Fear of RecurrenceFear of Recurrence How to Conquer It How to Conquer It

Brenda Casey MSWSocial Worker

Arizona Cancer Center (520) 694-0347

Today’s discussion will focus onToday’s discussion will focus on

what we mean by fear of recurrencewhat we mean by fear of recurrence its influencesits influences its consequencesits consequences what we can do about itwhat we can do about it

What does the fear of recurrence What does the fear of recurrence mean?mean?

Afraid the cancer will come backAfraid the cancer will come back Doubt (self & others)Doubt (self & others) Fear is the most common emotionFear is the most common emotion It is a universal occurrenceIt is a universal occurrence Fear can be experienced very differentlyFear can be experienced very differently

What influences this fear?What influences this fear?

PrognosisPrognosis PersonalityPersonality TemperamentTemperament Life ExperiencesLife Experiences Belief systemBelief system Coping styleCoping style

What are the consequences?What are the consequences?

Psychological paralysisPsychological paralysis Lead to poor decisionsLead to poor decisions Cause one to function rigidlyCause one to function rigidly Lead to suffering physical & emotional Lead to suffering physical & emotional

illnessillness Losses for the person as well as family and Losses for the person as well as family and

friendsfriends

Strategies in Managing FearStrategies in Managing Fear

Know the signs & anticipate themKnow the signs & anticipate them Consider your belief systemConsider your belief system Develop a diverse support systemDevelop a diverse support system Practice coping skills and learn new onesPractice coping skills and learn new ones Be open-minded and flexibleBe open-minded and flexible Explore and experiment with your “new normal”Explore and experiment with your “new normal” CommunicationCommunication Stress managementStress management

Know your TriggersKnow your Triggers

Anniversary datesAnniversary dates Doctor appointmentsDoctor appointments Anything reminiscent of the cancer Anything reminiscent of the cancer

experienceexperience Every little ache and painEvery little ache and pain Crisis with family and friendsCrisis with family and friends

Dealing with EmotionsDealing with Emotions

Identify and be honest about feelingsIdentify and be honest about feelings Feelings are not wrong or rightFeelings are not wrong or right Know your own approach and be willing to Know your own approach and be willing to

learn new ways learn new ways

Asking for HelpAsking for Help

Think about what you needThink about what you need Be specificBe specific Sometimes there is a reversal of rolesSometimes there is a reversal of roles Be willing to say what’s “not” helpfulBe willing to say what’s “not” helpful

Re-EvaluationRe-Evaluation

Questions and new insightsQuestions and new insights Perspectives can changePerspectives can change The Future?The Future? My Goals?My Goals? Understanding what happenedUnderstanding what happened

BoundariesBoundaries

Know your limitsKnow your limits Set your limitsSet your limits May invite criticismMay invite criticism No, means No!No, means No!

CommunicationCommunication

Identify those with whom you can talk Identify those with whom you can talk openlyopenly

Talking to your medical team, family and Talking to your medical team, family and friendsfriends

Notice where it feels difficult, there’s Notice where it feels difficult, there’s usually a good reasonusually a good reason

Confidence in Your Medical Confidence in Your Medical TeamTeam

Know your team membersKnow your team members Learn how to utilize themLearn how to utilize them Bring a buddyBring a buddy Tape your appointmentTape your appointment

Get the FactsGet the Facts

Show upShow up Understand your diagnosis and prognosis.Understand your diagnosis and prognosis. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Include your emotions and trust the Include your emotions and trust the

sciencescience

The Element of DistractionThe Element of Distraction

Activities: volunteering, hobbies, Activities: volunteering, hobbies, gardening, movies, photographygardening, movies, photography

Keeping busyKeeping busy DiversionsDiversions

Reducing StressReducing Stress

HumorHumor MeditationMeditation GratitudeGratitude Staying Positive Staying Positive PrayerPrayer

Taking Care of Your BodyTaking Care of Your Body

DietDiet ExerciseExercise SleepSleep Have a planHave a plan Complimentary medicineComplimentary medicine

Taking Care of your MindTaking Care of your Mind

Temptation is to worryTemptation is to worry When to control and when to let goWhen to control and when to let go EmpowermentEmpowerment Take ChargeTake Charge Know your strengths & weaknesses Know your strengths & weaknesses

(knowing your weaknesses is a strength)(knowing your weaknesses is a strength)

Getting back to “New Normal”Getting back to “New Normal”

TransformationTransformation AdjustmentAdjustment PerspectivePerspective FutureFuture SurveillanceSurveillance

ResourcesResources

Family & FriendsFamily & Friends Support GroupsSupport Groups Conferences, Seminars, WorkshopsConferences, Seminars, Workshops InternetInternet Continuing EducationContinuing Education Individual Counseling/Professional HelpIndividual Counseling/Professional Help

Serenity PrayerSerenity Prayer

““God grant me the courage the change God grant me the courage the change the things I can, the serenity to accept the the things I can, the serenity to accept the things I cannot change and the wisdom to things I cannot change and the wisdom to know the difference.” Reinhold Niebuhr know the difference.” Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971) (1892-1971)

SummarySummary

Fear is natural and a universal reactionFear is natural and a universal reaction Get the factsGet the facts Know yourselfKnow yourself Keeping an open mind and experimenting Keeping an open mind and experimenting

are essential in effective copingare essential in effective coping Fear may not go away but will fade over Fear may not go away but will fade over

timetime It is conquerableIt is conquerable