After being diagnosed with an incurable disease such as mesothelioma cancer, it can be difficult to be hopeful. It's important to understand that with all the recent advancements in mesothelioma treatment, it is realistically hopeful to look forward to surviving longer and with a better quality of life.

1. Overcoming Hopelessness
After a Mesothelioma
Diagnosis
Today’s Moderator:
Dana Nolan, MS LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor

2. What Is Hopelessness?
It is a lack of expectation for a positive
outcome in the future or a state of despair.
Dimensions of hopelessness:
Affective - lack of hope
Motivational - giving up
Cognitive - lack of future expectations
As a construct, hope has been studied
frequently in psycho-oncology research.
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3. Why Would Mesothelioma
Sufferers Feel Hopeless at Times?
Cancer has traditionally brought fear at the
mere mention of it because several decades
ago it was rare to survive any cancer diagnosis.
Despite major advances in the diagnosis and
treatment of mesothelioma, it is still
considered an incurable disease.
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4. Hope vs. Denial
Being hopeful in a situation that seems
grave is not the same as being in denial.
True “hope” is realistic. The patient
understands that they have mesothelioma, but
they are still looking for something positive in
the future (not necessarily a cure.)
Someone in denial does not acknowledge that
they have a serious disease, nor do they seek
treatment for it.
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5. Possible Effects of Chronic Hopelessness
Thinking hopeless thoughts about our
mesothelioma can impact our health
behaviors and decision-making.
Decline treatment offered by our medical team.
Stop healthy behaviors (eating healthy,
exercising etc.)
Socially isolate from family and friends.
Stop looking for clinical trials.
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6. Is Hopefulness Possible
While Battling an Incurable Disease?
YES!
With all the recent advances in detection
and treatment for mesothelioma, it is
realistically hopeful to look forward to
surviving longer and with a better quality
of life. Today, mesothelioma is considered
incurable. We don’t know about tomorrow.
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7. Coping with Hopelessness
Instead of contemplating on what you can’t do
today or fear that you won’t in the future, make
a list of what you can do today.
Read stories of other mesothelioma patients
who are doing well in their treatment.
Attend support groups to engage with others
going through the same experience.
(877) 626-5916

8. Coping with Hopelessness (cont.)
Plan your days just like you always have.
Expect to feel good, but allow flexibility in your
plans in case you do have a bad day.
Don’t limit your life or your plans because
you have mesothelioma.
Acknowledge that you may not be able to
engage in activities exactly like you used to, but
brainstorm ways to modify and adapt your
plans to accommodate your abilities.
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9. Coping with Hopelessness (cont.)
Don’t ruminate on the “what ifs.”
If you catch yourself spending too much time
worrying about what could happen in the
future, then you are not being present right
now.
Remind yourself that no one ― not even your
physician ― has a crystal ball to predict your
future.
(877) 626-5916

10. References
Van Laarhoven, H.W., Schilderman, J.,
Bleijenberg, G., Donders, R., Vissers, K.C.,
Verhagen, C.A., Prins, J.B. (2011) Coping, Quality
of Life, Depression, and Hopelessness in Cancer
Patients in a Curative and Palliative, End-of-Life
Care Setting. Cancer Nursing, 34(4):302-14.
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11. Contact Information
1-877-626-5916
(877) 626-5916
Facebook.com/themesocenter
@TheMesoCenter