There is no disease or ailment as frightening as cancer. Types of rare flu and dangerous meningitis have undoubtedly crossed your mind, but cancer is something that affects millions. The following article will help provide you with knowledge and ideas to help you better understand about living with cancer.
In the battle against cancer exercise matters. Exercise gets the blood flowing in your body. When the blood is flowing at its optimum throughout your body, the cancer treatments can travel everywhere they need to.
Quit Smoking
It’s especially important for cancer patients to quit smoking. The sooner you quit after receiving your diagnosis, the better your chances for long-term recovery from the disease. There are some cancer sufferers who do not quit smoking as they are of the mindset that it no longer matters now that they are already ill. Cigarettes can cause further damage to your body because they contain cancer causing agents, which diminish your body’s ability to recover.
Prepare yourself to deal with the changes that your body will go through, while dealing with cancer and the treatments for it. Your doctor will be able to tell you what affect treatment and drugs may have. Be prepared for the possibility of hair loss by having a wig ready and look around for some make up to handle any complexion problems.
Smokers should quit smoking cigarettes. Smoking can cause lung cancer, emphysema and even colon cancer. The smoke from tobacco can damage the colon. These facts just combine to provide all the more reason you should become tobacco free.
Go to appointments with any loved one diagnosed with cancer. You will be able to ask questions they had not thought of before and support them through this difficult experience.
Don’t neglect breast cancer testing because you’re afraid of the pain. The pain only lasts for a few brief moments. The end result could be catching cancer in time and saving your breasts and your life, so do not allow the fear of being uncomfortable deter you from getting a screening.
You’ll have to develop an intimate relationship of sorts with people you’d rather not get to know: medical personnel who are helping treat your cancer. There are many people who you will be around that will be able to help you and empathize with you. These people include chemo specialists, nurses and doctors. It is impossible to go it alone, so welcome these new people into your life with open arms.
The reality of your fight with cancer may be different from what you expected. Be thankful for the support others are giving you.
It’s important for you to speak up for yourself when you receive a cancer diagnosis – you must communicate with people. If you find yourself feeling cut off or not adequately supported by family members or friends, don’t be afraid to politely broach the subject with them. Let them know how and why they can assist you. Just be careful how you phrase your requests. This is a challenging and emotional time. You should always rely on love, rather than guilt to ask your friends and family for help. Don’t have any regrets!
Don’t take cancer lying down. Gathering your inner strength and refusing to let the difficulties of dealing with cancer get you down is the positive way to give yourself the best chance for survival.
Preventing Cancer
There is no evidence that alcohol itself is effective in preventing cancer. Wine is beneficial in preventing cancer only due to the grapes it contains. Actually, imbibing alcohol in large quantities makes you more susceptible to developing cancer.
If your doctor is not readily available to you, find another one. Cancer is unpredictable, and that means that questions will pop up. You should always be able to speak to someone about your concerns.
Help a loved one or friend who has cancer to find a network of support people to share their experiences with. Check with your local hospitals and clinics, as well as online, for support groups. This will help by giving your loved one a place where they can share their thoughts and feelings.
Make sure you have enough vitamin E in your daily diet. Vitamin E, consumed as recommended, has been proven to prevent cancer. Many foods contain significant amounts of Vitamin E and can easily be worked into your diet. Examples include sunflower and safflower oil, nuts, spinach, and avocado.
Skin Cancer
Before you spend time under the sun, it’s a good idea to cover your skin with either sunscreen or clothing in order to minimize your skin cancer risks. The sun’s ultraviolet rays can be harmful to the skin. If you get skin cancer, it can be fatal. It is suggested to use a waterproof sunscreen SPF30+ if you have light skin which is susceptible to sunburn.
Ask questions of medical professionals as you enter treatment. You should understand the why and wherefore of each treatment, and how it will affect your body. By being prepared for what is to come, you will be better able to cope with the changes. If you’re losing hair, speak to other patients about wigs and makeup to prepare just in case.
If at all possible avoid the strong sunlight from 10 in the morning until 3 PM. Get your outdoor play time in before those hours and you will seriously reduce the risk of skin damage that leads to cancer.
Cancer can happen to anyone at any time and in any part of their body. By reading this article, you’ve armed yourself against the disease, so put the advice you’ve read into practice, and keep cancer someone else’s problem!