Waiting Room Suggestions for Cancer Patients and Their Loved Ones

If you have just received a new breast cancer diagnosis , you may feel intensely anxious while waiting in the oncology department before seeing your doctor for treatment. Not knowing what lies ahead and the new diagnosis may cause stress. We would like to offer suggestions that may help during this process.

Suggestions for Patients

• You may begin crying involuntarily. Do not feel embarrassed; know that everyone there has similar feelings and understands you.
• Oncology waiting rooms may not be suitable for young children. Bringing children to treatment or doctor appointments may increase stress in an already difficult situation. If possible, leave them with someone who can care for them when you come to hospital.
• If you feel unwell, extremely anxious or stressed, you can tell an oncology nurse that you would like to sit somewhere separate.
• If you need to eat and bring food with you, choose foods without strong smells. Other patients receiving chemotherapy may struggle to tolerate food odors.
• If someone sitting beside you tries to discuss breast cancer or another uncomfortable subject and you do not want to talk, say that you feel unwell and need quiet rest.
• Remember that other patients may also be emotionally struggling and at different stages during treatment. They may express anger or emotions aloud. Listening to music through headphones may help you stay calm.

Suggestions for Companions

• You can get to know other patients by chatting in the oncology waiting room or chemotherapy area. Although meeting people helps, avoid comparisons. Remember that no two people diagnosed with breast cancer are exactly alike.
• Try to focus on helping your loved one feel comfortable rather than on how to pass your own time.
• In waiting and treatment areas, avoid products that may trigger one of the most common chemotherapy side effects, nausea , such as perfume, strongly scented soap, hairspray and body lotion.
• Going straight to patients after smoking, with smoke lingering on your clothes, or using electronic cigarettes can also cause considerable discomfort. Situations triggering side effects should be avoided.
• Without pressuring patients, encourage socializing and conversation where possible, making use of long, empty waiting periods through artistic activities or playing games together.

During cancer treatment, when the importance of expressing feelings and positive psychology is often emphasized, we believe these suggestions may help patients and their loved ones.