Cancer is a major illness, but not everyone who gets cancer will die from it. Just like anyone with a chronic health problem, people who have cancer must get regular checkups for the rest of their lives, even after cancer treatment ends. But unlike other chronic health problems, if you have cancer you probably will not need to take medicine unless indicated by the Doctor or eat special foods once you have finished treatment.
If you have cancer, you may notice every slightest ache, pain, or sign of illness. Even little aches may make you worry. While it is normal to think about dying and it’s healthy to explore your feelings about death, it is also important to focus on living. Keep in mind that cancer is not a death sentence. Many people with cancer are treated successfully.
Others will live a long time before dying from cancer. So, make the most of each day while living with cancer and its treatments.
This is written to help you learn from other people with cancer. Finding out how others respond to cancer might help you understand your own feelings. Learning how others manage the special problems that cancer brings might help you find your own ways of coping with the problems that come along for you.
You will have many feelings after you learn that you have cancer. These feelings can change
from day to day, hour to hour, or even minute to minute. Some of the feelings you may go
through include:
All these feelings are normal.
Feeling hopeful is also normal. No one is cheerful all the time, but while you are dealing with
cancer, hope can be an important part of your life.
People with cancer and those close to them experience a wide range of feelings and
emotions. These feelings can change often and without warning.
At times, you may:
Cancer will change your life and the lives of people around you.
Families come in many forms. Some are husband, wife, and children. Others are life partners. Still others are groups of people who love and support each other.
No matter what form your family takes, your cancer will not only change your life, but also the lives of those around you.
Cancer impacts families in different ways.
Cancer is hard to deal with all alone. Although talking about your cancer can be hard at first, most people find that sharing their thoughts and feelings helps them deal with their cancer.
Keep in mind:
Friends and family have feelings about your cancer just as you have strong feelings about cancer, your family or friends will react to it as well. For instance, your friends or family may:
When you first learn you have cancer, daily life can feel like it is turned upside down. Learning more about your type of cancer and its treatment can help you feel more in control. Learn about your type of cancer and its treatment by:
Learning about your cancer can help you talk to your doctor about which treatment is right for you.
When you have cancer and when you are having treatment for cancer, changes occur.
These changes can be hard to accept. But most people with cancer find that, with time, they are able to develop a new self-image by:
Living with cancer means not only looking at death but also how to live the rest of your life—whether it is long or short. Take care of daily duties and do things that are fun. Both are needed for a full life.
Many people who have cancer feel that living each day to the fullest means:
It is hard for other people to know when to talk about cancer. Sometimes people send a signal when they want to talk. They might:
Even though your needs are greater when you have cancer, it can be hard to ask for help to meet those needs.
To get the help you need, think about turning to:
No one needs to face cancer alone. When people with cancer seek and receive help from others, they often find it easier to cope.
These changes can be hard to accept. But most people with cancer find that, with time, they are able to develop a new self-image by:
Referral source: www.cancer.gov
CanHOPE, a ParkwayHealth initiative together with the multi-disciplinary team of doctors tries to bring about a holistic approach to cancer care at no extra cost. Counsellors manned its cancer counselling service through a hotline and email to provide emotional and psychosocial support to all patients and caregivers to assist them to cope effectively with cancer. A meet and greet service with face-to-face counselling can also be arranged.
Patients, health care professionals & the general public can also receive up-to-date cancer information, its related screening tests, treatment and referral to appropriate cancer services, resources for further rehabilitation and support services, advice on side-effects of cancer treatment, coping strategies, diet and nutrition.
Disclaimer Notice:
The information provided on this website is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this website is for general information purposes only. Parkway Cancer Centre makes no representation and assumes no responsibility if the information, contained on or available through this website, is taken without our specialists’ consult
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