RX for social death: the cancer patient as counselor.

ABSTRACT

Cancer patients frequently encounter psychological problems distinct from those with other serious illnesses. Cancer's deadly nature and its drastic treatment often alienate patients from relatives and caregivers. The CanCervive program trained cancer patients to counsel other patients. They functioned as role models and provided opportunities for catharsis. Yet their own unresolved conflicts often led them to overidentify with patients. Volunteers lacked insight into their own feelings of stress at seeing dying patients and their own guilt over their relatively advantaged medical status. Despite this, they helped patients cope with their insecurities and dependency needs, and assisted with professional education.