A diagnosis of cancer can be very difficult. It is important to have the support and the information you need so that you can make decisions about treatments that are right for you. To learn more about what to expect in your care, think about asking the following questions to your doctor or any member of the health care team (for example, your nurse or social worker). Please keep in mind that every person treated for cancer is different. Your own circumstances will guide the decisions that you and your doctors make. You may find it helpful to keep a journal where you can write down your questions and keep a record of the discussions you have with your health care team. You may also want to bring a relative or a friend when you meet with the doctor or health care team.
Learning that you have cancer is a difficult experience. After your cancer diagnosis, you may feel anxious, afraid or overwhelmed and wonder how you can cope during the days ahead. Here are few suggestions for coping with a cancer diagnosis.
Try to obtain as much basic, useful information about your cancer diagnosis as you need in order to make decisions about your care.
Write down your questions and concerns beforehand and bring them with you. Consider asking:
◉ What kind of cancer do I have?
◉ Where is the cancer?
◉ Has it spread?
◉ Can my cancer be treated?
◉ What is the chance that my cancer can be cured?
◉ What other tests or procedures do I need?
◉ What are my treatment options?
◉ How will the treatment benefit me?
◉ What can I expect during treatment?
◉ What are the side effects of the treatment?
◉ When should I call the doctor?
◉ What can I do to prevent my cancer from recurring?
◉ How likely are my children or other family members to get cancer?
Consider bringing a family member or friend with you to your first few doctor appointments to help you remember what you hear.
You might also want to consider how much you want to know about your cancer. Some people want all the facts and details, so they can be very involved in the decision-making process. Others prefer to learn the basics and leave details and decisions to their doctors. Think about which approach works best for you. Let your health care team know what you’d prefer.
❐ Keep the lines of communication open
Maintain honest, two-way communication with your loved ones, doctors and others after your cancer diagnosis. You may feel particularly isolated if people try to protect you from bad news or if you try to put up a strong front. If you and others express emotions honestly, you can all gain strength from each other.
❐ Anticipate possible physical changes
Now — after your cancer diagnosis and before you begin treatment — is the best time to plan for changes. Prepare yourself now so that you’ll be better able to cope later.
Ask your doctor what changes you should anticipate. If drugs will cause hair loss, advice from image experts about clothing, makeup, wigs and hairpieces may help you feel more comfortable and attractive. Insurance often helps pay for wigs, prostheses and other adaptive devices.
Members of cancer support groups may be particularly helpful in this area and can provide tips that have helped them and others.
Also consider how treatment will impact your daily activities. Ask your doctor whether you can expect to continue your normal routine. You may need to spend time in the hospital or have frequent medical appointments. If your treatment will require a leave of absence from your normal duties, make arrangements for this.
This can improve your energy level. Choose a healthy diet consisting of a variety of foods and get adequate rest in order to help you manage the stress and fatigue of the cancer and its treatment.
Exercise and participating in enjoyable activities also may help. Recent data suggest that people who maintain some physical exercise during treatment not only cope better but also may live longer.
Often friends and family can run errands, provide transportation, prepare meals and help you with household chores. Learn to accept their help. Accepting help gives those who care about you a sense of making a contribution at a difficult time.
Also encourage your family to accept help if it’s needed. A cancer diagnosis affects the entire family and adds stress, especially to the primary caregivers. Accepting help with meals or chores from neighbors or friends can go a long way in preventing caregiver burnout.
Determine what’s really important in your life. Find time for the activities that are most important to you and give you the most meaning.
If needed, try to find a new openness with loved ones. Share your thoughts and feelings with them. Cancer affects all of your relationships. Communication can help reduce the anxiety and fear that cancer can cause.
Maintain your normal lifestyle, but be open to modifying it as necessary. Take one day at a time. It’s easy to overlook this simple strategy during stressful times. When the future is uncertain, organizing and planning may suddenly seem overwhelming.
Many unexpected financial burdens can arise as a result of a cancer diagnosis. Your treatment may require time away from work or an extended time away from home. Consider the additional costs of medications, medical devices, traveling for treatment and parking fees at the hospital.
Many clinics and hospitals keep lists of resources to help you financially during and after your cancer treatment. Talk with your health care team about your options.
Questions to ask include:
◉ Will I have to take time away from work?
◉ Will my friends and family need to take time away from work to be with me?
◉ Will my insurance pay for these treatments?
◉ Will my insurance cover the cost of medications?
◉ How much will my out-of-pocket costs be?
◉ If insurance won’t pay for my treatment, are there assistance programs that can help?
◉ Do I qualify for disability benefits?
◉ How does my diagnosis affect my life insurance?
Sometimes it will feel as if people who haven’t experienced a cancer diagnosis can’t fully understand how you’re feeling. It may help to talk to people who have been in your situation. Other cancer survivors can share their experiences and give your insight into what you can expect during treatment.
You may have a friend or family member who has had cancer. Or you can connect with other cancer survivors through support groups. Ask your doctor about support groups in your area or contact your local chapter of the American Cancer Society. Online message boards also bring cancer survivors together. Start with the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Survivors Network.
There are several imaging techniques. These include X rays, CT scans, MRI scans of various parts of the body.
X-rays are the most common imaging techniques and they may be made more specific by using a Barious enema. This is used for detection of stomach and small intestinal growths and cancers.
Mammogram is an X-ray of the breasts used to screen for and/or detect breast lumps and growths.
A CAT scan (computerized axial tomography) uses radiographic beams to create detailed computerized pictures. It is more precise than a standard X-ray.
An Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses a powerful magnetic field to create detailed computer images of the body’s soft tissue, large blood vessels and major organs. Both CT scan and MRI can also be used with contrast radio-labelled dyes to obtain a more clear and specific picture of the cancer.
An Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to determine if a suspicious lump is solid or fluid. These sound waves are transmitted into the body and converted into a computerized image.
Bone scan is specifically used to identify and locate new areas of cancer spread to the bone. Normally a Positron imaging test (PET scan) is used. A Gallium scan is another nuclear medicine test in which a special camera takes pictures of tissues of the body after a special radioactive tracer is injected into a vein. The cancerous areas light up under the scanner.
Some old stigmas associated with cancer still exist. Your friends may wonder if your cancer is contagious. Co-workers may doubt you’re healthy enough to do your job, and some may withdraw for fear of saying the wrong thing. Many people will have questions and concerns.
Determine how you’ll deal with others’ behaviors toward you. By and large, others will take their cues from you. Remind friends that even if cancer has been a frightening part of your life, it shouldn’t make them afraid to be around you.
These methods for diagnosis consist of study of cells shed off into body cavities and study of cell by putting a fine needle introduced under vacuum into the lesion(fine needle aspiration cytology FNAC).
Just as each person’s cancer treatment is individualized, so is the coping strategy. Ideas to try:
◉ Practice relaxation techniques.
◉ Share your feelings honestly with family, friends, a spiritual adviser or a counselor.
◉ Keep a journal to help organize your thoughts.
◉ When faced with a difficult decision, list the pros and cons for each choice.
◉ Find a source of spiritual support.
◉ Set aside time to be alone.
◉ Remain involved with work and leisure activities as much as you can.
What comforted you through rough times before your cancer diagnosis is likely to help ease your worries now, whether that’s a close friend, religious leader or a favorite activity that recharges you. Turn to these comforts now, but also be open to trying new coping strategies.
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