The emotional impact of cancer on patients and their families

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Abstract
The terminally ill cancer patient passes through 4 phases; numbness or denial, pining or struggle, depression or giving up and acceptance. These phases are not clear-cut and the patient may pass backwards and forwards between them. He may get stuck at any phase or the disease may progress so rapidly that he dies before the sequence is completed. The family passes through similar phases but these are usually postponed until after the patient''s death. The family will bitterly seek someone to blame and may become apathetic and withdrawn. The total bereavement process usually takes years and even then it is possible for events to bring back memories and initiate another episode of pining. A patient''s troubles end with his death but the family''s may just be beginning. A little support given to the family during the first few weeks of bereavement can go a long way.

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