A cancer diagnosis – what now?
A diagnosis of cancer, or a diagnosis of a recurrence or the formation of cancerous growths (metastases), usually comes as a shock to those affected and their families. It brings about changes to daily routines and lifestyle, and often involves limitations caused by the disease or its treatment.
Around a third of all cancer patients experience significant psychological distress as a result of the illness. Those affected, and their loved ones, often describe feelings of being overwhelmed and powerless. This is where psycho-oncology comes in, helping patients to find their own individual way of coping with the illness.
Our services
Our psycho-oncology team is here for all cancer patients at Klinikum Bremerhaven-Reinkenheide, as well as for their family members and loved ones. We support you in coping with your cancer and all the fears and worries that come with it – we will not leave you on your own!
We offer the following support services, which are available free of charge at every stage of your illness:
- Provision of information
- Support in actively shaping your treatment
- Opportunity to discuss and come to terms with mental and physical stress
- Development of strategies for managing anxiety and stress
- Learning relaxation and visualisation techniques
- Help with emotional stabilisation
- Strengthening your own coping resources
- Prevention/treatment of psychosocial complications
- Connections to further psychological and social support services in Bremerhaven and the surrounding area (e.g. cancer counselling centres, self-help groups)
Our work draws on knowledge from the fields of medicine, education, psychology, sociology, ethics and spirituality. It is important to us to view every patient as a whole person, to accept them with their feelings and capabilities, and to empower them.
Children and grandchildren, as part of the family system, have their own ways of coming to terms with changes within the family. On request, we offer counselling and support for children and grandchildren that is tailored to their age and needs.
We warmly invite you to arrange a consultation with us.
Heike Weiss
Educator, relaxation therapist
Responsibilities: Patients with cancers other than bowel, skin, breast or gynaecological cancers, as well as their relatives; counselling services for children and grandchildren of parents or grandparents with cancer
Contact: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays,
Telephone 0471 299-2620