Around 1.6 million people are diagnosed with cancer every year in the United States alone. It can be a devastating diagnosis that can leave you feeling scared, depressed, and hopeless, but there is lots of help and support out there, and you are not alone
If you have been diagnosed with cancer and you are struggling to cope, here are a few things that might help:
Read up
Reading up on your condition, your treatment options, and what you are likely to face in the coming months can help you to feel more in control of your health and diagnosis, and the more you know, the less fearful you are likely to be about unknowns such as radiotherapy or chemo.
Of course, it can be a lot to take in, so if you struggle with anything, never be too afraid to ask your doctors to explain it to you – they will be only too happy to help.
Join a support group
Joining s cancer support group is a great way to meet peers who are going through the same things you are or will in the future. Whether you’re looking for moral support or practical tips about how to keep nausea at bay during treatment or where to buy the best realistic breast forms post-surgery, there will be so many nice people willing to talk you through it and give you the knowledge of their experience.
Talk to your loved ones
Of course, talking to your loved ones is also really important. It can be tempting to shit them off when you have had a tough health diagnosis, but they are the people who love you the most and they will want to be around whether you need a shoulder to cry on or someone to cook and clean for you when you are feeling unwell. So, keep them in the loop and let them be your shoulder to lean on.
Prepare yourself
It’s often easier to cope with big changes such as hair loss, mastectomies, and having to give up work if you prepare yourself for them in advance. Of course, not everyone will experience every symptom or consequence of a cancer diagnosis, but the more you know about what might happen and the sooner you prepare yourself for the possibility of them happening in the future, the more ease with which you will be able to navigate them if and when they touch your life.
Say healthy
This might sound like a contradiction when you are sick. But when you have cancer, it can be really important to maintain a healthy diet and exercise, and continue doing as many of the things you did before as you can. A healthy body and mind will help to get you through your treatment with greater ease, and the closer your life is to normal. The less mental impact your diagnosis is likely to have. Although, of course, it is always going to be difficult.
A cancer diagnosis is never easy, but the less stress you have in your life right now, the easier your journey will be, and the above tips can certainly help you with that. Take care & get well soon!