Cancer and guilt

A cancer diagnosis puts an immense psychological strain on the afflicted individual and their loved ones. One of the main sources of distress is often guilt, which can affect patients, survivors, and caregivers alike.

Guilt in cancer patients
People diagnosed with cancer will often experience feelings of regret. For instance, it’s very common for people to blame themselves for their cancer, especially if their lifestyle choices increased their risk of developing it. It’s also common for them to perceive themselves as a burden, or as having let their friends and family members down if the treatment didn’t work as expected.

Guilt in cancer survivors
Survivor’s guilt occurs when a cancer survivor reflects on the fact that they survived when others didn’t. It can put tremendous pressure on them to try and make the most of their second chance, which can paradoxically cause them more stress. It also makes the fear of recurrence much worse.

Guilt in caregivers, friends and family members
A loved one’s cancer diagnosis will obviously make the people around them worry. It can also make them feel guilty for being healthy or for not being able to provide more support. Being angry at their loved ones for making choices that increased their risk of cancer is another reason people may experience guilt.

Coping with guilt
The first thing to do is to realize that these feelings are normal and that talking about them can help affected individuals cope with them better. In addition, it’s important for patients and people close to them to understand that there’s nothing to gain by focusing on past mistakes.

Keep in mind that hospitals offer access to social workers as part of their treatment plan for cancer. These professionals can help patients, survivors and their loved ones cope with the psychological impacts of cancer.