{"id":628686,"date":"2024-06-24T18:46:17","date_gmt":"2024-06-24T22:46:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=628686"},"modified":"2024-10-25T09:53:51","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T13:53:51","slug":"navigating-a-cancer-diagnosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/navigating-a-cancer-diagnosis\/","title":{"rendered":"Navigating a cancer diagnosis"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you’re first diagnosed with cancer, you’re suddenly thrown into an unfamiliar world. You may need to work through intense emotions, physical changes, and the impact of your diagnosis on your relationships and your professional life. For almost everyone, this is a lot to manage.<\/span><\/p>\n

The more you know, the more in control you’ll feel. This guide will give you an overview of what it’s like to live with cancer. From managing the initial reactions after your diagnosis to understanding your treatment options and talking with your friends and family, we’ve covered all the basics about what the journey of a cancer diagnosis is like.<\/span><\/p>\n

Coping with a cancer diagnosis<\/b><\/h2>\n

Right after receiving a cancer diagnosis, you may have a range of different reactions—from denial to anger or anxiety. It generally takes some time to come to terms with what’s happened. However, with healthy coping mechanisms, you can start your cancer treatment journey with a positive mindset.<\/span><\/p>\n

Seek emotional support<\/b><\/h3>\n

A cancer diagnosis is challenging, but remember, you don’t have to go through it alone. Seek support from others. Some ways to do this include:<\/span><\/p>\n

Talking with friends and family<\/span><\/h4>\n

It’s common to worry you’ll be a burden on those around you. But don’t keep your concerns and challenges to yourself and try to deal with them alone. Remember your loved ones want to be there for you and hope that you’ll share your true feelings with them to allow them to support you. They’ll worry more about you if you don’t tell them what’s happening. Don’t be afraid to share everything (even the challenging parts) with those you’re close to. <\/span><\/p>\n

Joining support groups <\/span><\/h4>\n

While your friends and family are eager to support you, they may struggle to offer helpful advice since they often haven’t experienced something similar themselves. Talking with others who have navigated a cancer diagnosis can be helpful, as they can offer empathy, share valuable insights, and provide practical advice from their own experiences. <\/span><\/p>\n

Many local areas have cancer support groups where you can find this kind of support. Your treatment team can help connect you with local support groups, or you can find one online There are also online communities of people who have been diagnosed with cancer. Although virtual support isn’t quite the same as in-person, it still offers a chance to connect and receive advice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Considering therapy <\/span><\/h4>\n

A mental health professional (such as a therapist or counselor) may be valuable in managing the many complicated emotions you’re likely experiencing. You may already have a therapist whom you trust. If you don’t, consider seeking a mental health professional who specializes in supporting cancer patients. This specific type of therapist may have great advice to give you and be well-prepared to help you come to terms with your diagnosis in a healthy way.<\/span><\/p>\n

Practice self-care<\/b><\/h3>\n

As you come to terms with your diagnosis, it’s important to make sure you’re taking good care of yourself. The following are some ways to practice healthy self-care:   <\/span><\/p>\n

Get enough exercise <\/span><\/h4>\n

Although it may be hard with a cancer diagnosis, regular exercise is important for your mental and physical health. Even <\/span>walking at an average pace<\/span><\/a> for less than 20 minutes a day can reduce the risk of depression by 6%, while walking for more than 40 minutes a day can reduce it by 17%.<\/span><\/p>\n

There will be some days when exercise isn’t possible due to side effects from your treatment. However, try to do some physical activity on most days, even if this just means going for a walk around your neighborhood. This can make a huge difference to how you feel. Your goal should be at least 20 to 30 minutes of movement on most days.<\/span><\/p>\n

Focus on the present <\/span><\/h4>\n

During cancer treatment, it’s easy to focus on the future. However, this can lead to anxiety as you imagine worst-case scenarios. Practicing mindfulness can help counteract this tendency. Mindfulness involves paying close attention to whatever is happening right now. Try not to judge or to wish the situation were different—if it’s raining, notice what’s beautiful about the rain rather than wishing it were sunny. You can look for mindfulness classes in your local area or online to practice this skill.<\/span><\/p>\n

Have fun <\/span><\/h4>\n

When you’re caught up in the whirlwind of cancer treatment, it’s easy to take everything seriously. Don’t forget to enjoy your life. Having cancer doesn’t mean you need to give up doing the things you enjoy most. Those things become even more important because they’ll keep you in a positive frame of mind and reduce stress. Make sure to build fun into your life as often as possible while you’re going through treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Communicate your needs<\/b><\/h3>\n

It’s important to make sure you’re meeting all your needs, including physical and emotional ones. While self-care may help you meet many of your needs, you’ll also need to rely on others, including your treatment team, friends, and family. It’s important to let them know what you need. Some ways to communicate your needs may include the following:<\/span><\/p>\n

Be open and honest <\/span><\/h4>\n

Many people with cancer worry about becoming a burden, which could make them hold back from communicating their needs. The truth is your treatment team and support network won’t know what your needs are unless you tell them. The best way to help them support you is to communicate clearly. Don’t pretend to be fine when you’re not.<\/span><\/p>\n

Set boundaries<\/span><\/h4>\n

Your friends and family want to support you as much as they can, so they might sometimes visit too often. Let people know when you’re feeling overwhelmed and need a rest. If you need certain times to yourself—for example, if you’re too tired for visits after 8 p.m.— tell people ahead of time. You don’t want your close relationships to become a source of stress.<\/span><\/p>\n

Advocate for yourself <\/span><\/h4>\n

Although there are many systems in place to take care of cancer patients, you shouldn’t assume these systems will never miss anything. Cancer care is complex, meaning there may be times when something slips through the cracks. You may need to be your own advocate. This means speaking up when something in your care doesn’t seem quite right or if you feel something has been missed. You may also want to ask a trusted family member or close friend to keep track of your care.<\/span><\/p>\n

Discuss your values <\/span><\/h4>\n

Your treatment team needs to understand what’s important to you and what tradeoffs you’re willing to make as part of your cancer journey. Maybe you want to try all available treatment options, even if it only gives you a small chance at beating cancer. Or perhaps you don’t feel it’s worth giving up your quality of life when it will likely only give you a few more months. Unfortunately, this conversation often doesn’t happen until close to the end of life. It’s better to have this conversation with your treatment team as early in your cancer journey as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

Understanding your diagnosis<\/b><\/h2>\n

When you receive a cancer diagnosis, you’re suddenly thrown into an unfamiliar world. Almost everyone feels anxiety when facing the unknown. The more you understand what’s happening, the more in control you’ll feel and the less anxiety you’re likely to have.<\/span><\/p>\n

It’s important to recognize the role you play in your own cancer treatment. Your healthcare team may offer various treatment options, but ultimately the decisions lie with you. To make informed decisions, you’ll need to have at least a basic understanding of medical terminology and treatment options. This will empower you to make choices that align with your values.<\/span><\/p>\n

Understanding medical terms<\/b><\/h3>\n

As you begin to go through your cancer journey, you’ll encounter a lot of medical terminology. At times, it may feel like you’re learning an entirely new language.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some people give up reading their medical reports because the technical language feels intimidating. However, since you’re ultimately in charge of your treatment, it’s best if you understand the relevant terms.<\/span><\/p>\n

Start by asking your healthcare provider to explain things to you. You may want to bring along a printed copy of your report and take notes about what various terms mean. Beyond defining terms, your provider can help you understand what they mean in context, helping you see what they mean for your treatment specifically.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you still need to look up some words, start with the National Cancer Institute, which has a <\/span>glossary of over 9,000 cancer-related terms<\/span><\/a>. This is a great place to go when you’re having trouble interpreting your medical records.<\/span><\/p>\n

Staging and prognosis<\/b><\/h3>\n

The stage of cancer refers to how advanced it is. This will have an impact on your treatment options as well as your prognosis. The stage of your cancer is determined by a variety of different factors, including: <\/span><\/p>\n