One of the best ways to avoid getting cancer is to avoid doing things which may cause cancer. Two of the biggest offenders when it comes to causing cancer are smoking and tanning beds. Staying away from these two things gives you a much better chance at being cancer free.
If you are battling cancer, it can be helpful to join a support group for your type of cancer or cancer in general. Talking to others in your situation can help you feel less alone and give you a chance to make new friends. Mutual support can be very important on the journey to recovery.
Seek out other people who have been diagnosed with cancer. They understand your situation and many of the feelings that you are having. While your friends and family members are wonderful, it may be difficult to talk to them about certain aspects of your treatment. There are a variety of local support groups and forums that you can find online.
After finding out that you have cancer, it is best to keep an open contact with your doctor and those close to you, such as your family members and close friends. If you avoid talking to them about your situation and your feelings, you might begin to feel isolated.
Once you receive your cancer diagnosis, learn everything about your form of the disease and your course of treatment as you can. Write down questions before you visit the doctor and ask him. You can even bring a friend or family member along with you to help ensure that you remember what is being said.
Eating a balanced diet is a solid cancer-fighting tool to keep in your arsenal. Especially with colon cancer, diets that are high in fat and cholesterol have a direct correlation to cancer, so maintain balance in your diet to fight against this. High-fiber diets aid in the fight against cancer.
While battling cancer, try your best to maintain a normal lifestyle. The more normal your lifestyle is, the less chances you have of becoming stressed and facing anxiety. Stress and anxiety can make cancer sufferers lose sight of hope in their troubling time. If any adjustments must be made to maintain a normal life, then consider them.
The life you had before cancer may seem like a distant memory as the battle wages on, but always cling to your past to remind yourself of what you have to look forward to in the future. Keep old pictures and old videos around to remind yourself that cancer is not all there is in life for you. A positive view of the future is good for for your health.
There are many stigmas with cancer that still exist today. People will often wonder if cancer is contagious, if those with cancer can perform as well as someone without cancer, of if cancer patients will be offended at the very mention of the disease. Try to eliminate these stigmas among your friends and family if they arise.
Unfortunately, some people will contract cancer due to their genes, even if they lead a healthy, active lifestyle. You may want to consider undergoing some type of counseling if your DNA increases your risks of getting cancer. Being prepared for what’s possibly to come will help you deal with it when it arrives.
When you’re battling cancer, it’s important to try to sleep without the aid of medications and alcohol. Falling asleep naturally, and for a long time if possible, will help your body’s cells to regenerate and become healthier. When you’re tired, try to give into the sleep, rather than fight it.
Someone with cancer is going to want and need their time alone, so you have to know when to back off and to give a person some space. Having pride is important to everyone and sometimes, people do not want you to see them so vulnerable. Respect their request for privacy or you might be pushed away completely.
Maintain an honest approach when dealing with someone who has cancer. Your friend or family member may have to make difficult decisions about their future needs, and they need to know what to expect. It is also important to share as much information as possible with other family members, so they can begin dealing with their own emotions.
Depression has significant effects on your immune system and decreases your ability to fight disease. He or she may give up hope entirely.
One nasty downside to excessive soda consumption is that those drinks contain chemicals that can increase your risk of developing cancer. If you gain weight from carbs and foods rich in calories, your cancer will grow and spread to different parts of your body.
Be mindful of your exposure to BPA. This synthetic estrogen is often found in canned goods, water bottles and other items. Research has shown that BPA has the potential to cause cancer, so try to eat more frozen foods and look for water bottles that are labeled as BPA free.
Fresh air is definitely underrated but certainly helpful as you’re attempting to beat cancer. Enjoying the sunshine and the breeze can be very calm, relaxing and refreshing. And if you can walk around outside, you’re also receiving the added benefit of exercise. Get out in the open air if you are able.
As soon as you are diagnosed with cancer, you need to contact your insurance company to see what is covered and what isn’t. Treatment can be extremely expensive, so you will want to know what is covered and what is not. Once you have this information, you should sit down and discuss it with your doctor. You two can then come up with a treatment plan that will work for you and your budget.
Maintain an honest approach when dealing with someone who has cancer. Your friend or family member may have to make difficult decisions about their future needs, and they need to know what to expect. It is also important to share as much information as possible with other family members, so they can begin dealing with their own emotions.
If you wear makeup, use products that do not contain chemicals that have been linked to cancer. There are websites online that can help you look up your favorite products to see what they have in them. Avoid products that contain ingredients with “peg” or “eth” as part of their name.
It is not always easy to diagnose ovarian cancer. If you are having symptoms, make sure you go to a trusted physician. This is important in case they find out that you have cancer. They may perform a pelvic exam or a biopsy to see if there is anything suspicious.
There are online risk calculators that you can use to determine if you are at risk of getting breast cancer. They contain questionnaires that help women determine if they are in the high risk category for developing invasive breast cancer. These are not completely accurate but can give you an idea about whether it is something you should discuss with your doctor.
Try to avoid participating in any risky activities. Certain activities help cause infection, and this increases the likelihood of cancer. Therefore, you should make sure that you practice safe sex and you should avoid ever sharing needles with anyone.
Do not be afraid to get your mammogram. It should never be a painful experience for anyone. Schedule your appointment for the week following your monthly cycle. Your breast tissue is less sensitive at that time. Take some ibuprofen before the appointment to lessen any potential discomfort you may have.
Purchase mouthwash. Cancer treatment, including chemotherapy, will often cause you to form painful mouth ulcers. Mouthwash will help prevent these from occurring over time. Invest in a soft toothbrush as well, as regular tooth care can also impact the formation of mouth ulcers. These items will give you the added benefit of having fresh breath each day!
Perform self-exams on your skin regularly. This can be the surest way to detect small changes and fight skin cancer early. Exams can be done when you have just finished showering. You should check your body thoroughly, and look for any moles that have changed in shape or appearance.
It is important that females get a pap smear done at least once every two years. If you have a history of gynecological problems, you may want to have one every year. Pap smears detect cervical cancer and changes in their cervical cells, which if caught early, is very treatable.
Anticipate any physical change that your body may go through. You can do this by gaining knowledge about the type of cancer you have. Doing this will allow you to prepare ahead of time for anything that may come up, and will help you cope better when those changes start to occur.
Be sure to get plenty of rest if you are a cancer patient. Your body needs all of the energy that it can get. So, it is okay to give in to the fatigue that you are feeling. If you are having a hard time sleeping, talk to your doctor.
Look for makeup that has a good SPF rating. Many women are not going to leave the house without wearing makeup and you can make that very beneficial to your skin. If you take the time to find a good makeup that will protect your skin as it makes you look pretty, you will benefit a good bit.
If you have been diagnosed with cancer, it is essential that you do not give up on life. A great deal of research shows that people who continue living their life normally have a greater chance of beating the disease. Even if it doesn’t, it will allow you to enjoy your last years better.
As stated before, cancer is a common disease in today’s society. Our own environment contains cancer causing agents, known as carcinogens. Some activities, such as cigarette smoking, can expose people to more carcinogens, increasing the chances of getting cancer. If you remember the advice in this article, you can avoid cancer causing carcinogens.
