Emotions and Low-Grade NETs

While it is heartening to realize that it is possible to live a long time with this disease, and to live well, it is also daunting to wrap your head around the fact that you will always have cancer and that it needs to be managed and controlled. It’s important to give your emotional and mental health needs the same level of attention that you give your disease. Don’t be hesitant or embarrassed about asking for help when things become too heavy.

"Patients need an outlet to be able to talk about what they’re dealing with. I would argue that everybody with a cancer diagnosis needs professional psychological assistance. I bring that up in conversation during the first one or two visits. ‘Cancer is stressful. What are you doing to help with the stress? If you don’t have a patient support group, here are some options. If you’re interested in meeting with counselors, here’s how to get in touch with them."
--Scott Paulson, MD

Since slow-growing cancers typically do not benefit from chemotherapy and are treated in other ways, NET patients do not have the visible signs of cancer treatment, like hair loss. They also may remain stable for a number of years—something that people don’t associate with cancer. While that is a welcome scenario (comparatively), it can be frustrating to patients when those around them, including those closest to them, don’t recognize or acknowledge the worry and discomfort of living with cancer. The familiar term “remission” really does not apply to stable, progression-free NET cancer, and sometimes this is difficult to explain.