“Having a cancer diagnosis, for many people, is the first time they’ve had any real medical illness, and it’s earth-shattering,” said Dr. Ferguson, later continuing, “Many people have changes in their body, changes in their stamina, feeling body betrayal, all these things that can happen after a cancer diagnosis.”
Becoming knowledgeable in everything you’re going through can also be a great help, but in some cases, knowing certain aspects of endometrial cancer can be helpful in some ways but detrimental in others. For example, statistics about mortality rates can bring about a lot of negative feelings if they aren’t as positive as one hopes.
Dr. Ferguson understands the importance of transparency with patients but always reiterates that just because a statistic is available doesn’t mean it will apply to them.
Dealing with a cancer diagnosis is not easy, regardless of where a person falls in the statistical sense, so it’s vital to be prepared for the emotional turmoil that can occur. However, Dr. Ferguson notes, “People are much more resilient than we think.”
The resources available in the mental health and cancer space can drastically reduce a person’s negative feelings toward their experience, helping them to cope better with the cancer diagnosis, as well as everything it entails.