Cancer can be one of the most frightening of medical diagnoses. Treatments are tough and their effectiveness is far from guaranteed. Worst of all, the fight against cancer is always a long, drawn-out battle. Cancer treatment is a long journey. This article shares some suggestions for staying on the journey and ameliorating the potential stresses waiting along the way.
Detecting cancer at the earliest possible stage is key when it comes to beating cancer. Schedule regular appointments to detect different kinds of cancer before you notice any symptoms. When possible, it’s also good to give yourself a self-examination, such as a breast or testes exam, to see if anything seems abnormal.
One way to reduce your risk of cancer is to get immunized. Hepatitis B and HPV (human papillomavirus) can both lead to cancer. The Hep B vaccine is routinely given to infants, but is also recommended for adults who are considered at risk, such as people with multiple sexual partners or who are regularly exposed to blood.
There are several cancers that are related to tobacco and alcohol use. Among them are cancers of the lungs, liver, mouth and throat. As you can see, there is a significant risk involved when people choose to smoke and drink alcohol to excess. You can decrease your risk of many types of cancer by not smoking, chewing tobacco and drinking alcohol.
Don’t change your life drastically. It may be better if you try to maintain your lifestyle as it was while introducing necessary modifications. A big change can increase your stress level and confuse the people around you. Take every day at a time and make changes to your life as is needed.
One of the most critical things you can do to cope with your cancer diagnosis is taking the time to think about your goals and what you want from life. Participate in activities that you enjoy; they will make you feel happy and hopeful. Spend time with the people you love and don’t waste your energy on other things.
Simple moral support can help someone with cancer is indescribable ways. Something like a simple “I love you” said to someone can have a lasting positive effect that helps people to heal and grow. Emotions play a big role in the fight against cancer, and reminding someone of your love for them is good for everyone involved.
Always consider that a doctor you like, might not be the right doctor to help you beat your cancer. Sometimes, you have to go the extra mile and seek out a specialist in the field with more expertise than your current oncologist may have. It’s all about getting better and experts can help make this happen.
Finding peace is important when you are battling cancer. Being at peace with yourself is about more than accepting the fact that you may not make it; it’s about cherishing what you have and what you may be leaving behind. Finding peace is actually how most people find the strength to keep fighting.
Try to tone down the amount of time you spend in the sun. People underestimate the amount of risk involved with excessive sun exposure. Spending increased time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer. Make sure to use a high SPF sunscreen, cover unprotected skin and cover your head with a hat.
Drink pomegranate juice on a regular basis. Have at least 16 ounces a day for it to be effective. Pomegranate juice has a great deal of anti-cancer agents including polyphenols, isoflavones and ellagic acid. Several studies have shown a significant decrease in cancer risk and some studies even imply that it can slow cancer down.
When you are first diagnosed with cancer, you should immediately make an appointment with your dentist. When making your appointment, inform the receptionist of your diagnosis so they can get you in quickly. Treatment can sometimes affect your oral health. Therefore, before starting any treatment plan it is necessary to have a dental cleaning and any necessary dental work done.
When a family member has cancer, try not to be overly solicitous. Treat them as you normally do. Cancer patients do not need pity, but they do need positive support to maintain the energy they need to cope.
For cancer patients in an extreme amount of pain, you may want to consider acupuncture. One of the many positive results of acupuncture is that it helps to ease pain. There are even certain insurance companies who will cover acupuncture, if it is being used to manage pain from cancer.
Improving your immune system is going to help your body be able to protect itself against a number of different things. This includes cancer, diseases, and other conditions. Boosting your immune system is going to better prepare your body to fight off any cancer cells that are in your body.
An ultrasound, MRI and a CA125 blood test are some more ways of diagnosing ovarian cancer. An ultrasound or MRI are excellent ways of getting “pictures” of your ovaries to check for any questionable masses or tumors. CA125 is a protein found on the surface of ovarian cancer cells as well as on some healthy tissue. Not only is the CA125 test a great tool for diagnosis, but it is also used after treatment to see if any cancer cells have returned.
If someone you love is suffering from cancer, you should help him or her to get his or her mind off of it as often as possible. Take them to do something they love and be fully invested in it even if it is not something that you enjoy doing. It can be a difficult road to travel but if they know they are supported, fighting cancer may be a bit easier for them.
Beating cancer is never easy, but many people do beat it. Self-education can be a potent addition to the arsenal of weapons available against cancer. The information in this article is just a tiny fraction of all the helpful advice available. Learning more cannot hurt and in a life-or-death struggle, a little good advice may just be enough to tip the scales against cancer.
