Living a life with cancer is a journey into the world of cancer.
The cancer world is full of uncertainties, such as unknown specific causes; always with the possibility of recurrences after treatment; and not knowing the mode of exit, to name a few.
The journey or voyage is rough, with unquantifiable physical pains and psychological distresses.
Psychological distresses are in the long run more difficult to manage than physical pains.
THERE IS A NEED TO REINFORCE THE MANAGEMENT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESSES IN CANCER PATIENTS IN THEIR CANCER JOURNEY.
ROJoson Classification of Cancer Journey
1. PHASE OF CANCER DIAGNOSIS.
2. PHASE OF CANCER TREATMENT.
3. PHASE AFTER CANCER TREATMENT (IN REMISSION BELOW 10 YEARS FROM TREATMENT).
4. PHASE DURING SURVIVORSHIP (IN REMISSION 10 YEARS OR MORE FROM TREATMENT).
5. PHASE OF CANCER RECURRENCE.
6. PHASE DURING CURTAIN CALL (NEAR THE END OF LIFE).
Each cancer patient has his/her own unique set of psychological distresses.
Psychological distress is a general term used to describe unpleasant feelings or emotions that impact a person’s level of functioning. In other words, it is psychological discomfort that interferes with the person’s activities of daily living. It may be mild, moderate or severe to point of being categorized as mental illness. The feelings may be sadness, anxiety and depression.
No two people experience one event the exact same way. Psychological distress is a subjective experience. That is, the severity of psychological distress is dependent upon the situation and how a person perceives it. One can think of psychological distress as a continuum with 'mental health' and 'mental illness' at opposing ends. As one continues to experience different things at different times, one can travel back and forth on the continuum at different times throughout one’s life.
There are so many variety of psychological distresses. They usually occur in combination, not one.
ROJoson's Simplification of Classification of Psychological Distresses During Cancer Journey (used in his survey)
FEAR
SADNESS
PERSONAL APPREHENSIONS
PSYCHOSOCIAL APPREHENSIONS
FEAR - fear in general; fear of death
SADNESS - sadness in general; anxiety; depression
APPREHENSIONS: PERSONAL APPREHENSIONS; PSYCHOSOCIAL APPREHENSIONS
"APPREHENSIONS" is operationally defined as anticipation of something bad, something unpleasant, some difficulty or trouble. It will include "APPREHENSIONS" on existentialism (such as questioning religious beliefs or searching on the meaning of life and death) which are commonly encountered in cancer patients.
APPREHENSIONS will be categorized into PERSONAL APPREHENSIONS (meaning exclusively confined to the cancer patient himself or herself) and PSYCHOSOCIAL APPREHENSIONS (meaning influenced or affected by social factors like family, place of work, and community).
Each patient should be wary of the types of psychological distresses he / she is undergoing as this is the first step in putting up the coping tactics.
The caregiver and the physician should be able to identify the psychological distresses a cancer patient is having to be able to help in the management - help them cope with the distresses (psychological and psychosocial support).
TO BE CONTINUED.
COPING TACTICS
ROJ@20nov27