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Cancer-free guilty feelings normal?

Page last modified on: August 18, 2008
Question from Rogue: I feel guilty that I am cancer-free when my friends are sick. Is that normal?
Answer —David Spiegel, Ph.D.: It's not uncommon to nurture some sense of guilt. Usually the other side of that coin is there is a part of you that is relieved that you are cancer-free and they are not. That is normal too. People will have that sense and it is part of being human. You wouldn't wish it on them but you are lucky. I would not be preoccupied with it, but for whatever reason you are lucky and there are times where you are aware of that.

On Wednesday, October 18, 2000, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Feelings about Breast Cancer. David Spiegel, Ph.D. and moderator Marisa Weiss, M.D. answered your questions about the emotional effects of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

David Spiegel, Ph.D.David Spiegel, Ph.D. is professor and associate chairman of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine.

Marisa Weiss, M.D. is a radiation oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the founder, president, and guiding force behind Breastcancer.org.

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