Cancer isn’t the “C” word for nothing! It’s enough to bring a grown man to tears. Having some knowledge can really help you when you are experiencing cancer yourself or assisting a loved one who is. Read this article for information and insight about various types of cancer.
Cancer is a tumultuous time for both the patient and their family. Consult a physician with regularity, since many treatment options exist for cancer.
Cancer patients who smoke should commit to quitting as soon as possible. Many cancer sufferers make the mistake thinking they don’t have to stop smoking because they’re already ill. However, cigarettes are loaded with carcinogens that significantly reduce your body’s likelihood for recovery.
Be prepared to face physical changes in your body, during cancer treatment. 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.
If you know someone with a diagnosis of cancer, give them the opportunity to talk to you. It will not always be easy, but your family member or friend needs the chance to talk about their feelings. This is a time to avoid your own opinions and simply listen to their feelings and concerns.
If you know you are at risk for certain types of cancer, learn to recognize symptoms. Examples of colon cancer symptoms include sudden, inexplicable weight loss, bloody or thin stools and constant cramping. If you show any of these signs, get yourself checked out.
Wild Salmon
Most people know that wild salmon is extremely nutritious. However, are you aware that salmon is packed with healthy omega-3 fatty acids? These properties have been linked to cancer prevention. You can do your part to prevent cancer by including wild salmon into your diet a few times per week.
Sometimes the support you get will be of a different character than you expected. Take comfort in every ounce of support that is given to you.
Fear of fighting the disease can add damaging stress to your life. Remember that your life actually hangs in the balance here, so determination to never yield a centimeter of ground is the resolve that gives you the best odds at surviving.
Actively participating in treatments will help you to better fight against cancer, rather than just sitting there and allowing the doctors to treat you. Be constantly aware of your situation and always ask questions. You will not get better if you aren’t actively involved in the process.
If someone you know has cancer, help find a support group they can join. There are plenty of virtual support groups, as well as local cancer survivors who can speak with your loved one. Either option will help the cancer sufferer deal with her emotions more effectively.
Seal up any decks or play sets that were built before 2005. Oftentimes, an arsenic pesticide was applied to the wood used in these older structures. This chemical has the potential to cause cancer, but you can keep your family safe from this danger by using a quality sealant on the wood.
If someone close to you has cancer, accompany them on their doctor’s visits. Talk to their doctor about any questions or concerns you might have. Just because you aren’t a patient doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have questions for the doctor as well. The goal is to be able to offer the support needed and doing so through a professional’s advice, not guesswork or theories.
Stop Drinking
If medication or other treatments for your cancer are bothering your stomach, stop drinking coffee altogether. The caffeine aggravates these symptoms, so you want to stop drinking it altogether. Also, try to avoid all other sources of caffeine, which is usually present in soft drinks and chocolate as well.
Ask questions about what types of physical changes you should expect as your treatment progresses. You will make the changes easier if you are prepared. If your treatment will cause you to lose your hair, talk to other patients who have undergone the treatment. They will be able to provide you with helpful tips about wigs and makeup that will help with the transition.
There are certain therapies that can assist you in treating your disease and helping you with life afterwards. Try a massage, acupuncture, yoga, or aromatherapy to better manage and relieve the stress cancer brings to your life. These types of therapies can help lower your stress while you battle cancer, which will increase your overall health.
If diarrhea is one of the side effects of your cancer treatments, then you should consider cutting back on other irritants like coffee. While it helps you to stay awake, caffeine can make your diarrhea worse. Avoid any kind of caffeine to lessen the severity of the symptom.
Make sure not to participate in risky behaviors. Participating in dangerous activities can increase the chance of developing an infection, which is potentially fatal in a cancer patient. Therefore, you should make sure that you practice safe sex and you should avoid ever sharing needles with anyone.
Ovarian cancer is often treated with surgery and chemotherapy. Depending on your specific situation, you may need to have your ovaries, fallopian tubes or possibly your whole reproductive system removed to rid your body of all cancer cells. Your doctor may also add a treatment to kill left over cancer with one or more chemicals, or chemotherapy. Some women use chemo before they have surgery, but usually it’s done after surgery.
The very concept of cancer can provoke fear and dread. Use the tips given here to proceed confidently against cancer, whether to prevent it or treat it, or support another person fighting it.