Mental Unsettlement In Cancer Patients

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Did you know that the leading cause of death in the United States is cancer? Magill’s Medical Guide defines cancer as an “inappropriate and uncontrollable cell growth within one of the specialized tissues of the body, threatening normal cell and organ function and in serious cases traveling via the bloodstream to other areas of the body.” (Hosick) One who has a grandmother currently battling cancer and a grandfather who has died of cancer understands the havoc it causes on the victim as well as the victim’s loved ones. When a person is diagnosed with cancer, it causes mental unsettlement and suffering. First, cancer causes a person to experience immense mental unrest. The immediate diagnosis of cancer exponentially effects the mental health of cancer patients. Their lives are turned completely around and thrown into a pits of uncertainty by three little words: “You have cancer.” A study shows that recently diagnosed cancer patients are at a great risk for committing suicide because of the massive effect it has on the patient’s mental health. (Yamauchi) Another factor that contributes to mental unsettlement in cancer …show more content…
Perhaps the most obvious element is the physical suffering of the cancer patient. Cancer takes control the body as if it were and unrelenting tyrant. The victim becomes extremely sick and weak from the illness as well as from the treatment. Another aspect that suffers from cancer is one’s finances. People will go to extreme lengths to help their loved ones defeat cancer. Many drain their bank accounts because they have little knowledge of the financial resources that are available to them. (Smith, Nicolla, Zafar) Emotional suffering is the most painful of the types of suffering caused by cancer. Seeing a loved one deteriorate and eventually die of cancer is extremely hurtful and can affect you for the rest of your life. Physical, financial, and emotional suffering are prime elements caused by