Have you been recently diagnosed with cancer? If yes, then it’s ok to feel stressed and worried. Feelings of uncertainty about your financial and future concerns can lead to numerous distinct reactions, like grief. You may even have trouble sleeping, or simply feel exhausted.
But you would be glad to know that there are numerous ways to cope with fear and stress associated with cancer. With proper support and education, you can diagnose and get proper treatment for your cancer.
Here we share some tips that may help you cope up with cancer easily.
How Can You Ease Stress Related to Cancer?
When you are diagnosed with cancer then stress can build up and affect the overall way how you feel about your life. Continuous stress can result in anger, frustration, loneliness, and even depression.
The person diagnosed with cancer is not the only one who gets affected. Even members of the family are also influenced to a great extent.
The most vital step you can take in this situation is to seek help and support as soon as you feel lonely and are unable to cope with cancer. It is possible to understand and deal with the various side-effects of this illness by taking appropriate actions. When you learn to manage stress it will help you maintain an emotional, positive, and spiritual outlook.
Ways to Reduce Stress Associated to Cancer
Here are some tips to reduce stress:
- Believe that there are certain events, which you can control.
- Maintain a positive attitude.
- Try to stay relaxed.
- Stay assertive, rather than being aggressive.
- Consume a well-balanced meal.
- Exercise regularly, as, if your body is physically fit then it can fight against stress easily
- Take proper rest and sleep. Give your body enough time to recover from stress.
- Avoid consuming drugs or alcohols in order to reduce stress.
Gain Knowledge about Your Medical Condition
- You must have complete knowledge and understanding of your medical condition. Don’t be afraid to consult your doctor, nurse, and other healthcare professionals to get explanations for instructions or medical terms that you are not able to understand. They must be available to answer all your questions and address your queries.
- Make the best use of support services and resources offered by your hospital and community. Gain knowledge about your ailment so that you feel more comfortable with the treatment.
- Talk with other patients or their families about the ailment and its treatment.
- Ask your friends and family to help you sort through the details you get.
The Different Types of Cancer Support Available
The good thing is that there are numerous resources available to offer support for cancer patients. Some of the top-notch among them are:
Individual Counseling
In most of the cases, people have issues related to this ailment. It is possible to address such issues conveniently in a one-to-one session. You can participate in individual counseling programs to effectively express your private or sensitive feelings about the illness and its impact on your relationships and lifestyle.
With individual counseling sessions, it is possible for the families and patients to:
- Develop and learn about coping abilities
- Discuss personal issues
- Gain a sense of control
- Enjoy the good quality of life
Additionally, the mental health care providers are available to offer a treatment plan to meet your unique needs. It is possible to design the strategies to help regain a sense of control over your life and enhance your quality of life. If you are suffering from depression then learn about other available medications and treatment options than those prescribed by your doctor.
Social Workers and Patient Navigators
Social workers and patient navigators are available for cancer patients and their families to discuss the various concerns they may have about the diagnosis and treatment or their personal situation. There are gift ideas for cancer patients at HelpThemFight.com
They can educate you regarding lifestyle changes and community referrals, support groups, and national agencies. Also, they can help families to find temporary lodging and offer information about available community resources available for the needy.
Support Groups
Furthermore, you can always participate in a support group. This can be very useful to share experiences. The support groups offer an environment where you can learn novel ways to deal with the illness from others who are experiencing the same issues and challenges.
The support groups can explain things differently than your doctors. Also, they may share different approaches with you. You can gain strength in understanding that you are not the only who is facing this hardship.
Cancer is definitely a life-threatening ailment, but if it is diagnosed early, it is possible to cure it completely. Over the years, the success rate of curing cancer patients has increased a lot. Hence, get adequate support and help if you are suffering from this illness.
About Author:
Dr Amit Gandhi Finished MS General Surgery From KEM Hospital. After which he did Comprehensive Cancer training at Tata Memorial Hospital for 5 yrs. He finished his residency at Tata in 2008, later established the Cansure centre cancer clinic with the intention to provide comprehensive cancer care and treatment for cancer under one roof.