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.
Immediately stop smoking if your doctor tells you that you have cancer. One of the worst things you can do after being diagnosed with cancer is to continue smoking or using tobacco products. There is no sound basis for assuming that continuing this unhealthy habit is justified by illness. Cigarettes are loaded with carcinogens, which impair your body’s ability to bounce back from the effects of cancer.
Sugar can contribute to cancer growing in your body, so reduce your consumption of this product. Change your diet to limit your intake of sugar in order to starve cancer cells. Although doing this may not get rid of the cancer, you can use it along with other therapy in your fight against the disease.
Make it a priority to sit down and really listen to the feelings and concerns of anyone close to you who has received a cancer diagnosis. Even if it is difficult, you have to give them a chance to talk about their feelings. Be careful to keep your focus on them and do not interject your personal opinions.
Cancer is very difficult for both the patient and his family. There are many ways to deal with cancer, so consult with a doctor regularly.
If you want to catch cancer in its earliest stages, know what symptoms to look for. Losing weight rapidly and unexpectedly, dark feces and cramping are just a few of the symptoms of colon cancer. So make sure you get yourself checked out if any of these symptoms occur.
Exposure to ultra violet radiation from the sun is one of the leading causes of cancer. The most common type of cancer it causes is skin cancer. When spending time outdoors in the sun, apply liberal amounts of sunscreen, and shield your face from the sun by wearing a hat.
When a loved one is faced with cancer, it is important to help them with doctor appointments. If you have a neutral person around, it helps with asking questions and bringing up concerns.
When you are battling cancer, exercising is critical. Exercise will help keep the body working right and get the blood pumping through your body. When the blood is flowing faster through your body, vital nutrients and pharmaceuticals that are needed to cure your disease will more easily travel to the areas of your body affected with cancer cells.
It is a well known fact that fish such as salmon is a healthy food choice. However, the fatty acids that are in salmon, as well as its low mercury count, can also help prevent cancer. Eating it a few times per week will help you to keep cancer at bay and enjoy a great meal at the same time.
If you have just been told you have cancer, try to stop smoking right now. Some people who have cancer mistakenly think they can keep smoking because the damage is already done. The carcinogens contained in cigarettes could decrease the chance of their body recovering from cancer.
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. This will include nurses, oncologists, specialists and support groups who can help you with treatment or aid you in your fight. You can’t do this alone; be ready to allow people into your life to help.
Find out what to expect from your body, before you go through your regular cancer treatments. Your doctor can make you aware of any possible side effects of treatment. You may need to buy a wig, if you lose hair or wear makeup, if your complexion becomes very pale, and it makes you uncomfortable.
Always be ready to fight! Don’t forget, this is your life you’re fighting for, and you will be in the best winning position if you refuse to give up and stay strong and ready to face the war.
Don’t be afraid to make yourself heard. There are still a lot of outdated ideas out there about cancer. You may run into people who believe they can catch it or who wonder whether you can continue to hold down a job. Think of the questions you may be asked and form the answers you wish to give to them. It will benefit you greatly and how other people respond during your treatment.
Avoid doctors that you cannot communicate openly and honestly with. Your doctor should available to you and not rush you or brush aside your concerns or fears. Make sure that all of your concerns are immediately addressed, you shouldn’t have to stress about things as much.
Smoking cigarettes increases your risk of cancer. While most people are aware that quitting smoking reduces your chances of getting lung cancer or emphysema, smokers may not realize that quitting also helps them avoid colon cancer. Inhaling tobacco smoke moves carcinogens into your colon, while the tobacco can even help colon polyps grow larger. Yet another reason to stop smoking.
If a friend or family member is suffering from cancer, you should help them to find support groups where they can chat with fellow sufferers. The Internet should contain loads of information about cancer support groups in your neighborhood, and all the groups will be more than happy to accommodate a new member. This provides a great outlet for a cancer survivor to let out their emotions.
Depression will reduce the effectiveness of your immune system, opening up the chance for your cancer to grow or metastasize. Depression makes it more likely that someone will stop fighting their cancer.
If the medications for your cancer treatment are making your stomach upset, try to stop drinking coffee. Caffeine may increase the problem so it is probably best to completely eliminate it. You should also get rid of caffeine from other sources, including tea, soft drinks, and chocolate.
After being diagnosed with cancer you’ll have to become open with people you’ve just met. In addition to doctors, nurses and medical assistants who help attack your physical disease, you’ll need people who provide support and empathy, so that you don’t develop depression or other mental problems along with the cancer. This is a journey you cannot make alone, so form the intention of reaching out and accepting these new people into your life.
Whether you have had cancer for a day or a year, it’s never a bad idea to sign up for a support group devoted to cancer. You can talk to other sufferers about how you can physically and mentally cope with this disease. Family members are often welcome to the group as well.
Daily Basis
Treating a loved one with cancer the same as you did before their diagnosis is key to their recovery. People with cancer need to be surrounded by positive energy, rather than sadness and pity. If you show a cancer patient how upset you are, you could make them feel guilty.
Make sure you are getting enough vitamin E on a daily basis. Taking the recommended amount of vitamin E on a daily basis helps prevent cancer. Both sexes can benefit equally in terms of cancer prevention by taking this vitamin. You can add many foods to your diet that are high in Vitamin E to reach your daily needs. A lot of them are very tasty.
When going outdoors in the sunshine, it’s advised to cover your skin with sunscreen or clothing to lessen the risk of acquiring skin cancer. The sun is the leading cause of melanoma, and it can lead to fatalities if untreated. It is recommended that you use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more, especially if your skin is fair. Fair skin takes sun damage more easily.
If you are suffering from cancer, you should join one of the many cancer support groups available. Other cancer patients know ways to deal with the disease that you might not be aware of. Some of these groups allow you to bring family, too.
Different types of clothing will protect your skin in varying amounts from the sun’s rays. If your local stores do not carry them, check on the Internet; you are bound to come across some that are just perfect.
Skin Cancer
Don’t be outside in the sunlight from 10 am to 3pm. If you go outside before these hours, you will lessen the chance of skin damage becoming cancer.
When going outdoors in the sunshine, it’s advised to cover your skin with sunscreen or clothing to lessen the risk of acquiring skin cancer. Skin cancer can quickly contaminate other organs within the body, and this cancer is caused by the UV rays of the sun. 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.
Reducing your risk of cancer is much simpler than beating it. You can decrease your chances of developing skin cancer by always covering your skin when you are outside in the sun, with either a good sunscreen or natural fabric.
Understand any physical changes or side effects that will occur before you begin any treatment. Knowing what to expect will help you go through the process. If you are receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment, ask other patients how they dealt with hair loss so you can be prepared ahead of time.
Make time for fun in your life. Being diagnosed with cancer does not mean you must change how you choose to live your life. Continue to find time for things that bring you enjoyment, such as the cinema, reading a great book, or heading out to a football game. You probably have to plan ahead to make sure that these activities do not exhaust you, but you should still enjoy what you like to do in life.
Certain clothes will not keep the suns rays from damaging your skin. There are many attractive styles available in some local stores, and they are also easily available online.
Sleep is important to everyone, but it is especially important to get a full nights rest of eight or more hours if you are suffering from cancer. The treatments at typical cancer centers will often leave the body completely exhausted and stretched to the limit. Sleeping well enhances healing, and gives you the energy you need to live your life as normally as possible. If you are feeling tired throughout the day, don’t be afraid to take additional nap times.
Be sure to set aside some time for enjoyment. Being diagnosed with cancer doesn’t mean that you will be unable enjoy life any longer. Continue to do things you love to do, whether it’s reading, watching movies or going to sporting events. Perhaps you will have to plan things in advance, but do not let cancer keep you from enjoying your life.
Life will continue even though you are sick! Try to participate in your typical activities as long as you feel up to them. Illness should not stop you from doing the things you really love. If an activity makes you happy, doing it for as long as possible will help you maintain a positive attitude.
Some foods target specific types of cancer. For example, tomatoes are thought to fight against prostate cancer. There is a wealth of research that suggests the cancer fighting properties of certain foods.
During the time that you’re receiving treatment for cancer, you might also benefit from complementary therapies that you can continue to use for long afterwards. Consider getting a massage or acupuncture treatment, or you could also give aromatherapy a shot. Yoga is another great way to reduce stress. Consider trying one of these options, and you may just discover a great way to reduce stress as you go through the struggle of treatment.
As you face your fears and start your cancer treatments, make use of the advice above to live the best life that you can. Even though no miraculous cure-all exists for cancer, there are many steps that can be taken to ease the process of dealing with it. You can take some advice here to overcome the effects of cancer in your life in a thoughtful daily process.
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. Although coffee can help you stay alert, it contributes to diarrhea. Avoid caffeine completely to reduce your symptoms.