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Selfish to deal with disease alone?

Page last modified on: August 18, 2008

Question from Rhonda B: I want to deal with this sickness by myself first, I haven't told anyone, is that selfish?: Answers —David Spiegel, Ph.D.: Everybody has to pace it their own way. You may be an exceptionally private person, but the people who love and care about you have their own feelings to deal with too, and you should recognize that you may be making it harder for them by not discussing it.; Marisa Weiss, M.D., president and founder: The people who are about you need to be able to feel that they can help you in some significant way, and excluding them from this important and meaningful opportunity can be very hurtful, and they may feel rejected. So it's important to try to find a balance between feeling in control of your own situation and also letting other people in who are in your inner circle.

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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Selfish to deal with disease alone?

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