No one chooses to have cancer. But once you have it, you can choose how you will face it. Look for opportunities to apply the information from this article as you battle cancer.
Try to get your friend or family member to someone that they are able to talk to about their condition. The Internet is full of information and you can find local support groups or someone you can talk to. Doing so will help them find others who can relate to the emotions specific to a cancer diagnosis.
Smokers need to be very aware that quitting cigarettes not only protects against lung cancer and emphysema, but also against colon cancer. Tobacco can single-handedly boost the size of polyps found in colons, and the carcinogens in cigarette smoke is easily absorbed by the colon as well. These reasons are just more on top of the hundreds of other reasons to stop smoking.
To the extent possible, try to live a normal life. Do things one at a time, and make sure you are willing to make changes. It can become quite stressful to plan for the future when you don't know what lies ahead. It is less draining to just live in the present day as much as you can.
Don't fear fighting your disease! This is not the time to back down and roll over, you need to stand up to cancer and fight back with everything that you have.
You may need to consider giving up your coffee if your cancer fighting regimen is causing diarrhea. It helps you feel more awake, but it is also adding to the diarrhea you are trying to fight. Refrain from consuming any caffeinated drinks or foods to reduce the severity of diarrhea.
You should consider ridding your diet of coffee if your cancer treatments bother your stomach. Caffeine can cause discomfort and stomach problems in cancer patients, so maybe it's time to switch to decaf. Other foods and drinks such as soda, tea, and chocolate have caffeine as well, so try avoiding these to help with your stomach problems.
Most fresh fruits and veggies bought from the store may have contamination. These foods are often covered with pesticides intended to protect them from bacteria, fungi and insects. Before you eat fruits and vegetables you bought at the store, get rid of these pesticides using a mild soap and plenty of water. Alternatively, focus your fruit purchases on products that tend to have less pesticide exposure.
Eat three meals daily. Cancer treatments are notorious for causing loss of appetite, but you must eat regularly. Otherwise, the medicines may not be safe and effective. If you are experiencing nausea, then focus on starch-heavy meals. Vegetables and fruits can also help.
Certain clothing does not protect your skin against dangerous UV rays. Look online, or in local stores, for protective clothing that you like.
If you expose your skin to the sun, you risk contracting skin cancer. When spending time outdoors in the sun, apply liberal amounts of sunscreen, and shield your face from the sun by wearing a hat.
Always listen to the signs your body gives you. Take a generous break if you feel tired. When you feel tired, you may need to change up your diet. You should react to what your body is telling you, and then make the necessary changes to accommodate how you are feeling.
Rid yourself of sugary sodas and similar beverages, as they hold the possibility of boosting your cancer risk. Excess pounds are caused by high levels of calories, as well as simple carbs, and this unnecessary weight is breeding ground for potential tumors.
One of the many benefits of regular physical activity is the reduced risk of colon cancer. If you exercise on a regular basis, your body is healthier and more likely to fight off any disease. In addition, obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes and other diseases which weaken the body, and make it more prone to cancer. Try to stay active.
If your cancer treatment protocol is making your stomach upset, you may need to stop drinking coffee. Caffeine can worsen an already upset stomach, so avoid it. You should also steer clear of soda and chocolates, as they contain caffeine as well.
Maintaining and improving a healthy lifestyle is a good support system when you first learn of a cancer diagnosis. From eating a more nutritious diet, working out, and getting all the sleep you need, you should do all you can to be healthy. Staying healthy is the best way to help your body to fight the cancer, and once you beat it you will be better prepared to bounce back.
Prior to treatment, ask questions about the physical changes that you can expect. This prepared mindset will help you to deal with the side effects of your treatments. If you're losing hair, speak to other patients about wigs and makeup to prepare just in case.
Some foods can reduce the risk of developing certain cancers. For example, tomatoes can protect against prostate cancer. There is a wealth of research that suggests the cancer fighting properties of certain foods.
You must remember to continue to have fun. A cancer diagnosis will have a big impact on your life, but let it change the basics of what you enjoy. Do the things you love, from reading your favorite genre of book, to going out to the movies or viewing a sporting event. You may have to do some extra planning so that exertion doesn't get the best of you, but you do still need to have a life.
If a loved one receives a diagnosis of cancer, make yourself available to them. When someone has been diagnosed with this frightening disease, they have a great need to be heard. Try not to inject your own thoughts or opinions on them; allow them to just vent their own feelings without interruption.
Depression can affect your physical health and weaken your immune system, allowing the cancer cells to multiply at an increased rate. They might not even try to fight back.
The word cancer can put fear in anyone's mind. Keep these tips in mind so that you can prevent, treat, or support yourself or someone you know with cancer.
