Cancer can be fatal, that we know, but knowing how cancer and it’s treatment can affect your body isn’t as widely understood. As with most medical conditions, the more that you know about cancer, the better prepared you are to cope with its effects. This article is a helpful resource for living with cancer.
Cancer Cells
Did you know that consuming large amounts of sugar can actually make your cancer grow more quickly? Cancer cells thrive on sugar, so eliminating sugar from your diet can effectively starve cancer cells. Do not expect to battle cancer with small changes like these. You will have to transform your lifestyle and work hard.
For patients and families, cancer can easily be a very draining experience. There is always hope. Doctors can treat cancer, and in some cases, even cure it.
Skin cancer is the most common kind of cancer that can be easily prevented. Try to wear hats to shield your face from the sun, and be sure to always use sunscreen in order to help prevent getting cancer.
Cancer is still thought of in old-fashioned terms by many people. Some people are under the impression that cancer is infectious, or that a person has to give up working. Be as open and honest as possible.
When it is necessary you should speak up. A lot of folks hold antiquated notions regarding your cancer, and might be suspicious of your abilities to function or even be contagious. Consider how you will respond to these questions in advance and address them immediately. This may help you to retain control of how others interact with you during treatment.
If you know a person who has had a cancer diagnosis, make the effort to hear them out. It may be challenging for you, but remember that the person diagnosed with cancer has the need to release their emotions. Try to listen without interjecting your ideas or opinions. Let your loved one have this time to simply release some of the difficult thoughts and sentiments he or she is struggling to deal with at this challenging time.
Smokers need to be very aware that quitting cigarettes not only protects against lung cancer and emphysema, but also against colon cancer. The carcinogens produced by smoking can reach the colon and cause polyps to grow. These are just a few more reasons that giving up smoking altogether is a good idea.
During the treatment process, you should offer to accompany a cancer patient to his or her doctor appointments. Sometimes, your presence will help your loved one open up about concerns, or they can turn to you for clarification.
Do not fear the small level of discomfort if you are due to be screened for breast cancer. The discomfort is very temporary, usually lasting only a few minutes. Don’t let the fear or discomfort of a screening sway you from something that can spare you your breasts and even your life.
What you expect to have happen, and what actually happens, are two different things. Be conscious of and grateful for the support that you do receive.
Being a full participant in your treatment program, as opposed to just letting doctors treat you, maximizes your chance of recovery. Always stay involved in the situation. Doing this won’t help you make a recovery.
If one of your relatives has cancer, find a support group for him. There are many support groups that can be found both online and offline. You may find an individual eager to lend face-to-face support. This lets the patient get their emotions out in another way.
Anyone with cancer should consider joining a support group for those with cancer. You can talk to others about how it feels to deal with cancer on both physical and mental levels. Family members should also attend as they too will be impacted by your cancer diagnosis.
It is best to take an honest and open approach when telling your family about your cancer diagnosis. If you are too stoic about the whole process, your friends and family might not be able to provide the support you need when you need it most. Open lines of communication build sound bonds that are healthy and beneficial to all involved.
Before your treatment begins, make sure that you have a good understanding of how your body may change. You will make the changes easier if you are prepared. If you are receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment, ask other patients how they dealt with hair loss so you can be prepared ahead of time.
One of the best ways to beat cancer is to avoid things that are known to cause it. Avoiding excessive hours under the sun, and sunscreening your body when you do go out, is the best remedy to skin cancer.
Make time for fun. You don’t have to (and shouldn’t) completely change your lifestyle just because you have cancer. Be sure to do what you love, whether watching sports, reading books, or seeing movies. Plan these events when you are well rested so that you can get out there, and you won’t feel as though life is passing you by.
Alcohol can increase your chances of getting several different types of cancer. Some cancers are directly related to alcohol consumption. These types include cancer of the esophagus, throat and mouth. If you don’t want to eliminate alcohol altogether, at least limit your drinking and keep tabs on yourself to ensure you don’t overindulge.
It can be quite helpful to stop drinking coffee when you experience diarrhea as a side effect of cancer treatments. While caffeine has the ability to keep you awake, it can also make diarrhea a lot worse. Along these lines, it is wise to discontinue use of all types of caffeine while in treatment to eliminate your diarrhea.
As was stated in the beginning of this article, knowing the health effects of cancer is really a matter of being informed. If you know the ways to minimize your risk by improving your health, you may increase your chances to eliminate cancer from your life. Use the advice presented here to improve your odds for beating cancer.