5 ways in which breast cancer impact on the teenager
Teenagers fear that their parent is going to die or that the cancer is contagious and they will get it. Perhaps this is because the only exposure they have had with cancer is that people who have had cancer have died. [ Therefore cancer means death to them. “Because our society frequently hides the diagnosis of cancer, often a child's or teens only exposure to cancer is people who have died.” (Brazy 2) They also may have fear because they can sense that their parents are afraid. They may fear separation, especially when their mother is hospitalized. They may also fear that cancer is
contagious. It is extremely important as a parent to assure them that cancer is not contagious. Also, children will have the fear that they caused the cancer. “Magical thinking is normal in children. Magical thinking is the idea that they can make their thoughts and wishes come true. Last week they may have been mad at you and thought, “I'm mad at Mommy; I want to hurt her.” Now you have cancer and you hurt, more than they ever thought possible. They fear they caused the cancer and the impact of their wishes is now beyond their control. They feel very guilty and afraid.” Brazy 3)Anger is also one of the many feelings children will experience. Their reaction to feeling angry may be to act out, such as failing in school or become demanding and disobey their parents, especially the mother. Children may isolate themselves from everyone as a way of coping. "Children are acutely aware that the mother is sick and know when secrets are being kept from them. ]
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jher000|Points 7232|
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Asked 5/10/2012 12:12:17 PM
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