Research Paper on:
Literature Review on a Cancer Patient's Emotional Needs

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
diagnoses, the concept can be earth shattering. While cancer no longer necessarily is a death sentence, and even terminal patients can live for some time after diagnosis in relatively good  health, the idea that there is a time limit on life is difficult to embrace. In addition to dealing with issues of mortality, there is a stigma attached to cancer  as well. And then, there is the excruciating pain that many are told is equated with the debilitating disease. Obviously, while cancer patients need care in the form of medical  treatment, they also need help for the emotional suffering that all too often accompanies a cancer diagnosis. In fact, when people are diagnosed with cancer, they are usually in shock,  and are frightened and angry (Gerson, 2000). In the literature on cancer and emotions, Friedrich (1999) provides an example of a fictitious work that presents a study of a woman  diagnosed with end stage ovarian cancer. In the play noted, Wit is the central character who demonstrates primary issues faced by patients with a malignancy (1999). Topics which are raised  by the play are how patients handle cancer emotionally and how they are treated by the medical profession in managing care (1999). It seems that within the context of the  work, there is little compassion shown for the protagonist with the exception of one oncology nurse (1999). While the work is one of fiction, it is based on fact, and  the article notes that the play has been rather enlightening for audiences. It does help to know that one cannot always expect compassion and help in dealing with the emotions  of such a diagnosis. Many nurses are matter of fact--and perhaps they are jaded--but they do not consider that many patents may be in shock or denial, and ignoring emotional