Coping Up With Mesothelioma

Image by Litandmore via FlickrPeople with a mesothelioma diagnosis are "truly scared," says Alan D. Valentine, MD, associate psychiatrist and associate professor of medicine (psychiatry) at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

There are several reasons for this. The late diagnosis and often poor prognosis are certainly factors, says Dr. Valentine. He also notes that the many advertisements that you see on television — from law firms promoting lawsuits and settlements — also give a certain graveness to the disease.

In addition, mesothelioma doesn't get the publicity — or public support — that more common cancers like breast cancer do.

Therapy and antidepressants are an option for helping to manage emotions like fear, anxiety, and depression that are common after a cancer diagnosis, says Valentine. While he says that patients should be screened to see if those therapies would offer benefit, they shouldn't automatically be prescribed.
Be honest and realistic about what you're faced with, recommends Valentine. Accept your fear, anger, and other feelings — don't feel like you have to be strong, stoic, and always positive. "Sometimes, that's asking a lot," he says.

Instead, concentrate on what needs to happen, says Valentine, rather than what could happen. Focus on business obligations, taking medications, and moving forward with treatment, instead of wondering if the worst will happen.
Valentine also recommends these mechanisms to cope with fear from a cancer diagnosis and to stay calm:

• Practicing guided imagery, in which you lead your thoughts to soothing images
• Trying self-hypnosis
• Joining a support group
• Getting regular, light exercise — even walking or exercising in a chair

Anything you can do to distract yourself and allow yourself to refocus on the task at hand rather than getting caught up in fear, anxiety, and "what ifs," Valentine says, will help you manage your fear.