1. DIALOGUE WITH CERVIX CANCER PATIENTS IN GRIEF
MS. IVA ATHAVIA
Cancer Patients Aid Association
Mumbai,India.

2. “ A Man’s Dying Is More The Survivor’s Affair Than His Own.”
Introduction
Care for the family and bereavement follow-up is considered part of good
palliative practice.
“ A Man’s Dying Is More The Survivor’s Affair Than His Own.”
--- Thomas Mann.

3. Service With the Cervix Cancer Patients in Grief
It provides understanding and compassion for patients with advanced illnesses and their loved ones

4. The Goal of our Service With the Cervix Cancer Patients
To relieve suffering and improving the quality and quantity of life of the patients

5. CPAA’s Counselling Cell in a Govt. Hospital

6. MEANING OF GRIEF
GRIEF: Is the feeling of reaching out to the departed one.
MOURNING GRIEF: Rites and Rituals which follow death.
ANTICIPATORY GRIEF: Sense of loss before death.
ABNORMAL /PATHOLOGICAL GRIEF: Extended grief in different issues.

7. Counselling with a Cervix Cancer Patient in a Sanatorium

8. Risk Factors of Cervical Cancer Patients
Having sex at an early age
Multiple sexual partners
Sexual partners who have multiple partners
Women whose mothers took the drugs during pregnancy to prevent miscarriage
…………..2

9. Weakened immune system
Infections with genital herpes
Chronic chlamydia infections
Poor economic status (may not be able to afford regular Pap Smear)
Long-term use of birth control pills.

10. GROUP COUNSELLING IN A SANATORIUM

11. Psychosocial Issues Faced by Cervix Patients
Lack of awareness
Anxiety and sadness
Guilt and Regret for not going to the doctor earlier
Anger directed at doctors for mismanaging their treatment
Fear of the future for family specially children
Early marriages and Child birth …………2

12. Stress and Fear of social boycott
Sexual problem on post treatment
Differences with the spouse attitude
Extra marital affairs or remarriage of their husband
Suicidal attitude.

13. A Cervix Cancer Patient expressing her grief

14. MARITAL PROBLEMS WITH CERVIX CANCER PATIENTS (Grief questionnaire among 126 Cervix patients)
Domestic abuse - 54%
Abandonment - 37%
Material support only - 21%
Infidelity %
Suicidal %

15. Factors Influencing on Cervix Cancer Patients
Duration of cancer illness
Age of the deceased
Extent of physical suffering
Lack of support from the family
….….2

16. Depletion of resources
Guilt feelings
Feelings of social isolation.

18. A Cervix Cancer Patient Expressing her Torture

19. The Best Primary Support to CERVIX Cancer Patients in Grief
1) To Understand & Be Available during their grief
2) Offering friendship / A listening ear / Companionship.
3) COUNSELING: Identifying - Physical / Psychological / Social / Emotional needs.

20. Possible Reasons For Abnormal Grief.
Dependent relationships
A history of unresolved grief
Guilt feelings
Idealization of the deceased
……………2

21. Creating a shrine
Fear of the disease
Negative Personality Trait
Sudden and unexpected death.

22. Counselling at CPAA Office with a Cervix Cancer Patient

23. Stages Of Grief
1) Initial Reactions of grief:-

24. 2) Grief:-
Common Emotions & Experiences

25. 3) Despair:- 4) Adjustment:-
Loss Of Meaning In Life For Survivor Nil
4) Adjustment:-
Acceptance: The Road Ahead Total

26. Reactions To Cervix Patients at Home visit
-Enriching And Fulfilling Experience
Social Maintenance / Need Help
- 32 %

27. A Cervix palliative cancer patient with her family members

28. Conclusion 1) Local Situations different to those in the West
2) Financial / Social Help Needed
3) Not much Abnormal Grief
found

29. A ROLE PLAY God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way.
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy Undying Love.
……………………………………….. A
ROLE PLAY

30. Data has been collected from the following Hospitals
B.Y.L. NAIR Charitable Hospital
Mumbai, India.
&
Cama & Allbless Hospital

31. THANK YOU