Cancer is a word that causes people to shiver. It's a word that evokes emotions of fear, anxiety, and anger. But it doesn't have to be this way!
There is still hope for those living with this chronic illness. Below is how you can take control of your cancer journey and live a happy life.
Check Out Various Treatment Options
Some people choose to seek treatment as soon as they're diagnosed with cancer. Others, however, want to wait and see how the disease develops before pursuing a specific course of action.
If you have an advanced form of cancer or one that is aggressive from the start, it may be vital for you to begin exploring your options right away. While at it, you may want to consider hifu treatment if you have prostate cancer.
But if your diagnosis is more subtle and it's not clear what you're dealing with, waiting for a few months can be helpful. This way, doctors will have time to run some tests and determine the best course of action based on your unique circumstances.
Don't Blame Yourself
It's natural to feel guilty when diagnosed with cancer, even if there's nothing you could do to prevent it. If your loved one has died of the disease, this feeling may be especially strong because you feel their death was your fault.
Don't blame yourself. Maybe things happen for a reason, and maybe they don't, but blaming yourself isn't going to change anything now, so move on. Don't give up, you are not alone in this fight. Everyone has moments where they feel like giving up, but the only way to win is through determination and persistence, so don't let cancer hold you down anymore!
Let Family and Friends Help You
It can be hard to ask for help when you are going through cancer treatment. Cancer is an emotional roller coaster. It takes a severe toll on bodies, so taking care of yourself becomes difficult with the added stress of daily life outside of doctor appointments.
Let family members take over some responsibilities around your home or find ways to give back to your family. If you have children, find a way to help take care of the housework while you are going through treatment. Even if they can't get everything done, let them know how much it means to you that they want to pitch in and help out around the house.
Plan Your Finances
A diagnosis of cancer comes with a lot of expenses, not only medical ones. It's essential to take these into account when you make your budget or financial plans. Some costs may be lower than expected, while others are higher.
For example, suppose the person diagnosed with cancer doesn't have good health insurance coverage and is in a country without free health care. In that case, it could mean that they will need to cover all their medication and treatment bills, which can add up quickly, adding on top of any other necessary treatments like radiation therapy or surgical procedures. This means that you should start looking for ways to save money wherever possible.
Nutrition & Lifestyle Factors
Vitamin C - eat foods rich in vitamin c as this helps the production of white blood cells and healthy diet is important for our immune system.
Veggies – there’s a reason why we should eat a lot of vegetables, they are natures’ way of providing our immune system with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytochemicals
Purple foods – if you struggle to eat enough veg throw in some purple foods such as, beetroot, blackberries, aubergine as these contain a powerful group of antioxidants – anthocyanins
Laughing is perhaps the best medicine! Laughing releases feel-good hormones such as dopamine and relaxes our body helping to reduce stress which supports our immune system!
Exercise - Exercise has immune boosting benefits, active muscle tissue is more beneficial to the body as it has excellent immunoregulatory benefits.
Gut health – 70% of our immune system is within our gut (GI Tract) even though our immune system is inside our body it interacts with bacteria outside of our body – certain cells in the lining of the gut spend their lives creating antibodies to excrete into the gut to protect us!
Stress
Stress is very damaging to the immune system and our health in general, obviously it is impossible to say not to worry, but do try to add in 'time for you' to switch off and naturally boost relaxation.
Conclusion
No hope is lost. It can be hard to deal with cancer, but there are many things you can do to help yourself feel better and get through this difficult time. Use the above tips to guide you.
Louise Mercieca
Nutritional Therapist
Personal Trainer
Early Years Nutrition Consultant
Award-winning Author
Food & Health Writer
Presenter on Early Years TV Food
Keynote speaker
www.thehealthkick.co.uk