognosis for cure is still high. Besides, each cancer has a different course of treatment, the same pathology but at each stage also has different interventions. Accordingly, the selection or combination of surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy depends on the professional indication of the doctor; At the same time, there is also a certain percentage of effectiveness and unavoidable side effects. However, medical staff need to have good communication skills, know how to skillfully take advantage of this "golden moment" to gain trust and compliance from patients as well as overcome unexpected complications. desire. Moreover, never commit to the patient absolute things with words like "it won't hurt", "it's okay", "will be cured", ... because when you realize these things are not true, they will unfortunately lose faith and unknowingly shorten the time of hope, or even give up treatment or choose other unorthodox treatments. At the same time, during the treatment period, if the condition allows, the doctor should encourage the patient to do what they love or even arouse religious faith. This will help the patient's psychology to be better relieved, overcome the fear of illness.

When suffering more and more because of cancer, when the body is deformed and the treatment methods are no longer effective, including unsophisticated methods such as self-healing, going to a healer, taking medicine men..., they lost hope and moved to the stage of accepting the disease. Although they may continue to monitor and use treatments, their attitude is “anywhere”, “whatever”.
At this stage, the doctor should consider the palliative care regimen for the patient, both helping the pain of the illness to be alleviated somewhat, and helping the spirit to be lighter. The medical staff in the Palliative Care department are not only professionally trained, but also have the ability to soothe patients' psychology. In particular, psychological therapies and practices are also effectively applied in parallel with the use of drugs. Since then, many studies have also proven that cancer patients with a high score of optimism in many aspects will have a better prognosis, significantly longer life than cancer patients. disease is always pessimistic, depressed.

This is the mentality of patients with terminal cancer, especially when they are "returned from the hospital". At this time, they will think more about death and hope for a future life in another world. Some people who still have the ability to stay awake will ask to directly deal with some unfinished work and relationships. This is what needs to be supported, all prohibitions now have no meaning anymore.
Therefore, the role of the doctor can now be replaced by a supportive nursing team in collaboration with psychologists and religious representatives such as priests and monks. Thinking that life is inherently impermanent, there will be no more pain and suffering due to illness when liberated to the afterlife will help them spend the last days of their lives more peacefully.

Mental health is a big empty space that has not been paid enough attention. Therefore, with the mission of taking care of people's comprehensive health, the Psychology Clinic of Vinmec General Hospital system was established with the goal of examining, consulting and outpatient treatment of psychological problems, mental health, including psychological treatment for cancer patients.
With modern, well-invested equipment, along with a team of doctors who are lecturers of Psychiatry Department of Hanoi Medical University with many years of experience and seniority in the profession and internal doctors. As a resident with solid expertise, the Psychology clinic - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital is capable of implementing psychological tests, intensive psychotherapy for general medical examination and treatment, cancer in particular.
In other words, psychological examination and treatment is also a form of treatment besides specific treatment measures. With the dedication and love of the profession of the team of doctors working at the Psychological Clinic - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital, cancer patients will have more strength and confidence to treat with peace of mind. fight illness; and for terminal patients, although the patient gradually weakens, he will be less pessimistic and sad, still smiling with more peace of mind; even life can be thus prolonged.
In summary, besides specific treatment measures, psychology is also a matter of concern in cancer patients. With good psychological care, the patient himself will gain more confidence and strength on the journey to fight cancer, making the prognosis of the disease more favorable in the long run.