Dealing with a Cancer Diagnosis

A cancer diagnosis can be terrifying. The word itself, cancer, has the power to send a chill up your spine, conjuring all the grim tales you’ve ever heard of people whose lives were cut short by disease. Receiving such a diagnosis forces you to confront the fact that you now belong to a group whose membership you would never willingly join. A cancer diagnosis may confirm a long-held fear or come as a stunning blow. Either way, it is easy to feel overwhelmed, helpless, even despairing.

There is good news. Cancer treatment has come a long way since the War on Cancer was declared by President Nixon in 1971. In the last four decades, there have been dramatic advances in cancer treatments. More cancers can now be cured than ever before. And many other cancers can be managed long-term, allowing cancer patients many additional years of a good quality of life.

If you are diagnosed with cancer, you can improve your outcome based on the decisions you make after the diagnosis. There are many things you can do to optimize the likelihood of recovery and cure. But you must start by taking control of your health. So what should you do?

First, give yourself permission to fall apart, briefly. It is absolutely normal to feel panic and grief. You must come to terms with the loss of your health. You may be facing serious treatment, such as surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. You are likely to become a regular at the hospital. You may have to take time away from your job. Your finances may suffer. Your plans for the future are cancelled, or so it seems at first. So go ahead, and allow yourself to freak out – for a short while. Cry if you need to, and allow yourself an afternoon or even a full day of panic. But don’t overdo it. Sorrow and fear will not help you to beat your disease. Positive action, however, can help. So move on quickly, and understand that you are not powerless, and that there are many choices to make.

Start by getting informed. When you first received news of your diagnosis, you were very too likely too shocked to ask questions or to register all the medical terms you may have heard. Take a few days to quickly process any information you were given. Keep a notebook to write down any questions that occur to you. Find out more about your type of cancer. How is it diagnosed? How is it treated? What are the stages of cancer, and how are they determined? When will I find out what stage I have? What is the prognosis? Any of these questions can be answered online, particularly at a National Cancer Institute website. If you don’t have access to the Internet, most public libraries will have at least one comprehensive volume on cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Schedule a follow up appointment to discuss your diagnosis and treatment with your doctor. Take your questions with you and take notes while you speak with your doctor. There will be a great deal of information and it will be very difficult to remember everything that is discussed. If possible, take a friend or family member with you to act as a second set of ears. This person can take charge of your notes and make sure that every question gets asked. Your support person can also listen with an objective ear to discussion of treatment and prognosis, and may be able to add questions that don’t occur to you. Additionally, the emotional support of a close friend or relative is invaluable at such a stressful time.

Get a second opinion. A cancer diagnosis can be very serious and treatment options can range from mild to aggressive and invasive. Even if you thoroughly trust your doctor, it is a good idea to have a second point of view to confirm the diagnosis and recommended course of treatment. If your original doctor’s advice is supported, you will have increased confidence in your treatment. If you receive a different opinion as to diagnosis or treatment, you may need to ask more questions of your doctor until you feel satisfied that you can make the best choice about how to proceed.

If at all possible, try to obtain treatment at one of the National Cancer Institute’s designated Cancer Centers. The National Cancer Institute, or NCI, is at the forefront of cancer research and patient care. The NCI currently has 64 designated Cancer Centers located in 33 states and the District of Columbia. These Cancer Centers are selected for demonstrated excellence in the field of cancer research and treatment. Cancer Centers are staffed by leaders in the field of cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. They provide the latest technology and promising new therapies. Cancer Centers also conduct cutting-edge trials for new cancer treatments in which you may be eligible to participate.

The Cancer Centers are without question the best places to receive treatment. However, if you do not live close enough to a Cancer Center to get treatment there, at least strongly consider getting your second opinion from an NCI designated Cancer Center. You will feel greatly reassured if your doctor’s plans for your treatment are also recommended by a Cancer Center. Look at the National Cancer Institute website to find the designated Cancer Center nearest to you.

Consider adjuvant therapy. Many people have dealt with cancer and have been cured. Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are standard treatments for many types of cancer, but other things have been shown to be helpful too. There are many books and websites devoted to discussions of alternative cancer care. Friends may pass on tips relating to changes in diet or the addition of medicinal herbs, while others may swear by support groups. Ask your doctor if there are any alternative therapies that he recommends. Many doctors are now advocating alternative therapies in conjunction with standard treatments as the best approach to beating the disease. Be careful not to start any alternative therapy without your doctor’s knowledge, as you may adversely impact any standard treatment you are receiving.

Finally, listen to your body. Cancer is the ultimate wake-up call. It is an urgent signal sent to you by your body. The message is that something is broken, and is causing your body to behave differently at a cellular level. Your body is desperately signaling you to care for yourself. Do not ignore the call.

Your cancer may be the result of some obvious event, such as an exposure to asbestos in the workplace; or it may be the result of a combination of things, such as cigarette smoking, an unhealthy diet, unrelenting stress, or a toxic relationship. Take the time to examine what is going on in your life. This is your opportunity for healing. This is your time to change unhealthy habits and end unhealthy associations. Let go of negative feelings. A support group or individual counseling can be very helpful to achieve this kind of healing.

If you listen to the message your body is sending you, you have a chance to turn a cancer diagnosis into an opportunity to make positive changes in your life. Seize this opportunity. Use this time to break bad habits, or end bad relationships, and begin the process of healing.