I’m going to break the fourth wall for a second here and let you know that I am writing this article due to a conversation I had directly with Linda during our weekly team meeting. While many of our articles are written to support and help breast cancer patients and their loved ones, this post will be a bit more personal. That’s because what we talked about is making grounds as a “new” treatment intervention, when in reality, it should have always been common place/sense. When I mention “cancer with dignity” what is the first thought that comes to mind? Well, when I sat down to research and write this post, the main topic that I found was “giving your patients dignity at the end of their lives” and that was SO far off base from what I was really looking for.
During our discussion, Linda and I talked about some of her issues with the medical system as a woman who has not only survived, but thrived while going through cancer treatment. And one of her biggest points of contention was that she felt the medical system was too sterile and professional, pushing you in and out of treatment rooms, appointments, and more just to keep the system running. But what happens when we do that? Well, people lose sight of themselves and their connection to the world and their support systems. So let’s talk about how someone can go through cancer with dignity, and why they need EVERYONE on board to be able to do that.
Going Through Cancer Treatment With Dignity
Let’s start with how a simple conversation became a topic for this article. Linda mentioned this study that basically states that a cancer diagnosis and the subsequent treatments are associated with a prominent issue of loss of dignity in patients. Because of this, the study concluded with the fact that dignity-conserving care should respect patients’ human autonomy and foster coping strategies to control the physical and psychosocial factors that threaten their sense of dignity.
Linda mentioned a personal story that puts this into perspective: how she felt when going through chemotherapy, and how each patient was in the same room, but everyone was separated by partitions and didn’t chat with one another. She noted how the nurses and doctors are always clinical, making sure treatment is successful, but not much outside of that. Even the room itself feels cold, withdrawn, and stuffy at the same time.
Linda knew that the care team was focused on her treatment and helping her physically, but she felt a lack of connection. And the worst part? “I at least wanted to look out at the sunshine outside,” she said on our call.
As an outsider, who has never had breast cancer or had a loved one dealing with it, I was taken aback. Why don’t or can’t the patients talk to each other? If I were recently diagnosed and terrified out of my mind, talking to those already going through what I was going through would be a help more than a hinderance. And why are treatment rooms so cold and dreary? She was right. Why CAN’T there by sunshine and warmth in a room where people may need it most?
Preserving Dignity During Chemotherapy
So, I did some digging, and turns out, Linda wasn’t the only person with that idea. Many women and patients have pushed back on overly clinical settings, instead preferring open dialogue and the ability to treat both their physical needs and mental ones too. In fact, a study in Korea showed a positive correlation between preserving patients’ dignities and their self-esteem and quality of life. How can we keep that going, and support those who need it the most?
The Medical System
First, let’s start with the all encompassing medical system. I understand that we will never be able to completely overhaul the system. But there are many things that can be done to improve the lives of patients across the board, especially cancer patients.
Dignity in Care, a Canadian based company, states this as the “The ABCDs of Dignity in Care“. Simply put, they focus on teaching medical professionals how to support the dignity of people who seek help from the health care system. How? Through Attitude, Behavior, Compassion, and Dialogue. This framework helps bring humanity back into the medical field, aiding in better bedside manner and encouraging better participation from patients.
To me, this seems so simple to implement, and I believe all medical professionals should keep this framework in mind. But how can we get that to happen regularly, especially during treatment?
Have A Support System
If you’re currently going through treatment, it’s important to have a support system in place that can speak up for you when you can’t. This is especially true if you’ve been recently diagnosed and aren’t sure of exactly what you need and what’s most important for you during your care. It can be hard to sort through all of the medical jargon and back and forth, so have people there who can be extra eyes and ears for you.
Speak Up When Needed
Once you start to feel more confident and comfortable, it’s easier to speak up and advocate for yourself when you have questions or concerns. Of course, you may not always feel like it. And, there may be times where you need your support system. But overall, the longer you get into your journey and the more you start to understand about your diagnosis and treatment, the more you’ll be able to speak up for yourself when needed.
Don’t Be Afraid of Reminders
Along with this, don’t be afraid to speak out when your care team seems to be overly clinical. There were many patients that I read about who would ask “Can you dumb that down for me?” or “I’m not feeling very supported, I would like a different nurse/caretaker/etc,”. And that is your right! Remember, while these people are professionals who see these diagnoses day in and day out, they should understand that this is (for the most part) new to YOU. And that’s important. Don’t be afraid to remind them of that.
Also, if there is anything egregious that happens during your treatment, remember that you can report it. To report a nurse or doctor for misconduct in the US, you usually need to file a complaint directly with the appropriate state licensing board regarding unprofessional conduct or unsafe care. You can also report a hospital or office directly. You may not get along with all of your care team, and that’s okay. But what’s not okay is anybody not doing their job appropriately because of bias or lack of care.
Specific Therapy & Support
Along with holding your medical team to a high standard, you can also get specific therapy and support while going through treatment. There are many different types of therapy, but a new one popping up is “dignity therapy”. Essentially, dignity therapy is a brief and individualized for patients with illnesses to help them improve their quality of life and reduce psychological distress. Patient’s may also have the time to share their life story, accomplishments, and legacy to help them see how crucial their lives and treatment are.
Of course, there are other therapies you can try as well, and even support groups if you want to build your support system outside of your treatment team and loved ones. We’ve written many articles around this, but it’s important to try multiple options to find the best fit for you.
Self-Dignity
Maintaining a sense of self-dignity while going through cancer treatment is just as important as managing the physical side effects. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when your body starts changing and the world around you doesn’t always know how to respond. Simple daily interactions like walking down the street, going to the store, or even meeting someone for the first time can suddenly feel loaded with judgment or indifference. It’s important to recognize that these reactions are not a reflection of your worth. So let’s talk about how you can keep self-dignity while going through treatment, and how that can look day to day.
Keep Perspective
One way to protect your self-esteem is to view your treatment journey with some emotional distance. While compartmentalizing is not always a good thing (especially in heavily traumatic experiences), it can help to see your journey like you’re observing a foreign experience. You can remind yourself that the discomfort, changes, and anxiety are temporary. While treatment isn’t ever FUN, what you’re experiencing is completely natural. Everyone navigating cancer goes through their own version of these challenges, and you’re not alone in any of your feelings. But this mindset can help reduce unnecessary self-blame and allow you to focus on what you can control.
Empower Yourself Through Choice
Simple choices can make a big difference in maintaining your dignity. For example, it’s okay to get a newer wardrobe that fits where you are in your treatment journey. Dressing in a way that makes you feel comfortable and confident can support your emotional well-being. Or maybe you want to wear products like wigs, beanies, or clothing designed for people going through treatment. That’s okay too!
Focusing on the little things you CAN control during this time is essential in understanding that you do still have self-dignity and a right to make your own choices. Whether it’s what you wear, what you eat, if you take the day off, know that you can do these things because they are your choices to make.
Going Through Cancer With Dignity: Bottom Line
As you can see, there are many things that we just don’t have control over. The medical system, especially in its support of patients, needs an overhaul. Our government can sure do a better job when it comes to how it offers medical care to the people it’s supposed to protect. And, sometimes we have to move through life without having a bunch of people in our corner.
However, there are many ways that the system can improve, and I’ve listed some here. Plus, having advocates and loved ones in your corner can be the biggest difference between “just getting through it” and feeling taken care of overall. Treatment can be hard. Keeping your dignity doesn’t have to be. It’s okay to speak up, ask for help, and still live your life to the best of your ability, even if that means saying something people won’t like. At the end of the day, the most important part of getting through treatment is being able to have YOU at the end of it.
*The information provided on this website is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Reliance on any information provided by this website is solely at your own risk. The owners, contributors, authors, and publishers of this website are not liable for any losses, injuries, or damages arising from the use of the information on this website.*