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.
Finding cancer early on is critical to fighting and beating cancer. Be prepared to make appointments for screening tests, which will let you know if you have cancer before any symptoms appear. For certain cancers that are more common, such as breast or testicular cancer, you should utilize monthly tests that you can perform on your own to find out if you are at risk.
Keeping your weight down, eating a healthy diet and getting enough exercise can not only make you feel great every day, but can also reduce your risk of cancer. Eat lots of vegetables and fruit, drink adequate water and aim for 30 minutes of exercise a day. Not only will it improve your life, it could reduce your risk of cancer.
Prepare yourself for the changes you will go through, while being treated for cancer. Your physician can give you a good heads up about the side effects that your drugs and treatment might instigate. Common things you might need to do include buying a wig to address hair loss or wear makeup, due to changes in complexion.
Be mindful that any fruits and vegetables that you purchase at the store are possibly contaminated. To prevent bugs, bacteria and fungus, farmers usually spray the crops with pesticides. Before consuming vegetables and fruits, wash them using water and mild soap in order to remove the pesticides left on it, or try purchasing foods that have fewer pesticide risks.
There are many people out there who have antiquated notions of cancer. 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.
In order to catch colon cancer in its early stages, know the signs and symptoms. Examples of colon cancer symptoms include sudden, inexplicable weight loss, bloody or thin stools and constant cramping. Be sure to get checked out if you display these types of symptoms.
Be proactive in accepting the challenges and changes that living with cancer brings. Prepare yourself now in order to win the fight later.
What you want people to do, and what people are capable of, are two entirely different things. Be thankful for the support others are giving you.
Don’t be afraid to fight. With cancer you are basically in a fight for your life. You need to be strong and ready to fight.
If you accompany a family member to an appointment with their oncologist, take the opportunity to get answers to questions you may have as well. You’ll be able to ask things that the patient might not think of, providing answers to your questions and information for them as well.
If you find that the medication or treatment you are receiving for cancer is causing stomach complications, the problem might be because of coffee. Stop drinking it. These kinds of problems are made worse by the caffeine found in coffee, so it is a good idea to avoid the beverage altogether. Be sure to avoid other caffeinated foods and drinks, like sodas and chocolate, for the same reasons.
There are many methods and resources to help ease your stress and allay your fears about dealing with cancer in your life. There isn’t a single treatment that can address all types of cancer, but there are some common threads to the treatments that can help you deal with cancer effectively. You can overcome cancer by following these tips and keeping a positive outlook.