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Anger for friend's diagnosis?

Page last modified on: October 16, 2008

Question from colleen: How do I deal with the anger that I am not the one with the diagnosis?: Answers —Marc Silver, author: It's not helpful to feel anger, it doesn't help the person. You just have to put those feelings aside and reach out to them.; Rosalind Kleban, L.C.S.W.: I think the issue here is that patients at the time of diagnosis and during treatment are bombarded with very intense and difficult feelings. This may be very difficult on the caregiver. I think it's a difficult task facing the caregiver to try to be patient and understanding during this difficult time, to demonstrate to the patient that you're there to be supportive and hope that in time as treatment ends that the patient will get greater clarity. Anger is not a helpful feeling, but it's the kind of thing that needs to be worked out with perhaps a professional healthcare provider.

On Wednesday, February 21, 2007, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Partners, Loved Ones, Caregivers: Taking Care of You. Author Marc Silver and moderator Rosalind Kleban, L.C.S.W. answered your questions about how you can take care of your loved one and yourself during and after breast cancer 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

Marc Silver is the author of Breast Cancer Husband: How to Help Your Wife (And Yourself) Through Diagnosis, Treatment, and Beyond.

Rosalind Kleban, L.C.S.W. is administrative supervisor for psychosocial programs at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center's Lauder Breast Center in New York City, where she leads weekly support groups for women with early and advanced breast cancer.