Of any disease to be diagnosed with, cancer is the scariest. The fact that cancer is so prevalent makes it all the more alarming. Review the information provided here, and become more knowledgeable about cancer and how to best handle it.
Prepare yourself for the changes you will go through, while being treated for cancer. A health care professional can outline the different treatment options and the likely side effects of each one. If hair loss is possible, you might want to buy a wig or if your complexion gets pale, you may need new makeup to help you feel more comfortable.
Be cautious about chemical contamination on fresh fruits and vegetables from the store. Most produce is regularly treated with various pesticides to protect them from pests and diseases. Wash off all of your vegetables and fruits before you eat them to get rid of any pesticides. You might also want to consider buying organic foods with little or no exposure to pesticide products.
Smokers should quit smoking cigarettes. Smoking can cause lung cancer, emphysema and even colon cancer. The smoke you inhale brings carcinogens into your lungs, and from there, they flow throughout your body. If you have any polyps in your colon, the tobacco will increase their size. Knowing all the risks, you have no excuse to keep smoking.
Don’t get scared of the discomfort you may feel while getting an examination for breast cancer. The procedure is pretty quick, lasting only a few minutes. It can lead to the detection of cancer and saving your life, so don’t let your fear stand between you and taking care of your health.
If you are diagnosed with cancer, it is better to understand what you will be going through before you actually experience it. Prepare yourself now to fight the good fight.
When you are diagnosed with cancer be ready to make some new “friends”. Such new friends are going to include nursing staff, members of your support circle, fellow patients, oncologists and chemotherapy technicians. Graciously allow these people to help you, because you can’t face cancer alone.
Establish honest and open lines of communication with those who are close to you. If you need more support from your friends and family, then by all means tell them that in a tactful manner. They may actually be relieved to have you bring it up, and they might also appreciate knowing from you what kind of support you would like and can use. Just be careful how you phrase your requests. This is an extremely difficult time. Always lead with love. You might regret not asking for help.
Don’t listen to the studies that say alcohol somehow protects against cancer. The health benefits from wine come from the grapes it is made from, not the alcohol. Actually, imbibing alcohol in large quantities makes you more susceptible to developing cancer.
If medication or other treatments for your cancer are bothering your stomach, stop drinking coffee altogether. Caffeine can cause discomfort and stomach problems in cancer patients, so maybe it’s time to switch to decaf. You should also avoid other caffeine sources, like soda and chocolate.
Cancer Diagnosis
Whether you just got a cancer diagnosis or you’ve been dealing with it for years, cancer support groups can be a big help. At a support group, you’ll have the chance to talk to others about the ways they deal with their cancer. Family members should also attend as they too will be impacted by your cancer diagnosis.
Cancer that has metastasized is much more deadly than a local form that is detected early on in its development. It is for this reason that the thought of cancer strikes fear into the minds of all people. Use the information here, and you will know more about the horrible disease, giving you a better chance of winning the fight.