While there are many things you can do to reduce your chances of getting cancer, unfortunately, it is still the reality for millions of people around the globe. Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming and upsetting, and come with a whirlwind of different thoughts. You must seek support after your diagnosis, so you can learn how to manage your new journey, and continue to live your life. If you are not sure where to begin, here are some top tips to help you seek the right support.
Get a professional opinion
A professional opinion is the best thing to do when you receive your initial diagnosis, or you are worried that you are showing signs of cancer. A professional opinion will make sure you get the correct diagnosis and advice that is tailored to your situation. When you know what type of cancer you have, you can find a specialist who will be able to support you through your journey and provide you with the best treatment available. Always do some research to find the best doctors for your cancer diagnosis, as this will give you a better outcome. They will have extensive knowledge of the type of cancer that you have been diagnosed with, what stage you are at, and create a treatment plan that is best suited to your circumstances. They will advise you of the best treatments available, and the side effects, and help you make better-informed decisions about your care, and how to manage your symptoms.
Be honest
You must remain open and honest about what’s going on, with your loved ones and medical professionals and keep the lines of communication open. You will feel much better and people will be able to support you in the right way, if you don’t try to put on a strong front or hide bad news from people. It can be difficult at first, but facing your reality will get you closer to getting better.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle, whether you had one before your diagnosis or not, is going to be vital to how you feel moving forward. Eating a healthy diet filled with essential vitamins and nutrients will significantly help your mood, energy levels, and sleeping patterns, which will help you manage your diagnosis and treatment much better. These are all important factors that can significantly impact the way that you feel every day and can cope with stress. If you feel up to it, and your medical professional has approved it, you may decide to participate in regular exercise. This is a great way to keep your body healthy, make you feel better and stronger, and help you to live longer. A healthy lifestyle is an important way that you can maintain control of this new journey you are embarking on, and help increase your chances of recovery. It can also serve as a great escape and a way to deal with the stress and emotions you are inevitably going to experience.
Go to support groups
While you should keep your friends and family members close and confide in them, it can be especially helpful to seek out a support group in your local area. A support group is filled with people who are in the same boat as you and are going through the same things. This can be a great way to come to terms with your new diagnosis, learn about others’ experiences with their diagnosis to help you, share your feelings and experiences that might be too difficult to share with friends, and feel comfortable and supported in an environment filled with like-minded people who understand what you are going through. This can help combat loneliness and poor mental health, and reduce stress.
Try to live your life as normal
You must try to live your life as normal as possible. You should balance this with making adjustments where necessary, that are going to make your life easier and more accessible. But for the most part, you should take it a day at a time, and stick to your habits and routines. This will help you cope better and stay strong during stressful times. If you drop your normal lifestyle, this can lead to feelings of stress and uncertainty, as humans are creatures of habit. Your normal habits can help you feel in control, and reduce overwhelm.
The key to supporting yourself when receiving a diagnosis, is honesty, support and lifestyle choices. If you can make positive choices, you are going to significantly improve the way you cope with your new diagnosis.