Coping with breast cancer news

 

How does hearing about cancer in the news impact on us?

    In our discussions, we thought about how we cope with news stories and information on social media about breast cancer.

    Our varied responses fell somewhere on a continuum between two positions; first was 'avoidance', where we cope by completely avoiding any information relating to cancer. At the other extreme is what we might call 'immersion', where we cope by seeking out as much information as possible - leaflets from the hospital, BBC news, (Breast) Cancer research, charities and website upon website. But if we can achieve a middle ground, by gaining an understanding of our situation, we can empower ourselves to understand some of the complexities we face, for example, the 'scientific' basis for risk-reducing surgery. However, we fully understand that finding a balance is difficult and we risk being bombarded with information if we aren't careful. 

    So, delving deeper into our need for knowledge, it's generally in our nature, as human beings, to search for explanations. Answers and information can help to make sense of what has happened to us. It's not surprising, then, that when we try to find out possible ‘causes’ for breast cancer, we can become overwhelmed with information about risk factors; diet, exercise, alcohol, weight, stress, etc. and we can find ourselves drowning in an ocean of mixed messages, opinions and facts, released by different sites.  Whether we have primary or secondary breast cancer, we are particularly sensitive to (any) information relating to the causes and prevention of breast cancer as well as factors aiding and prolonging survival. The headline, "I had alcohol-related breast cancer. Here’s why I still drink", for instance, carries the implication there was something we did, or didn't do that led us to develop cancer. We ask ourselves 'could I have done anything to prevent it?'. It makes us feel responsible.

        We need our families and the wider community to understand how sensitive we are to information and the way that breast cancer is portrayed in the media, the way it creates unhelpful stereotypes, unrealistic expectations and misleading headlines. Very many of us are distressed by well-meaning but highly emotive adverts by the big charities - ironically the very organisations seeking to raise awareness and offer us support! Likewise, some of us felt ambushed by the prevalence of cancer across all platforms – maybe from the topical cancer storyline in our favourite soap opera or the triggering sub-story in a new film.

        Our psychological vulnerability increases our sensitivity and, given that our fear of recurrence and fear of progression of disease loom high, we are vigilant for any detail we can use to our advantage, to help us survive. Our fear can drive us to grab with both hands any new developments, whether in progress or substantiated - they mean a lot to us. Friends, family, and colleagues are keen to convey their information, and social media has a cunning way of portraying the best and the worst awareness campaigns in a relentless narrative.

   So, how can we work around these issues which are so important to our survival, yet that come with such mixed messages?

    Naz told us that science is not always exact, it comes with a margin of error. She explained that problems with replicability and the reliability of trials are not unknown. A lot of people have lost their faith in medicine, because its growth is slow and its effectiveness questionable - though Naz pointed out that 'proper' science grows slowly and steadily. Talking through it together can help, and sharing source study references, so we’re seeing information from the original published paper, not a watered-down news report full of errors. This way we can fully assess the quality of each study and its outcomes.

    In an ever more complex world, we must learn to navigate this vast sea of information, choices and options open to us, while trying not to get ourselves into an anxious state of mind where another layer of fear and apprehension follows. When we look at it from this perspective, it’s no wonder that some people shut down and don’t want to know. It can be far too much to cope with.