Cancer: it's a diagnosis we all dread. Finding out that you have cancer can be very distressing, as very few of us are equipped to deal with such major news. We've already discussed the most common forms of cancer and their symptoms and treatments in our detailed guide to cancer. Today, we'll be focusing on what happens after diagnosis and sharing practical tips to help anybody coping with cancer.
Above all else, it is important to acknowledge that all of these feelings are perfectly natural and acceptable. Feelings of shock or denial after your diagnosis will usually get easier to deal with over time. However, feelings of fear, sadness, or loneliness may persist or become harder to handle. If this is the case, there is plenty of help available.
What Is Cancer?
Cancer is a medical condition that affects millions of people in the UK every year. Macmillan Cancer Support estimates that, by 2030, 4 million people in the UK will be living with cancer. Cancer happens when cells in a certain part of the body begin to divide and multiply too much. The rapid growth of these cancerous cells is what causes tumours to form. In some cases, cancer cells can break away from the original site and spread elsewhere in the body.
Coping With Cancer - After Diagnosis
Overall, nearly 1000 people in the UK receive a cancer diagnosis every day. Even if you have been suspecting it for a while, it is never easy to learn that you have cancer. However, outcomes for cancer patients are better than ever before, due to developments in medical technology and increasing knowledge. Regardless, there will be lots of different emotions to contend with after your diagnosis. You might feel anxious, sad, angry, confused, or any number of other things. On the other hand, some cancer patients have reported feeling relieved after their diagnoses, because they may have been waiting a long time to find out what was wrong.
Above all else, it is important to acknowledge that all of these feelings are perfectly natural and acceptable. Feelings of shock or denial after your diagnosis will usually get easier to deal with over time. However, feelings of fear, sadness, or loneliness may persist or become harder to handle. If this is the case, there is plenty of help available.
Emotional Support
Your GP can refer you to dedicated services for support with mental health and emotional wellbeing. Generally, talking to the people around you can help you cope with negative feelings. These conversations might be uncomfortable or difficult to start. You might want to talk to people you are very close to, or you might prefer to talk to someone you don't know very well like a doctor, nurse, psychologist, or counsellor. Furthermore, there are several support services you can call for advice, or simply to speak to somebody who will listen. We've put together a brief list of phone numbers below:- Macmillan Cancer Support - 0808 808 00 00
- Cancer Research UK - 0808 800 4040
- Marie Curie - 0800 090 2309
How To Tell People About Your Diagnosis
First and foremost, remember that you are in control of who you tell about your diagnosis as well as how and when you tell them. Take as much time as you need to process your own emotions until you feel ready to open up to others. Some professionals recommend making a list of the people you want to tell, putting them in order from those who will be most affected to least affected. Remember that you can share this news in whatever way feels most appropriate for you, whether that's face-to-face, over the phone, or in a letter or email. Whoever you choose to tell, it might help to build up to the subject gradually and give them information one piece at a time. This will allow you both to digest what you're saying and acknowledge how you're both responding. You might find it helpful to prepare for a wide range of possible responses from your loved ones. Some people will react to the news with an outpouring of emotion while others will ask lots of questions that you might not have the answers to yet. Some people might even say nothing at all, possibly out of denial or fear of saying the wrong thing. By all means, take a break if you need to. These conversations will inevitably be difficult, and it's always okay to tell someone that you need some time.Coping With Cancer - During Treatment
Side Effects
The side effects of cancer treatment will vary from patient to patient, depending on the treatment they receive. Different drugs can cause different physical, emotional, and psychological side effects, so it's important to discuss your treatment in detail with your doctor. There are often ways they can help you to reduce or manage your side effects. Common side effects include:- Hair loss or thinning
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Changes in appetite
Emotional Support
Next, let's discuss how to deal with the different emotions you might experience as you go through treatment for cancer. Remember that no two people will have exactly the same responses to treatment. Anxiety - you might feel particularly anxious when you go to the hospital for treatment or check ups. Bringing a loved one with you can help keep you calm. You can also talk to your doctor to get help with anxiety. This help might take the form of talking therapy, counselling, or medication. Sadness - many people with cancer report that they feel pressure to hide their sadness, but it is totally normal to feel sad about your illness. However, if you are feeling sad all the time and struggling to feel good about anything, you might be experiencing depression. In this case, you should speak to your doctor in order to get the support you need. Relationship worries - you might worry about the potential toll of your cancer treatment on your relationships with friends and family. Communication is key. Try to make time with your loved ones to talk about how each of you is feeling. Everyone involved can take comfort from being listened to, even if you don't have answers to all of the questions.Practical Concerns
Money
Coping with cancer treatment can be difficult for several practical reasons alongside the physical and emotional obstacles. Cancer treatment might impact your ability to work, so your income could be affected. Financial support is available for people with cancer, but most people need advice on where to find it and what benefits they might qualify for. You can speak to Citizens Advice or Jobcentre Plus advisers for help with benefits and government support.Help At Home
You can access nursing services for medical help at home. A district nurse can visit your home to give medicines or injections among many other important services. Marie Curie nurses can also visit your home to help if you have advanced cancer. This can give your carer(s) a break, which can help to prevent strain on your relationships.Social Services
You can choose to refer yourself to your local social services if you would like. A social worker can check that you are receiving all the benefits you are eligible for, look for charity grants you might be entitled to, and arrange any home help you might need while you are coping with cancer. You can contact them yourself or ask your GP to refer you.Coping With Cancer - After Treatment
You might undergo treatment for a course of weeks or months. At the end of this course of treatment, you will usually have lots of check-ups to make sure everything is going well. Generally speaking, you will have follow-up appointments every few months for the first year after your treatment. Then, as time goes by, you will have fewer check-ups. When you go back to hospital for these appointments, you might be reminded of the difficult times you have been through. Feelings of fear or anxiety might return before your appointments. However, these check-ups are often reassuring for lots of people.Making the Most Of Follow-Up Appointments
Once you have finished your course of treatment, you will likely be eager to move on with your life and put your illness behind you. At the same time, it is very important to make the most of your follow-up appointments. Here are some tips, courtesy of Macmillan Cancer Support:- Write down your main questions before your appointment. You can also write down the answers when you are there, if it helps you remember them.
- Take someone with you for support and to help remember what was said.
- Always let your doctor or nurse know about any ongoing or new symptoms, or other health worries. Be open and honest with your doctors and nurses. They need information from you to give you the best care.
- Tell them how you are coping with your emotions. They can give you advice or direct you to the right place for support.
- Let them know about any prescribed or non-prescribed medicines you are taking. This includes vitamins, minerals, or herbal or complementary therapies. Occasionally, these can interfere with other drugs, including some anti-cancer treatments.