how do i prepare for cancer treatment?

• Buy food that doesn’t require lots of preparation or cook meals in advance and freeze them before your treatment. This will help make the healing process easier and more relaxing.
• It’s also important to keep hydrated during your treatment. Water is best, but drinking soda or even broth is better than nothing. ...
• Speak to your oncologist or cancer specialist before you implement a diet change, especially if you have experienced weight loss.

Full Answer

How can I prepare for a cancer diagnosis?

There’s no preparing for a cancer diagnosis. But when it comes to treatment, you can get yourself ready for what’s ahead. Even taking small steps can improve your sense of well-being and control, experts say. Here are some things to do before your chemotherapy or radiation treatment begins.

How can I prepare for chemotherapy and radiation treatment?

Make lifestyle changes. Chemotherapy and radiation treatment can take months, and may require dramatic lifestyle adjustments. You may need to take time off from work if the treatment will temporarily incapacitate you or require you to relax.

How can I Manage my cancer on a daily basis?

Choose a healthy diet consisting of a variety of foods and get adequate rest in order to help you manage the stress and fatigue of the cancer and its treatment. Exercise and participating in enjoyable activities also may help.

How do I make cancer treatment decisions?

Step 1: Set your ground rules. Before exploring treatment options, establish some ground rules. You'll be more comfortable with any cancer treatment decisions you make if you: Decide how much you want to know. While most people want to know exactly what their treatment is and their survival chances, others don't.

What should I do before cancer?

5 Things You Should Do Before Cancer TreatmentAsk your doctor what the best and worst case scenarios are. Whether you're facing chemotherapy, radiation or surgery, you need to know what to expect. ... Educate yourself. ... Be proactive. ... Follow up. ... Reach out for support.

What should I do the night before chemo?

Try to stay as healthy as you can before and during treatment. Eat a nourishing food, drink lots of water, get enough sleep, and balance rest and physical activity. Good nutrition and regular exercise can help reduce some of the side effects of chemotherapy.

How do you stay strong during cancer treatment?

Here's some of the best advice I've gleaned about staying positive during my cancer treatment:You are your best advocate. ... Take good notes. ... Focus on the things you can control. ... Don't confine your conversations to health topics. ... Appreciate your loved ones. ... Develop a good support network. ... Never give up.

What should I pack for cancer treatment?

7 must-haves to pack in your chemo bagHealthy snacks and water. ... Books/tablet or magazines. ... Your phone, laptop or iPad. ... Journal/notebook or coloring book/sketchpad. ... Games, puzzles and crafts. ... Comfort items. ... Relaxation tools.

What should you not do during chemotherapy?

9 things to avoid during chemotherapy treatmentContact with body fluids after treatment. ... Overextending yourself. ... Infections. ... Large meals. ... Raw or undercooked foods. ... Hard, acidic, or spicy foods. ... Frequent or heavy alcohol consumption. ... Smoking.More items...•

Do and don'ts during chemotherapy?

Take care not to get infections for up to one year or more after your chemotherapy. Practice safe eating and drinking during cancer treatment. DO NOT eat or drink anything that may be undercooked or spoiled. Make sure your water is safe.

How many days after chemo do you feel better?

Most people say it takes 6 to 12 months after they finish chemotherapy before they truly feel like themselves again.

How many rounds of chemo is normal?

During a course of treatment, you usually have around 4 to 8 cycles of treatment. A cycle is the time between one round of treatment until the start of the next. After each round of treatment you have a break, to allow your body to recover.

What are the best foods to eat while on chemotherapy?

10 Foods to Eat During ChemotherapyOatmeal. Oatmeal provides numerous nutrients that can help your body during chemo. ... Avocado. ... Eggs. ... Broth. ... Almonds and other nuts. ... Pumpkin seeds. ... Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables. ... Homemade smoothies.More items...•

What should I take my first day of chemo?

Still, for first time patients, knowing what to do — and what to bring — for your first chemo appointment can be daunting....Items To Bring To ChemotherapyA loved one. “Bring somebody,” Ruiz says. ... Snacks. ... Hard candy. ... Lip balm. ... Laptop, iPad or iPhone. ... Knitting. ... Pillow and blanket. ... Reading materials.More items...•

How do I prepare my home for chemo?

Stay healthy and strong.Take it easy.Don't compare your body to how it was before chemotherapy.Drink lots of water.Go for a walk every day, if possible.Try to eat something. ... Read the provided handouts regarding chemotherapy and its side effects.Try acupuncture to help alleviate pain and nausea.More items...•

What do you say on the first day of chemo?

If you're struggling to find the right words, here are 12 kind things to say to someone with cancer:“I'm here for you.” ... “You are in my thoughts and prayers.” ... “I'm so sorry you're going through this.” ... “Let me help you with…” ... Tell a Joke. ... “How are you doing?” ... “Any time you need to talk, I'll listen.”More items...•

Can you have one set of exercise guidelines for cancer?

It is not possible to have one set of exercise guidelines to cover everyone with cancer. How much physical activity you can do and at what level differs from person to person.

Does being overweight cause cancer?

Being very overweight or obese in the long term is also linked to 12 types of cancer.

How to make a reasonable treatment decision?

To make a reasonable treatment decision, keep in mind the type of cancer you have, its stage, what treatment options are available and how likely these treatments are to work under these circumstances. Talk to your doctor about trustworthy websites, books and patient education materials to supplement your discussions.

How to make sure you're getting the information you need to make an informed decision?

Effective communication with your doctor is the best way to make sure you're getting the information you need to make an informed decision. To make communicating with your doctor easier, try to: Speak up when you don't understand. If you need further explanation or clarification, tell your doctor.

What to do if you don't feel supported?

If you don't feel supported in your decision-making, contact advocacy groups such as the American Cancer Society, which can put you in touch with cancer survivors who may be able to help you through this process. It might help to write down your expectations and preferences before you meet with your doctor.

Can you cure cancer?

When you're first diagnosed, it's likely you'll be interested in treatments that cure cancer. When a cure is possible, you may be willing to endure more short-term side effects in return for the chance at a cure. Ask your doctor about your chances for a cure to help you understand more about your situation. Control.

Plan for What You Can

No matter what your treatment is, you won’t feel your best during recovery. So think about what you might need and plan ahead.

Tap Into Your Network

Have friends and family help you figure out what you need -- and what you don’t. (For example, maybe you don’t need lots of extra food in your fridge.)

Take a Close Look at Your Place

Once you get home, you might need to recover in a certain area, like your living room or bedroom. Think about what is where.

Practice Healthy Habits

Take note of your mental and physical health. In the days or weeks before your treatment, make sure to eat healthy and exercise if you can. Improve your mental health with meditation, yoga, or talking to a therapist. How you feel going into treatment can affect how you feel while it’s underway.

Expect Changes in Your Appearance

Chemo and radiation may cause hair loss, weight loss, or skin rashes as side effects. Prepare yourself for these possibilities. “You don’t want to be blindsided,” Griffith says.

How to help your family after chemotherapy?

Loved ones can help by cooking and freezing meals for your family ahead of time, volunteering to baby-sit, running errands, or just lending a hand around the house. 5. Learn how to handle waste. In the 48 hours after treatment, small amounts of chemotherapy drugs will leave your body through urine, vomit, and other body fluids.

How to get tired after chemo?

You might just want to go home and take a nap or relax. You may feel very tired the day after a session as well. 4. Arrange for help with meals and child care.

What to do if you have a sore mouth during chemo?

Mouth sores are a common side effect, so it's smart to get dental work or cleanings before you start your sessions. You should also ask about good oral care during chemo, like brushing with a soft toothbrush and using an alcohol-free mouth rinse. 7. Stock up on healthy groceries.

Can you wear a wig before chemo?

You might lose your hair, so think about whether you'll want to wear a wig, a hat, or a scarf until it grows back. If you shop for a wig before you start treatments, you'll have more energy. Plus you'll be able to better match your hair's natural color and texture. You can also cut your hair short before chemo starts.

Can you get pregnant while on chemo?

You or your partner should not get pregnant while you're having treatment, since chemotherapy drugs can damage sperm and cause birth defects. The drugs can also stay in semen and vaginal fluids, so even if you take birth control pills, you should use condoms.

Can you schedule chemotherapy time off?

Some people schedule chemotherapy around their work hours, Many others find that they need time off both for the treatment appointments and in the days or weeks after. Know your options and your rights. The law requires many companies to give their employees time off for chemotherapy.

Why do we need a cancer treatment plan?

A cancer treatment plan is kind of like a roadmap because it helps to lay out the expected path of treatment. It is a document that is created by the cancer care team and given to the patient and others that may need to know the planned course of care.

How is cancer treatment planned and scheduled?

How Treatment Is Planned and Scheduled. To plan and schedule cancer care and treatments, a lot of information must first be collected. This information often needs to be shared with different specialists , as well as with patients and their caregivers, to help decide what treatment option is best. Once a treatment is decided on, care can be ...

How important is communication in cancer care?

It can be a very involved process. Although treatment and care decisions are mostly made by patients and their cancer care teams, communication with others is very important. Sometimes, though, patients and caregivers might find themselves being the ones having to do most of the communicating.

What to do if you don't get a treatment plan?

If you don't get a written treatment plan, you can ask for a treatment schedule to be written out for you. A treatment schedule includes: The type of treatment that will be given, such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, etc.

What to do if your treatment center does not give you a treatment plan?

Even if your treatment center does not use treatment plans or does not give you one, you can ask for as much information in writing as possible. This will help you remember what's been told to you, which can be hard to do when you're given a lot of information at once. Either way, having things in writing is helpful.

What is treatment planning?

Treatment planning involves figuring out the exact doses of the treatment that will be given and how long it will last.

What tests are done to determine the stage of cancer?

Your exact cancer diagnosis and stage. Special test results, such as imaging (x-rays), blood tests, tumor marker tests, genetic testing, or biomarker tests done on the tumor. Your planned treatment, its doses, the schedule for getting it, and how long it is expected to be given.

How to get rid of cancer?

Maintain a healthy lifestyle. This can improve your energy level. Choose a healthy diet consisting of a variety of foods and get adequat e rest in order to help you manage the stress and fatigue of the cancer and its treatment. Exercise and participating in enjoyable activities also may help.

How to communicate with your loved ones after cancer?

Maintain honest, two-way communication with your loved ones, doctors and others after your cancer diagnosis. You may feel particularly isolated if people try to protect you from bad news or if you try to put up a strong front. If you and others express emotions honestly, you can all gain strength from each other.

What to expect after cancer diagnosis?

After your cancer diagnosis, you may feel anxious, afraid or overwhelmed and wonder how you can cope during the days ahead.

Why is accepting help important?

Accepting help gives those who care about you a sense of making a contribution at a difficult time. Also encourage your family to accept help if it's needed. A cancer diagnosis affects the entire family and adds stress, especially to the primary caregivers.

Can you talk to someone who has cancer?

Sometimes it will feel as if people who haven't experienced a cancer diagnosis can't fully understand how you're feeling. It may help to talk to people who have been in your situation. Other cancer survivors can share their experiences and give you insight into what you can expect during treatment.

How often should you check for radiation?

During your treatment, your radiation oncologist will check how well it is working. Typically, this will happen at least once a week. If needed, they may adjust your treatment plan.

What to expect when getting radiation therapy?

What to Expect When Having Radiation Therapy. It is normal to feel worried or overwhelmed when you learn that you will need radiation therapy. However, learning more about this type of cancer treatment may help you feel more prepared and comfortable.

What type of doctor is responsible for radiation therapy?

Radiation oncologist. This type of doctor specializes in giving radiation therapy to treat cancer. A radiation oncologist oversees radiation therapy treatments. They work closely with other team members to develop the treatment plan. Radiation oncology nurse.

How long does radiation therapy last?

It is the most common radiation therapy treatment for cancer. Each session is quick, lasting about 15 minutes. Radiation does not hurt, sting, or burn when it enters the body.

Why is it important to be in the same position for radiation?

It is important for your body to be in the same position for each treatment. Your radiation oncology team cares about your comfort. Talk with the team to find a comfortable position that you can be in every time you come in for radiation therapy.

What is informed consent for radiation?

Giving permission for radiation therapy. If you choose to receive radiation therapy, your health care team will ask you to sign an "informed consent" form. Signing the document means: Your team gave you information about your treatment options. You choose to have radiation therapy.

Can you be nauseated from radiation?

But some may experience weakness or nausea from the anesthesia. You will need to take precautions to protect others from radiation exposure. Your radiation therapy team will provide these instructions. The need for such precautions ends when: The permanent implant loses it radioactivity. The temporary implant is removed.