Coping with feelings of guilt
If you have cancer, or if someone you love has cancer, you may be feeling guilty, for one of the following reasons:1
- You may feel guilty because you did not spot the symptoms of cancer or go to the doctor sooner
- You may feel in some way that you brought the disease on yourself through lifestyle choices that you made
- You may feel that you are a burden on the hospital staff, society, or your friends and family
- You may feel guilty because you have survived when others have not; this is known as “survivor guilt”
Your family and friends may also experience guilt because they are healthy while their loved-one is unwell.1
Do not blame yourself. You are not responsible for getting cancer:
- Cancers start because of a mistake that occurs when cells divide2
- There is not just one single cause, such as something you have done2
- Chance plays a large part in the development of a cancer, whoever the patient is2
It is important to try to let go of feelings of guilt, as it can lead to depression and reduce your general well-being; here are some suggestions for how to let go:1
- Talk about your feelings with someone you trust, such as a counsellor or social worker
- Focus on the positive things in your life
- Find ways to express your emotions, in music or art or by writing about how you feel
- Attend a support group