HOPE

“Let your FAITH be bigger than your FEAR!” The influence of a cancer diagnosis on one's mental health and well-being can be significant. Mental health problems can make it more difficult to treat and recover from cancer, as well asto live a good life and survive. With the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, older adults'physical, cognitive, and emotional requirements grow, and they may experience loss in allthree areas. Social support is critical in assisting these patients, as well as reducing thenegative impacts of cancer diagnosis and treatment and improving cancer outcomes. I can identify with these remarks because a close family member of mine is diagnosed withstage - 1 cancer. Although it may appear comparable, the word cancer conjures up feelings of&fear, uncertainty, unpredictability, and control. Along with the patient, the entire familyis affected by the issue. The patient is restricted from ordinary little pleasures in life thatproduce moody shifts as they progress through the stages of treatment. They may be irritable regularly, and it may be difficult for us as a family to adjust to the sudden swings.Because these shifts are novel, adjusting to the new normal necessitates understanding andincreased self-awareness. We had no idea that during a pandemic, lockdowns would becomethe routine, with people wearing masks and socially isolating themselves from one another.The same is true with cancer; comprehending its effects and being mentally present with thepatient is crucial. The physical and mental demands of cancer and cancer treatment are mademore challenging for older persons because they have more pre-existing chronic conditions,reduced physical and cognitive performance, and decreased physiologic reserve. Short- andlong-term treatment toxicities are especially dangerous for older cancer patients. As a result,elderly cancer patients are more likely to require assistance with daily activities. Due to lifeevents such as retirement, older persons endure a loss in their social support structure as theyget older. As a result, they may feel alone and lonely, which might intensify their emotionalresponse to illness. When these biopsychosocial factors are combined, they might impede anolder adult's ability to cope with and control their disease, lowering the quality of life.When you have cancer, it's natural to have emotional difficulties. They might be majorproblems that necessitate professional assistance and mental support. These mental disorderscan have modest to severe symptoms. They have an impact on your relations and day-to-daylife when they are extreme. You may have grown up during a time when people did not openup about their depression caused by geriatric malignancy. You might be concerned abouttaking medications or engaging with a mental health practitioner to raise cancer awareness.However, looking after your mental health is just as vital as looking after your physical health. As a result, it is the family's social support and understanding that gives & hope& for cancer survival.Thus, I would like to conclude by saying. 

There is a“CAN” in CANCER because we can fight it!

Ms. Mini. V. K 

Assistant Professor of Commerce, Al Shifa College of Arts and Science, Kizhattoor, Perinthalmanna