Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, and a diagnosis is devastating. Meningitis and rare types of flu have probably been thought about, but cancer affects millions. Read on for useful information and guidance on issues related to cancer.
Cancer is a stressful diagnosis for both the patient and his or her family. However, there are many options for treatment currently available which can either prolong the patient’s life or even cure the cancer. To find out the best treatment option available, talk with a doctor.
Try to reduce the amount of sugar that you consume, as part of your daily diet. Sugar is what cancer cells use to grow, so eliminating sugar completely can help to starve out your cancer. This might not get rid of your cancer, but you can use it with something else to help treat it.
Detecting cancer early can mean the difference between life and death. There are many powerful tests and screening procedures that can provide evidence of cancer even before you experience any symptoms. You can also do regular at home exams on yourself to detect changes in your body in areas that are prone to cancer like testes or breasts. The more often you check yourself the better you will be at noticing any differences.
There a lot of people who have outdated feelings towards cancer. A lot of people think you can catch cancer or you are out of work forever. Make it a point to be completely transparent and candid.
If you have been diagnosed with cancer you need to quit smoking right away. Smokers with cancer often think that quitting is pointless since they are sick anyway. By continuing to introduce into the body the carcinogens found in the cigarettes, you are less likely to fully recover.
If someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer, take the time to listen to them. It can seem hard to talk about at first, but you will soon understand the importance of being able to express your feelings to another person who actually understands what you are going through. This is a time to avoid your own opinions and simply listen to their feelings and concerns.
Correct people’s misconceptions when required. Plenty of people still live under false stereotypes of the “cancer patient”. They may think you are unable to perform your job or may be contagious, take this chance to prove them wrong. Have a good answer planned in advance and answer them immediately. It will give you control of the conversation and a little bit of confidence.
Quitting Smoking
Consult cancer information, especially scientific journals, if you or a loved one suffers from cancer. Confidence is really critical here.
While it may be common information that quitting smoking can reduce the chances emphysema and lung cancer, many smokers are unaware that smoking can also lead to colon cancer. Smoking can enlarge polyps in the colon due to the cancerous chemicals from the tobacco. These are some of the other reasons why quitting smoking is so important.
Depression has significant effects on your immune system and decreases your ability to fight disease. They may entirely give up fighting the disease.
If a family member is suffering from cancer, you should always attend any doctors appointments with them. Having a second pair of ears to listen for information and someone who may be thinking more clearly about questions or concerns is a great idea.
You will develop many new friends while undergoing treatment of your cancer. 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. You can’t do this alone; be ready to allow people into your life to help.
Don’t let the thought of some mild discomfort discourage you if you need to be screened for breast cancer. The discomfort is slight, and lasts for only a minute or two. The end result could be catching cancer in time and saving your breasts and your life, so do not allow the fear of being uncomfortable deter you from getting a screening.
Take an active stance in your treatment plan. Passively going along with treatments will not produce the best results. Do not allow yourself to become just an uninformed subject in each medical procedure. This will not help you get better faster, or at all.
Lots of people understand that fish, such as salmon, is extremely healthy for their bodies. But did you know that the omega-3 fatty acids and low mercury count of salmon can also help you to prevent cancer? A few portions of this delicious fish each week can help keep your body cancer-free.
Consuming large amounts of alcohol will not prevent cancer. Wine has cancer prevention benefits due to the properties in grapes. Actually, imbibing alcohol in large quantities makes you more susceptible to developing cancer.
Be prepared to make new “friends” when you have cancer; i.e. people you have to let into your life with open arms. This will include nurses, oncologists, specialists and support groups who can help you with treatment or aid you in your fight. Cancer is not something you can go through alone, be ready to let these special people into your life.
Understand the symptoms of cancer and how to identify when you could be at risk. Knowing what to look for can give you the advantage of early detection and a possible cure.
Stay away from doctors who you are having trouble communicating with. Some questions just can’t wait for an answer. Address concerns as soon as you have them, or else they could be forgotten and become more serious.
Don’t drink coffee if you suffer from an upset stomach from your cancer medication or treatment. Caffeine is known to worsen this type of side effect, even in small amounts, so eliminate it from your diet. You should also get rid of caffeine from other sources, including tea, soft drinks, and chocolate.
Ask questions if you go to the doctor with a family member. By having your questions answered, you will be better informed and hence, better able to provide support.
Consume your daily dose of vitamin E each day. Vitamin E, when taken in its recommended dosage, has been shown to have astounding benefits in the prevention of cancer. There are hundreds of different foods that contain vitamin E or, if you prefer, you could take a vitamin E health supplement.
Tell your friends and family about the diagnosis in an open and honest manner. A strong support system is important at this time, so do not try to be tough and end up feeling alone and isolated. Being open with your family will strengthen your bond, and benefit everyone involved.
Cancer support groups are a great thing to join if you have had cancer or were recently diagnosed with it. It is good to speak to other cancer patients about how they cope with the disease. Family members are often welcome to the group as well.
Physical Changes
It can be difficult to know how to treat a family member with cancer, but it is best to treat them normally. Cancer patients need to have a lot of positive energy from their loved ones and when they feel that people are sorry for them and the condition that they are in, they in turn feel bad about it themselves.
Prior to treatment, ask questions about the physical changes that you can expect. Being prepared for these physical changes will help you better cope with them. For example, if you expect to lose your hair, you’ll be able to get advice about wigs or scalp treatments from others who have already gone through it.
Be totally honest with your friends and family about your cancer. 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. Talking honestly about what is going on will help strengthen the connections between you and those you love.
It is wise to avoid direct sun from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. Go outside before or after those times to enjoy the fresh air without damaging your skin.
Before you go outside, make sure that you are wearing enough clothing to protect your skin. Any exposed skin should have sunscreen on it, to lower the chances of developing skin cancer. Excessive exposure to the sun’s UV rays can cause melanoma, or skin cancer, which is one of the most deadly cancers. It is a good idea to use a waterproof sunscreen with SPF30 or greater, especially if your skin is fair and even more prone to being sunburned.
Make time for fun in your life. You don’t have to (and shouldn’t) completely change your lifestyle just because you have cancer. You should take time to do things you genuinely enjoy, such as going to events or treating yourself to a new book. You may need to plan a little more carefully to ensure that these events do not take an unnecessary toll on you, but you still need to experience life.
Ask questions about what types of physical changes you should expect as your treatment progresses. If you know how the treatment will affect your body, it’ll be easier to deal with any physical changes or problems. If your treatment plan includes chemotherapy, you may want to consider buying a wig or wearing head scarves to cover your treatment-related hair loss.
You should try to sleep around eight hours each night! Cancer treatments are likely to leave you stressed and exhausted. When you get high quality sleep, it will help your body rejuvenate, and leave you refreshed to face the challenges of each day. You may find it helpful to set a time for a nap, or just for a relaxation period each day.
When a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, it is very important for them to know that they have people around them that love them. Therefore, tell them that you love them often. Expressing your feelings is important, even if you show your love through your actions too. Hearing these words can help to reassure a cancer patient that no matter what happens you will be there for them.
If you’re getting cancer treatments, you should supplement them with other types of therapies to help you relax. Try using aromatherapy, getting acupuncture treatment or a massage. You might even consider giving yoga classes a try. All these different ways will help you not be as stressed as you battle this disease that adds tremendous stress to your life.
If you are afflicted with cancer, then you should consider adding any entertainment you enjoy to your bedroom. Although you may have banned the TV from your bedroom previously, it may be time to reconsider. During your treatment, you will probably feel weak and will have to spend a lot of time in bed. This could help the time go by a little quicker when you are in recovery.
Cancer worries people because it can be anywhere in the body, and it can happen at any time. Following the advice from this article can really assist you in understanding and fighting cancer, if you or a loved one should happen to be diagnosed.
If you have ovarian cancer then you are most likely looking at chemotherapy and surgery. They may remove one or even both ovaries, but in the worst-case scenario they will have to remove your uterus and lymph nodes as well. In chemotherapy, drugs are utilized to eradicate the cancer cells that remain. Some women use chemo before they have surgery, but usually it’s done after surgery.