An estimated 1,665,540 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in the last year as of January of 2014. (Seigal, Ma, Zou, & Jemal, 2014). The diagnosis of cancer is a life altering incident that can have a variety of contradicting effects. Through studies you can view the physical and psychological effects cancer can have on an individual. These are usually negative. However, some positive psychological affects can be found. Associated with the effects on the patient you can find a variety of mental and emotional effects diagnosis can have on the family members. In addition, there are financial issues that the family must face, not only during treatment, but for years after as well. While seeing the statistics and effects cancer can have on
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Many find a sense of control after they find out they are cancer free. Survivors become in tune with their health and what they can do to ensure its safety. You can see a common theme among patients after treatment. They begin eating healthy, getting exercise, and making healthy life decisions. Another aspect is that of communication. After overcoming cancer, many families are a lot closer, specifically the patient and their parents. This is usually due to the great lengths parents go, to ensure that the child will persevere. Polls conducted on survivors have shown that most believe they have become more mature, learned about themselves, and are more appreciative and grateful of things in their life. They feel as if their experiences have set them apart and their mindset on life has changed (Zebrack & Landier, 2011). These positive and negative effects are not solely found in the patient. The process of having a family member diagnosed can be just as detrimental to the mental health of the surrounding …show more content…
As well as my families. Looking at the physical health aspects I have realized that I take a lot of responsibility for my health and do my best to maintain it in a positive way. Having a traumatic health issue, such as cancer, really makes you appreciate your body more and want to take care of it. Looking at things through the view of psychology is where I see the biggest changes. It is a scary experience. I know I have problems with my scars, and wanting to hide them. I wish that was different, but the scars I have acquired are reminders to me of what I have gone through. I suppose I have mixed emotions about my appearance since my surgery. Another positive a\effect that has shaped me is my gratefulness. I am appreciative to be here and even more knowing that my family is here and we are all healthy now. With the amount of medical issues found in my family, I consider us extremely lucky. Out of five children, my parents have had three children with some type of cancer diagnosis in their life. Some worse than the others, but in general it is not easy. It has greatly affected the lifestyle in which I have grown up. I have a better sense of financial literacy and I understand the need to be stable in that aspect. I have learned a lot of the struggles my family has had with money, mostly as a result of all of our treatments. Medical bills, especially ones not covered by insurance, stack up and effect you for
Many find a sense of control after they find out they are cancer free. Survivors become in tune with their health and what they can do to ensure its safety. You can see a common theme among patients after treatment. They begin eating healthy, getting exercise, and making healthy life decisions. Another aspect is that of communication. After overcoming cancer, many families are a lot closer, specifically the patient and their parents. This is usually due to the great lengths parents go, to ensure that the child will persevere. Polls conducted on survivors have shown that most believe they have become more mature, learned about themselves, and are more appreciative and grateful of things in their life. They feel as if their experiences have set them apart and their mindset on life has changed (Zebrack & Landier, 2011). These positive and negative effects are not solely found in the patient. The process of having a family member diagnosed can be just as detrimental to the mental health of the surrounding …show more content…
As well as my families. Looking at the physical health aspects I have realized that I take a lot of responsibility for my health and do my best to maintain it in a positive way. Having a traumatic health issue, such as cancer, really makes you appreciate your body more and want to take care of it. Looking at things through the view of psychology is where I see the biggest changes. It is a scary experience. I know I have problems with my scars, and wanting to hide them. I wish that was different, but the scars I have acquired are reminders to me of what I have gone through. I suppose I have mixed emotions about my appearance since my surgery. Another positive a\effect that has shaped me is my gratefulness. I am appreciative to be here and even more knowing that my family is here and we are all healthy now. With the amount of medical issues found in my family, I consider us extremely lucky. Out of five children, my parents have had three children with some type of cancer diagnosis in their life. Some worse than the others, but in general it is not easy. It has greatly affected the lifestyle in which I have grown up. I have a better sense of financial literacy and I understand the need to be stable in that aspect. I have learned a lot of the struggles my family has had with money, mostly as a result of all of our treatments. Medical bills, especially ones not covered by insurance, stack up and effect you for