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Psychological Trauma of Cancer

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Submitted By tenaye
Words 1523
Pages 7
Coping with the Psychological Trauma of Cancer
LaHoya Blount
COM/172
November 15, 2011
Cassandra Baker

Abstract
After reading this research paper, it is understood how both men and women cope with the diagnosis of cancer as well as the psychological trauma they experience. Both positive and negative coping styles that patients experience are explained in this paper. Information is given that compares and contrast upon gender concerning patients’ posttraumatic stress disorder and the psychological trauma they face. Sources and coping styles are included that may become helpful in handling the emotional and physical trauma patients may have.

Psychological Effects of Cancer

Many Americans are diagnosed with various forms of cancer every day. Once diagnosed with cancer the patient go through some form of psychological trauma. Psychological trauma also known as post-traumatic stress disorder is associated with a specific medical illness in this paper it is cancer. Depending on the gender of the patient, the news of having been diagnosed with cancer takes each patient through some difficulties. Although all patients have to deal with being diagnosed with cancer, there are differences and similarities in each gender when dealing with the psychological trauma of cancer (Hagger & Orbell, 2006; Hampton, 2000). Men and women face emotional and physical trauma during treatment of cancer. Both men and women go through depression and anxiety. Men deal with the diagnosis of cancer more positively than women. Cancer attacks both men and women of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. Patients who are diagnosed with cancer handles the psychological trauma differently depending upon gender. Being diagnosed with cancer the posttraumatic stress disorder is always being taken into consideration. “The health care community is beginning to recognize the inadequacies of

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