Sensible Tips On The Fight Against Cancer
Sensible Tips On The Fight Against Cancer
Your entire life is going to change, both physically and emotionally, when you have cancer and even treatable cancer can take its toll on you and make you imagine the worst. When you need tools and resources to help you beat this sickness, read these expert tips on how to handle cancer.
Consider getting a genetic test for cancer. If you are at high risk for cancer based on family history, it could be beneficial to undergo genetic testing. Before making the decision, be sure to get a complete and accurate family history and discuss your options with your doctor. Knowing whether or not you are genetically predisposed to cancer can influence your prevention strategies and decrease your risk of developing cancer.
Take advantage of the help and assistance programs available to cancer patients. The American Cancer Society provides the Patient Navigation Program to help you navigate the journey from diagnosis to treatment to recovery. The Patient Navigators and volunteers trained by the American Cancer Society are available at cancer treatment centers and hospitals across the United States.
Actively participating in treatments will help you to better fight against cancer rather than just sitting there and allowing the doctors to treat you. Do not remove yourself from the situation. This is not how you get better. Be actively involved in everything that’s going on around you and with all your treatments.
If you are living on your own while going through cancer treatment, think ahead. Prepare larger amounts of food on the days that you feel well enough to cook and put the extras in containers in the freezer for the days that you do not feel much like cooking.
Limit your alcohol consumption. Drinking alcohol can raise cancer risk, and the risk raises as the consumption increases. If you do drink alcohol, you can cut down on your cancer risk by limiting your alcohol intake. You should try to have no more than one drink a day if you are a woman and two a day if you are a man.
If you are taking care of someone with cancer, it is important to address your own feelings and fears. By working through your own needs, you will be a better support to the person you love, and you will be able to listen to them more effectively. If you need to, seek out another person who can be your sounding board when things get difficult.
If someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer, take the time to listen to them. It may be a difficult thing to do at times, but your friend or family member needs to have the opportunity to express their feelings. Make sure not to give your personal opinions or interrupt; this time is for them.
Handling your cancer needs to be your number-one priority, and there is absolutely no shame in seeking assistance for this. Whether you find it through a loved one or through an article like this, full of tips and tactics, the more help you can get, the more hope you have of getting rid of the disease.