Opening up about cancer and mental health

Abstract

Everyone understands the tragedy of cancer; however, the severity of its effects are only known to those who have first-hand experience. Thus, not everyone understands how it feels to receive a diagnosis yourself or to support a loved one, or how colleagues and peers react at work and school. It begs the question: why are people who are dealing with a cancer diagnosis often still keeping it a secret?

I have spoken with many patients who were diagnosed with cancer during their childhood or as a teenager or young adult; in this scenario, the parents are responsible for bringing their children to a check-up in the hospital or their health practitioner, which also comes with a heavy emotional burden. A patient who recently finished her chemotherapy told me that she did not want to talk with high school friends about her diagnosis and that she would select carefully when and to whom she would open up about her cancer. People would react differently, ranging from overly friendly to avoiding the topic at all, meaning that it quickly became clear who her true friends were and who she could trust. Now that she has finished treatment, she still does not necessarily bring up the topic with new friends on her college campus. However, speaking with someone who is aware of how difficult life can be after cancer can enable her to understand her circumstances and support her during her studies, as college life can be hard on anyone, even those in perfect health.