The document discusses the various psychosocial aspects of coping with cancer, emphasizing the need for effective coping strategies to manage stressors such as pain, social isolation, and fear of recurrence. It outlines different coping styles, characteristics of effective cancer copers, and highlights nursing interventions aimed at promoting positive coping mechanisms. The goal is to assist patients in developing adaptive strategies and maintaining morale throughout their cancer experience.

2. PSYCHOSOCIAL
ASPECTS
Presented by
Mr.kalyankumar Msc (N)

3. INTRODUCTION
 A variety of coping skills are required to adjust to and
live successfully with cancer. Cancer patients have to
cope with a variety of stressors, including loss of
function in body system, pain, nausea and vomiting,
anorexia, fatigue, social isolation, loss of self-esteem,
fear of death and dying, adjusting to hospital
environment, sexual problems, cognitive impairment
and fear of recurrence of fever.

4. DEFINITION
 Coping is the dynamic process by which a client
responds to a problem to bring about relief or
equilibrium. Coping strategies are unconscious specific
skills that are consciously selected by a person to help
manage the effects of stress.

5. COPING STYLES
 Rational inquiry- Seek more information; Get guidance
 Mutuality- Share concern and talk to other people
 Affect reversal- Laugh it off; make light of the situation .

6.  Displacement - Keep busy; do other things for distraction
 Confrontation- Take firm action; confront the problem
 Redefinition- Focus on positive aspects of situation
 Passive acceptance- Submit to the inevitable; resign yourself
 Suppression- Try to forget; put it out of mind .

7.  Impulsivity- Do something reckless or impractical
 Disengagement- Withdraw into isolation; get away
 Projection- Blame someone or something else
 Cooperative compliance- Seek direction; do what you are told

8.  Tension reduction- Find an escape with drink, drugs, danger
 Consideration of alternatives – consider or negotiate a
feasible alternative .

9. CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD CANCER
COPERS
 Confront reality
 Consider alternatives
 Avoid excessive denial
 Communicate openly with others.

10.  Self-reliant but accept help when offered
 Make use of available resources
 Flexible
 Realistically hopeful

11.  Try to maintain morale and self esteem
 Focus on problem- Solving when appropriate

12. NURSING INTERVENTIONS
 Nursing interventions should be used to promote more
effective coping strategies in dealing with the cancer
experience.
 Encouraging the patient to become at the challenges of
disease and treatment more positively.
 Assisting the patient to look at the challenges of
disease and treatment more positively.
 Helping the patient develop new coping strategies
throughout the course of illness.
 Encourage open expression of feelings and involve in
decision regarding daily activities.

13.  Give information needed at the time and answer
questions. Share medical information .
 Encourage to ask for needed support and encourage to
use own support network.
 Recognize possible response to fear and not
personalize.