Whenever people hear the word cancer, they are likely to feel fear. People who have not dealt with cancer themselves before have a hard time understanding what these words mean. Cancer is a sudden game-changer to your life, regardless of how treatable it is. In the following article, you’ll find suggestions on how to cope with those changes.

Eat as little sugar as possible. Sugar contributes to the growth rate of cancer cells. Cancer cells live on sugar, so removing sugar from your daily food intake has positive effects on starving cancer cells. By itself, this is not a sufficient treatment to beat cancer, but it can serve as a supplement to other therapies.

There is a better chance of beating cancer if it’s detected early. Always have your tests and screenings as recommended. This tests can detect presence of any cancer cells, which usually show up before cancer’s symptoms show up. For cancers like breast cancer and testicle cancer, you can perform self-exams to determine if there are any unusual masses that should be shown to your doctor.

Getting too much sun can lead to skin cancer, which is among the most prevalent cancers. Be sure to use sunscreen and wear a sun hat to protect yourself from the rays of the sun.

Be aware of certain changes that may take place as you undergo cancer therapy. Either your doctor or nurse can describe the side effects of the drugs and radiation treatment you will receive. Consider cosmetic accessories to help you maintain your appearance, despite the cancer. For example, if you’re concerned about losing your hair, you can get some wigs.

Never underestimate the power of the simple gift of listening to a friend or loved one with cancer. It can be quite difficult at times, but they need a chance to express their frustrations and feelings in a safe and loving environment. For the best results, focus on being a good listener rather than trying to solve their problems or give your own interpretations.

Regular physical exercise can decrease your risk of developing colon cancer by as much as 40%. Those who regularly exercise are usually in better shape and are able to maintain a more healthy body weight than others. Therefore, they can usually avoid diseases that encourage cancer, such as diabetes. Do what you can to keep your activity level up.

You should attend any appointments with your loved ones if they have cancer. Having a person in the room with a clearer head is great for asking any questions and addressing concerns you might have for the doctor.

Do not let cancer frighten you. Since you’re fighting to live, you need to be in the best possible position to win.

It is important that you participate in treatment, rather than believing that it is entirely up to the doctors. Your participation will support your recovery. Don’t settle for sitting on the sidelines. This will not help you to get better.

Prevent Cancer

Do not be fooled into believing that alcohol in any way helps to prevent cancer. The only reason that wine helps fight and prevent cancer is due to the grapes. Consuming a lot of alcohol actually puts you at a much higher risk of getting cancer.

If your backyard features a deck or wooden play set that was built prior to 2005, seal it. Most of the wood that these items were built with had an arsenic pesticide put on them; sealing the structure can help prevent you or your children from being exposed to a potentially cancer-causing chemical.

If you find that the medication or treatment you are receiving for cancer is causing stomach complications, the problem might be because of coffee. Stop drinking it. Caffeine can worsen an already upset stomach, so avoid it. Other foods and drinks with caffeine should be eliminated also, such as chocolates and caffeinated soft drinks.

When you go outside, wear covering clothes and sunscreen to defend yourself against the sun’s UV rays. The ultraviolet rays in the sun can be harsh, and melanomas (skin cancer) can quickly be fatal if left untreated. Many experts recommend using a product with an SPF rating of 30 or higher, especially if your skin is fair.

Before you begin treatment, ask questions so that you fully understand the physical changes you will undergo. You will make the changes easier if you are prepared. If hair loss is starting to affect you, talk with other individuals about treatment options so that you are more fully prepared.

If at all possible avoid the strong sunlight from 10 in the morning until 3 PM. Plan your outdoor activities around those hours to decrease your chances of getting skin damage, which makes you more susceptible to skin cancer.

Look into complementary therapies that could very well support conventional medical therapies and help you transition into your post cancer lifestyle. You might want to try receiving a massage or acupuncture. Attending a yoga class or trying aromatherapy can also significantly reduce your stress. Anything that helps alleviate stress and makes you feel relaxed will be of benefit to you.

Alcohol is not healthy at all, and it shouldn’t be consumed when thinking about cancer and avoiding it. The more alcohol you drink, the more you are at risk of developing certain cancers. This includes throat, esophagus, and mouth cancer. It is acceptable to drink alcohol, but only if you do so in moderation.

One of the simplest, yet most effective support techniques you can apply in helping a loved one go through their cancer is to repeatedly tell them that you love them frequently. Sometimes when you are caring for someone with cancer you forget just how powerful those three little words are. This assures them that things aren’t as bad as they seem.

Regardless of your situation, you can always do a few things to make your daily life easier with certain resources, and help from others. Hopefully, the tips laid out here have lightened the load you carry, as well as provided direction on approaching your cancer fight with knowledge, power and a renewed, emboldened spirit.