At a recent breast cancer awareness session hosted by Mrs. Samina Alvi, psychologist Sarah Hatim shared powerful insights into the mental health challenges faced by breast cancer patients. She highlighted how therapy provides a safe space for patients to process emotions like fear, guilt, and loss of self-esteem—feelings that often arise as breast cancer changes their lives.
Sarah redefined health as more than just being disease-free, emphasizing the deep connection between physical and mental well-being. She spoke about post-traumatic growth and the struggles survivors face, from stigmatization to the fear of relapse. Sarah also called for targeted mental health screenings at diagnosis to identify issues like depression and suicidal thoughts early on.
Her words remind us that caring for mental health is just as important as treating the physical aspects of breast cancer.