Having cancer and going through treatment raises many challenges and emotions. These may be harder to deal with when you live alone. Even if you're used to being independent, absorbing information about your cancer, managing day-to-day and dealing with emotions can be overwhelming or frightening.
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Do cancer patients really need more treatment?
Oct 29, 2020 · Learning to communicate behind a mask, without touch, has been hideous. It’s hard to describe how difficult it is to tell someone their …
Should I talk to my doctor about my cancer diagnosis journey?
Apr 30, 2019 · This is important because cancer treatment poses many risks for individuals, not the least of which are treatment-related side effects and long-term effects. In addition, we know that some cancers, such as prostate cancer, may not cause a person any serious harm or even shorten their lives if they are left untreated.
Are all cancer diagnosis journeys straightforward?
Apr 01, 2015 · A major program is the NCI Community Oncology Research Program, a national network of investigators, cancer care providers, and academic institutions that brings cancer clinical trials in cancer control, prevention, screening, as well as treatment and cancer care delivery research, to individuals in their own communities.
How can WebMD help me after a cancer diagnosis?
Some of the best foods to eat during chemotherapy or other cancer treatments are plant-based proteins. They offer the highest levels of vitamins and minerals, Rajagopal says. This means eating lots of vegetables as well as beans, legumes, nuts and seeds. If you do eat animal proteins, choose lean options like chicken or fish.
Can you go through cancer treatment alone?
Yes. It will take some extra planning and working out who can support you but it's possible to continue living alone when you have cancer. Having cancer and going through treatment raises many challenges and emotions.
Can you live through cancer without treatment?
By the time the cancer has reached the attention of doctors, unaided recovery is highly unlikely: overall, just one in 100,000 cancer patients are thought to shed the disease without treatment. Within those scant reports, though, there are some truly incredible stories.Mar 6, 2015
Why is diagnosing cancer important?
Benefits of Early Diagnosis Early detection, screening, and diagnosis have been proven to significantly improve patient survival rates and quality of life, as well as to significantly reduce the cost and complexity of cancer treatment.Feb 4, 2019
How do you deal with cancer alone?
Facing Cancer AloneFacing Cancer Alone. ... Handling these things is hard, even when you have caregivers or family there to support you, and going through it by yourself is even more challenging. ... Call on your friends.Talk to a social worker.Make a transportation schedule.Find support groups.Prioritize your mental health.More items...•Jun 25, 2020
What happens if you have cancer and don't treat it?
The bottom line. Cancer can kill when tumors affect the function of major organs. Life threatening complications can also occur due to malnutrition, a weakened immune system, and lack of oxygen. Cancer treatments can prevent some of these complications, as well as disease progression.Dec 17, 2020
What happens if you refuse treatment for cancer?
Treatment decision making is an ongoing process; thus, patients who initially refuse treatment may later choose to undergo conventional cancer treatment if given the adequate support, information, and time necessary to make the decision.
Why is early treatment important?
Early intervention services can change a child's developmental path and improve outcomes for children, families, and communities. Help your child, help your family! Families benefit from early intervention by being able to better meet their children's needs from an early age and throughout their lives.
Why do cancer treatments usually use two or three treatments and not just one?
The rationale for combination therapy is to use drugs that work by different mechanisms, thereby decreasing the likelihood that resistant cancer cells will develop. When drugs with different effects are combined, each drug can be used at its optimal dose, without intolerable side effects.
What is the treatment for cancer called?
The most common treatments are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Other options include targeted therapy, immunotherapy, laser, hormonal therapy, and others. Here is an overview of the different treatments for cancer and how they work.Oct 28, 2021
What happens after a cancer diagnosis?
After a cancer diagnosis, some aspects of your life may feel very different, but other things may seem similar. You may still go to work as usual, but you may feel more tired or emotionally drained than before.Oct 16, 2020
Do cancer patients want to be alone?
People with cancer often talk about how they need alone time. Some WhatNexters need time to cry, regroup, or process their journey. As a loved one of someone with cancer it may be confusing to figure out why they want to be left alone or why they seem to be pulling away.Jan 29, 2014
How does cancer affect someone emotionally?
A cancer diagnosis can affect the emotional health of patients, families, and caregivers. Common feelings during this life-changing experience include anxiety, distress, and depression. Roles at home, school, and work can be affected. It's important to recognize these changes and get help when needed.
Why is it important to hear the word "cancer"?
This is important because cancer treatment poses many risks for individuals, not the least of which are treatment-related side effects and long-term effects.
Why do people with slow growing tumors feel the need to act?
This is because the word “cancer” makes the diagnosis feel urgent, and it is hard to feel like one is "doing nothing.".
Can prostate cancer cause shortening of life?
In addition, we know that some cancers, such as prostate cancer, may not cause a person any serious harm or even shorten their lives if they are left untreated. The researchers in this study presented an imaginary scenario to volunteers using a web-based survey.
Can cancer be treated?
The researchers found that using the "cancer" label led many people to choose surgery. This tells us that the perceptions and fears associated with a cancer diagnosis may lead reasonable people to opt for more treatment, even if they are reassu red that it is possible to watch and wait and that they may never need treatment.
What are some ways to reduce the risk of cancer?
Some of the actions that people can take to lower their risk of getting cancer (do not use tobacco, eat a healthy diet, be physically active, and keep a healthy weight) have wide-ranging health benefits, while other interventions are more specific to cancer and require us to identify who is at risk.
What is the division of cancer prevention?
The Division of Cancer Prevention is devoted to cancer prevention through support for individual researchers and collaborative research teams and networks. A major program is the NCI Community Oncology Research Program, a national network of investigators, cancer care providers, and academic institutions that brings cancer clinical trials in cancer ...
Does aspirin help with cancer?
Other new approaches underway include repurposing commonly used drugs such as aspirin to study their effectiveness in cancer prevention. Finally, it is equally important to identify interventions that do not work or are harmful, such as an NCI-supported study that found that Vitamin E increased the risk of prostate cancer.
Do preventive interventions work?
Preventive interventions must not only work , but also not cause more harm than good. Excessive testing and procedures could inadvertently make people worse off. We must develop strong enough evidence that an intervention provides a net benefit for a healthy person before putting large numbers of people in harm’s way.
Can a mammogram detect cancer?
Some screening tests are able to find a cancer early enough to intervene and prevent the cancer from becoming life-threatening. We know that the appropriate use of Pap tests, mammograms, and colon cancer screening tests has helped to reduce death rates from cervical, breast, and colon cancers in the United States.
How does cancer treatment affect your diet?
Treatments such as chemotherapy and some forms of radiation therapy can cause a variety of side effects, including:
Why is your diet important during cancer treatment?
Since cancer treatment can lead to fluctuations in appetite and body weight, it’s important to pay close attention to your diet. In addition to helping you maintain a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet during chemotherapy or radiation therapy can:
Should you take supplements during cancer treatment?
If you’re not eating as much as usual during treatment, or if you have side effects like vomiting and diarrhea that cause you to lose vitamins and nutrients, you might consider taking a multivitamin.
How can your diet help manage cancer treatment side effects?
Some dietary changes can help you manage side effects after your treatment begins. These side effects include:
What foods should you avoid during cancer treatment?
Be aware of what’s going into your body during cancer treatment. Read nutrition labels and prepare as much of your own food as you can. It’s best to stay away from highly refined, processed food. You should also avoid fried foods that contain a lot of hydrogenated oils, which can increase inflammation.
Planning your cancer treatment diet
Registered dietitians have specialized training in the nutritional needs of people with specific diseases. Your dietitian can help you plan meals that give you the right number of calories and nutrients.
How to help someone who has cancer?
Seek support and turn to loved ones or other cancer survivors. Ask for help from counselors or other professionals. Turn to their faith to help them cope. Whatever you decide, it's important to do what's right for you and not to compare yourself with others.
How to talk to people with cancer?
Look for emotional support in different ways. It could help you to talk to other people who have cancer or to join a support group. Or, you may feel better talking only to a close friend or family member, or counselor, or a member of your faith or spiritual community. Do what feels right for you.
How does cancer affect your body?
Just as cancer affects your physical health, it can bring up a wide range of feelings you’re not used to dealing with. It can also make existing feelings seem more intense. They may change daily, hourly, or even minute to minute. This is true whether you’re currently in treatment, done with treatment, or a friend or family member.
What does it feel like to be in control of cancer?
People use medical terms that you don't understand. You feel like you can't do the things you enjoy. You feel helpless and lonely. Even if you feel out of control, there are ways you can take charge. It may help to learn as much as you can about your cancer. The more you know, the more in control you'll feel.
How to keep your body from healing?
Stress can keep your body from healing as well as it should. If you're worried about your stress, ask your doctor to suggest a counselor for you to talk to. You could also take a class that teaches ways to deal with stress. The key is to find ways to control your stress and not to let it control you.
What do people see cancer as?
Some people see their cancer as a "wake-up call." They realize the importance of enjoying the little things in life. They go places they've never been. They finish projects they had started but put aside. They spend more time with friends and family. They mend broken relationships.
How to focus on other things besides cancer?
Getting out of the house and doing something can help you focus on other things besides cancer and the worries it brings. Exercise or gentle yoga and stretching can help too.
How long can you live with lung cancer?
Almost 9 in 10 of lung cancer patients will survive their disease for at least a year if diagnosed at the earliest stage. This falls to around 1 in 5 people when lung cancer is diagnosed at the most advanced stage.
How long does ovarian cancer last?
More than 9 in 10 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer at its earliest stage survive their disease for at least 5 years. This falls to just over 1 in 10 women when ovarian cancer is diagnosed at the most advanced stage.
How to deal with cancer?
Stress. Cancer is stressful. It affects all aspects of life — professional, social, familial, financial — so it’s no wonder that stress and anxiety play a big part in dealing with cancer.
Why is it important to have a positive attitude after cancer treatment?
There are many that believe a positive attitude is an important element of recovery and that patients respond better to treatment if they have an optimistic outlook. Gratitude. Following treatment, many cancer survivors feel gratitude and that their illness has positively changed their outlook on life.
What emotions do cancer patients feel?
According to the National Cancer Institute, these are some of the common emotions a cancer patient may experience: Overwhelmed. Dealing with a cancer diagnosis can leave many patients feeling very overwhelmed. Worrying about their future and how cancer will affect their loved ones coupled with an information overload from their health care team can ...
What is breast cancer news?
Breast Cancer News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Can cancer patients be sad?
Sadness can affect a cancer patient at any time. The treatment is tough and they may feel sad that they’re no longer able to do the things they love because of the side effects. Even when patients are given the all-clear, they may still be sad or depressed about some of the things they missed while they were sick.
Is cancer an unfair disease?
Cancer is an unfair disease that nobody deserves. Understandably, patients and loved ones may feel angry that this is happening. The anger may be directed towards themselves, their family members or a religious figure as they work through the initial shock.
Is it normal to be scared of cancer?
Fear. Fear is a perfectly normal response to a cancer diagnosis. Patients are often afraid of dying, afraid of how the treatment will affect them, and of how their diagnosis will affect their loved ones. In addition, they may also worry about money and if they’ll be able to take care of their family.
What happens when you die from cancer?
The most frequent outcome when cancer patients die is that whatever pain they have is controlled with narcotics and or sedatives. There often comes a point in poorly treatable cancer situations that the treatment is as bad or worse than the disease.
Why do people decline chemotherapy?
Many patients decline chemotherapy for low odds of benefit especially if they have gotten very weak or have other symptoms that make their quality of life very poor. This question originally appeared on Quora - the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world.
Can cancer be treated with radiation?
Cancers metastatic to bone are often painful but in some cases the discomfort is mild or more severe pain can be relieved with radiation therapy. There are specialists who assist in managing ...
Is pancreatic cancer bad for you?
Some cancers are more associated with pain than others. Pancreatic cancer can be particularly bad when it grows into nerves near the back of the pancreas. But I’ve had many patients with pancreatic cancer where pain wasn’t a problem. Instead, like many other patients with advanced cancers, they became weaker and more frail as their cancer worsened, ...
How to come to terms with a scary diagnosis?
How you come to terms with a scary diagnosis is a very personal decision. Choosing whom to tell and lean on for support is a significant part of the process, and there's no right or wrong way to do it. "You choose -- the amount of information you'll tell, and who you want to be with you," Gruman says.
How long does it take to diagnose a serious illness?
Often, additional tests or even surgery is required to fully understand the extent of an illness and related health problems. It may take weeks or even months to determine the proper or complete course of treatment.
