Hearing a cancer diagnosis is a life-altering and emotional time. A million thoughts race through your mind about treatments, life, death, your family, your friends, your job, and more. Although nothing can completely eliminate the stress of dealing with a cancer diagnosis and treatment, the tips given in this article will help to ease the process.
A lot of people do not know new things about cancer. There are those who may think that cancer is something they can “catch”, or that a cancer diagnosis prevents you from participating in normal activities. Try your best not to get angry, and strive to be honest and open.
Always have a voice for yourself and don’t be afraid to use it when you need to be heard. Some individuals still have outdated views on cancer and will assume that the disease renders you useless and will question your ability to carry out even simple tasks, or they may fear that you could infect them. Put together a few responses to some common questions and be ready to address people’s concerns. It can help with the perception that others have of you and your condition during your treatment plan.
If someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer, take the time to listen to them. It may be a difficult thing to do at times, but your friend or family member needs to have the opportunity to express their feelings. Make sure not to give your personal opinions or interrupt; this time is for them.
Smoking can cause emphysema and lung cancer, as well as colon cancer. Inhaling tobacco smoke moves carcinogens into your colon, while the tobacco can even help colon polyps grow larger. These are a few of the many reasons you need to quit smoking.
One of the many causes of cancer are sugar filled drinks, so it’s best to cut sodas, juices, and other such drinks out of your life. These drinks are poor nutrition that can not only lead to weight gain, but can interfere with the body’s ability to prevent the growth of cancer in the body.
To avoid feelings of dissatisfaction, intentionally form the expectation that not all of your expectations will in actuality be met. Have appreciation for all support you get.
Make sure you seal any play sets or decks purchased before 2005. These items were constructed with a wood that had arsenic pesticide on it. If you put a seal on them you can prevent exposure of children to cancer-causing chemicals.
Consider joining a support group for people with cancer. Regardless of how long you’ve lived with your diagnosis, you can get extra support and help. It is helpful to speak with other cancer patients to compare your physical and mental difficulties. Many groups encourage family members to attend as well.
If you have a family member that has cancer, you should not treat them any differently. Cancer patients may be depressed, anxious or angry; they need help staying positive to give them the best chance of recovery. If you treat your loved one like he’s an invalid or near death, he may feel worse about himself and his situation, instead of better.
Skin Cancer
Always wear some sort of protection from the sun when going out into the sunshine. This helps reduce your risk contracting skin cancer. Ultraviolet rays have a damaging effect on the skin, and if not treated, skin cancer can be deadly. A waterproof sunscreen of SPF30+ is suggested, in particular if you have fair skin which is even more susceptible to sunburn.
Different types of clothing will protect your skin in varying amounts from the sun’s rays. If you can’t find sun-blocking clothes locally, then the Internet is a great resource for specialty retailers.
Life continues, even when you are stricken with illness. Try to participate in your typical activities as long as you feel up to them. If you find joy in something, do not let your cancer keep you away from it. In fact, continuing your passions and pleasures will keep up your spirits and positive attitude.
Remind anyone you know who is battling cancer that you love them as often as you can. While it’s true that action speak louder than words, all your actions carry far more meaning when accompanied by these three words. This is a great way that you care and they are not alone in their fight.
If your cancer medications are causing diarrhea, then you may have to cut your caffeine intake, or add a food or supplement to counter this side effect. You might feel more alert, but the caffeine does increase the severity of cancer-related diarrhea. To reduce the severity of diarrhea, steer clear of caffeine.
If you need to be in bed during your cancer treatment, bring entertainment right along with you. You may not be comfortable putting a television set in your room, but if you’re bedridden you may need one. Most likely you are going to spend a lot of time in bed while you’re being treated. You might find that time flies by faster during your recovery.
If you have ovarian cancer, your doctor will recommend either surgery or chemotherapy, or both, for treatment. Surgery consists of removing the ovaries or Fallopian tubes, and in severe cases even a hysterectomy. Chemotherapy kills any cancer cells that are still there. Chemo is usually done after surgery, although some women are treated this way prior to surgery.
Don’t avoid talking about the future and plans for the future with a cancer patient. Knowing that you believe they have the future to look forward to can be an inspiration to their spirit. This type of discussion about future events will share optimism between the two of you.
The stress and fears regarding cancer that plague your mind can be set at ease in so many different ways. Unfortunately, there isn’t any magic remedy out there that’s going to cure the disease, but there are many different ways in which to treat it and to help you feel at ease when treating it. If you apply the advice provided in the above article, you’ll have a better mindset for defeating your cancer.