Utilizing Therapeutic Writing As a Breast Cancer Patient
Written by Kendall Preston.
She is an undergraduate student at UNCW, and is a Public Health intern at Going Beyond the Pink.
**Disclaimer: This post contains links to affiliate products.
A cancer diagnosis brings a range of emotions that can be hard to express. Writing can be one of the most beneficial ways to find comfort through a tough time. Many studies explore the benefits of therapeutic writing, especially in individuals with cancer. They’ve found writing therapy can actually reduce symptoms associated with cancer such as pain and distress. A study published by The Journal of Clinical Oncology noted individuals who wrote about their emotional experiences for 15 minutes per day saw decreases in their blood pressure. Their lung and liver functions improved too.
According to the patient resource website, there are many ways to express your feelings through writing therapy; the top four are tracking, reflecting, sharing and expressing.
Find what works for you
First of all, there are SO MANY different ways to write your feelings out.
Writing can be expressed in
Letters to someone to let your emotions out
Postcards
Cards
Emails
Writing on a piece of paper might work for you, but journaling on a computer might feel more comfortable for you. There are even cancer-specific blogs you can write guest posts for! Finding which style benefits you the most is important, try them all out and see which feels right for you. Maybe you prefer a journal with prompts to get you started. If so, this gratitude journal will help get your mind thinking and your pen moving. Maybe consider a journal with inspiring quotes. This simple black and pink journal is paperback and easy to pack if you want to journal and travel. This breast cancer-themed journal has an amazing quote on it. Or grab this one as a gift for someone you love who’s experiencing breast cancer.
Example reflecting questions
Knowing where to start can be frustrating or cause writer’s block, so some good examples to get you started are:
“What can I do to reduce my risk and my family’s risk of getting cancer in the future?”
“What did I do/ what am I going to do today that is helping me on my journey”
“What were my emotions today and how did I react to them.”
Therapeutic writing and journaling don't have to be a public activity. You can write just for yourself, without the worry of others’ judgment. Don’t worry about grammar or how someone might interpret what you write. Just being honest and in the moment will really help you release the weight on your shoulders.
Make it a routine
Making writing part of routine is helpful. Finding a time that works best for you will help you get into a routine. This will also help you track your progress and monitor your feelings and experiences. Mornings or nights might work for different people, it really doesn’t matter when you do it. Making it a consistent activity will help you make the most progress.
Reflecting about your diagnosis can be really hard, and writing will help a lot with getting your feelings out. Take a moment today to reflect on your experiences and write down what you are thinking and feeling. Whether or not you choose to share it, you will still have noticeable benefits from this therapeutic activity.