We often fall short of our goals and dreams in life. Unfortunately, we can’t achieve everything we hope to accomplish. If we’re battling a serious illness like cancer, however, we can’t afford to fall short of our goal; which is to live a healthy and happy life despite our diagnosis. Read on for some tips to help fight back in the cancer battle.
Figuring out what’s going on before it happens can help when dealing with cancer. It is important to schedule tests and screenings regularly in order to determine whether or not you might have cancer before you become symptomatic. You should perform a self examination of breasts or testes once monthly, to detect any changes.
Some people may have old-fashioned ideas about cancer and its effects. Some people are under the impression that cancer is infectious, or that a person has to give up working. Try not to hide anything, and be honest.
You will feel better, look better, and have a better chance of avoiding cancer if you pay attention to your diet and get adequate exercise. A healthy lifestyle which includes adequate water, fresh vegetables and fruits and 30 minutes per day of healthy exercise will not only help protect you from cancer, but it will help you live your best life.
Don’t be afraid to make yourself heard. There might be people who do not understand your sickness and will therefore treat you differently. Think of the questions you may be asked and form the answers you wish to give to them. Being open about your disease will not only help you deal with cancer more realistically, you may be able to inform others.
To avoid getting certain types of cancer, such as colon cancer, it’s best to educate yourself about their symptoms. Losing weight, finding blood in your stool or persistent cramps could be symptoms of colon cancer. So make sure you get yourself checked out if any of these symptoms occur.
You can cut down your odds of colon cancer by over a third just by doing regular physical activity in your life. There are a few reasons for this. First, those who are active tend to be thinner and in better health. Secondly, being active lowers risk of diseases like type 2 diabetes that increase cancer risk. Fitness is a very important preventative measure.
You can reduce colon cancer by about 40% through physical activity. If you exercise on a regular basis, your body is healthier and more likely to fight off any disease. In addition, obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes and other diseases which weaken the body, and make it more prone to cancer. Put the time and effort into developing an exercise program and sticking to it to protect yourself from cancer.
Smokers should quit smoking cigarettes. Smoking can cause lung cancer, emphysema and even colon cancer. The carcinogens produced by smoking can reach the colon and cause polyps to grow. Just another reason to avoid smoking.
As if there weren’t enough reasons to quit smoking already, quitting reduces your risk of not only the cancers you would expect, like lung cancer, but also colon cancer. Any smoke that is inhaled moves carcinogens towards the colon, and tobacco has been known to make the colon polyps bigger. All of these concerns add up to serious reasons to put aside those cigarettes for good.
If you have been diagnosed with cancer, accept it now to avoid painful realizations later. Strengthening your resolve now will help you in your battles later.
You should attend any appointments with your loved ones if they have cancer. Bringing a clear-headed friend or associate along will help you have good communications with your doctor.
Be open to making new friends while you are afflicted with cancer, because a number of individuals you did not know before are going to be critical now. Examples of such people are nurses, oncologists, chemotherapy specialists, and non-medical professionals who’ll be a source of support. No one can get through cancer on their own, so be ready to accept the help of others.
Consult cancer information, especially scientific journals, if you or a loved one suffers from cancer. It’s important to be confident.
Communication is the key! If you need additional help to get through this difficult period in your life, bring the topic up gently with your loved ones. Give them a patient explanation of how they can assist you and why it’s important to do so. Caution is needed, though! This is one of the hardest times of your life. Try to make people act out of love. It is critical that you not have any regrets at this point.
Don’t get scared of the discomfort you may feel while getting an examination for breast cancer. The actual procedure takes no more than several minutes. Don’t allow the intrusive discomfort of a mammogram keep you from getting one. It may save your life by detecting cancer early.
One of the best ways to deal with a cancer diagnosis is to join a support group to talk with other people who are going through the same thing. Thanks to the Internet, it’s easy to find support groups and even people who will talk to the patient in person. This will allow the person with cancer a way to share their emotions.
Drinking those sugary sodas and other beverages can actually increase your risk of contracting cancer, so you should get rid of them. If you gain weight from carbs and foods rich in calories, your cancer will grow and spread to different parts of your body.
Don’t conceal your diagnosis from those close to you. You should avoid pushing people away by seeming strong. Cancer is a scary diagnosis, and you will need a strong support system while undergoing treatment. Open lines of communication build sound bonds that are healthy and beneficial to all involved.
There are some realities of cancer that you will have to deal with, so it is better to accept that, and not try to avoid the inevitable. It’s better to prepare for the negative aspects of than to ignore them and dread them.
Don’t be outside in the sunlight from 10 am to 3pm. Get your sun either early in the morning, or late in the afternoon to reduce your exposure to harmful UV rays.
There are many new people who will enter your life if you have cancer, as you put together a team to help develop a treatment plan. Your medical team will feature an oncologist, your doctor and nurses and your emotional support team will include friends and family, as well as support group members. People who have a good support system have higher survival rates, so welcome these people and new friends into your life and accept the help that they have to offer.
Reducing your risk of cancer is much simpler than beating it. Being able to avoid skin cancer is greatly increased by avoiding sunburns, not tanning and using sunscreen whenever you can.
Your expectations are often different from reality, so you have to be prepared for that. Have appreciation for all support you get.
There are many therapeutic methods to help treat the symptoms of both your disease and the cure. Try getting a massage, using aromatherapy, getting an acupuncture treatment, or engaging in a yoga class. These are a few of the ways you can relax during this stressful period of your life.
If one of your relatives has cancer, find a support group for him. The Internet has an abundance of resources, such as support groups, forums and websites, so that you can find the right support system. This provides a great outlet for a cancer survivor to let out their emotions.
Having a healthy lifestyle can help you cope with cancer. That means that you will need to make sure you are getting a balanced diet, are exercising, and are well rested. If you work to keep your body running well, you’ll have the energy you need to fight against cancer, and to cope with the often harsh treatments you’ll have to deal with.
Familiarize yourself with cancer symptoms, and know the risk factors. Knowing the signs and symptoms will help you to know what to look for as changes begin.
Make sure your body gets all the sleep it needs. Getting adequate sleep lets you regenerate and recover from the treatments you’re getting. You need to aim for at least seven hours of sleep each night and a one hour nap through the day.
Make a list of questions you have if you plan to attend a doctor’s visit with a loved one who has cancer. By having your questions answered, you will be better informed and hence, better able to provide support.
Moving your entertainment into your bedroom is one of the changes you can make to help you deal with cancer. Televisions are great for in the bedroom and can help keep you occupied when the days seem long and the nights are tough. You will likely spend a lot of hours in bed when getting treatments. A television will help the time to go by more quickly during your recovery.
Take vitamin E on a daily basis. Those who regularly consume the recommended dose of vitamin E are far less likely to get cancer than those who don’t. Plenty of foods contain enough vitamin E for you to get your daily dosage.
You have much to lose if you let cancer win. If you’re still alive, cancer hasn’t defeated you yet; this disease “wins” by killing you.
Whenever you are in the sun, you should cover your skin with clothing or sunscreen to make it less likely that you will contract skin cancer. UV rays in sunglight are linked to melanoma, a form of skin cancer that can be fatal. Ideally, you should use waterproof sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30; this is especially important for fair-skinned people who tend to burn in the sun.