Case Study Of Jane's Diagnosis Of Cancer

Jane sat patiently in the office of doctor Stein’s office while she waited for her to return with the test results. Feeling frustrated with the incorrect test results she had received on her last visit, she had insisted they redo the test because of the obvious errors in the results. Jane didn’t feel sick, so she couldn’t possible have something as harmful as cancer. The tests clearly had been incorrect or false. Jane had come to Dr. Stein because she was well regarded in the community and spoken highly of by her associates and Jane’s friends. As Jane sat admiring the awards and degrees plastered on the wall in Dr. Stein’s office, she heard a quiet knock on the door and Dr. Stein entered. Returning with the test results, she sat down as she began to explain to Jane, “it looks like what the previous results showed confirming the diagnosis of cancer. It is early on so this diagnosis is not a death sentence and it is still very treatable. I would like you to come make an appointment for as soon as possible so we can start treatment right away and minimize the cancer spreading”. As Jane took in the information she shook her head. “I can’t believe how the test can come back with the same wrong results! Do I look like I have cancer? I am young and …show more content…
The source of anxiety for Jane is her diagnosis of cancer, even though she thinks and feels that she is healthy. The use of this mechanism was effective for Jane not having to think about the anxiety of the situation of having cancer, by ignoring the diagnosis and believing the test were wrong, she was able to still continue her life as is and be happy. Her denial is problematic as it is stopping her from seeking help fixing the problem and dealing with it, refusing cancer treatment, which can make her problem worse overall by ignoring it and not starting