People with cancer are living longer and better than ever. Everyone deals with cancer differently. What is important to you may change based on your experiences. You may appreciate your life, family, and friends more. But you also may need to adapt to the changes that cancer causes. Some of the changes, such as hair loss, are temporary. Others, like the loss of a breast or other organ, are permanent.
Getting back to normal can be a challenge. Allow yourself time to adjust. A positive attitude and a strong, fighting spirit can help you cope. You may come back stronger than ever. But you may not be able to do everything you did before cancer. If you notice changes in your ability to function, talk to your doctor about them.
You may be afraid that your cancer will return. But a healthy diet, regular exercise, and an end to unhealthy habits like smoking can improve your health.
Studies seem to show that daily aspirin use helps prevent some types of cancer, such as colon cancer. But daily aspirin use increases the risk of bleeding inside your body, such as in the stomach. The evidence isn't strong enough yet to convince experts that the benefits outweigh the risks.
It's best to talk to your doctor so that you understand the possible benefits as well as the possible risks. Your doctor might recommend a daily aspirin to help prevent cancer if:
Waiting for a test result that could change your life may be one of the hardest things about cancer treatment.
Most doctors, labs, and hospitals are busy, and you may not want to bother them. But medical tests can provide information that's important to your future. And you have a right to know your results.
Here are some tips for following up on tests.
There are things you can do at home to help manage the symptoms of cancer and the side effects of treatment. Talk to your doctor about ways to care for yourself at home. Healthy habits such as eating right and getting enough sleep and exercise can help.
Everyone who goes through cancer has a time of adjustment afterward. This is part of your recovery, and it may take longer than you expect.
It may be hard to make sense of how cancer has affected you. Be patient with yourself. Remember that there's no right or wrong way to feel.
Cancer changes families. Some of your relationships may be different now too. You may have grown closer to some people and feel disappointed in others.
You might have a party to mark the end of your treatment. Or you may want some time alone to think about what you've been through.
Cancer may continue to affect the way you think and feel. If you need help, think about counseling or connecting with a cancer survivor group.
Here are some questions that people with cancer often ask. You may have other questions that are important to you.
It's a good idea to write down the questions you want to ask and take the list to your doctor visits. And it can help to have a friend or family member there to listen, take notes, and support you.
Some people use complementary therapies along with medical treatment. They may help relieve the symptoms and stress of cancer or the side effects of cancer treatment. Therapies that may be helpful include:
Talk with your doctor about any of these options you would like to try. And let your doctor know if you are already using any complementary therapies. They are not meant to take the place of standard medical treatment. But they may help you feel better and cope better with treatment.
Where to get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
If you or someone you know talks about suicide, self-harm, a mental health crisis, a substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, get help right away. You can:
Consider saving these numbers in your phone.
Go to 988lifeline.org for more information or to chat online.
The stage describes how much cancer is in the body, where it is, and how far it has spread. The grade compares tumor cells to healthy cells. Knowing the stage and grade of a cancer helps doctors know what treatment to use. It also helps predict how long the person will survive.
The TNM method is based on the size of the tumor (T), the spread of the cancer into nearby lymph nodes (N), and the spread of the cancer to other body parts (M, for metastasis).
To describe the overall stage of a cancer, doctors may use stages 0 through IV. Stage 0 means the cancer hasn't spread. Stage IV means it has spread (metastasized).
A tumor's grade describes how its cells look. Tumors are generally graded from 1 to 4. A lower number means more normal-looking cells and a lower likelihood that the cancer will spread quickly.
Eating well during cancer treatment is very important. It can help you deal with nausea and vomiting. It can help you feel better, keep up your strength and energy, and maintain your weight. And it can also help you fight infection and recover as quickly as possible.
Here are some tips for eating well during cancer treatment.
You may feel better if you have something in your stomach.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
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Adjusting to life after cancer
Everyone who goes through cancer has a time of adjustment afterward. This is part of your recovery, and it may take longer than you expect. These tips may help.
Surviving cancer is something to celebrate. But many people find that the time after treatment is different than they expected. It may be hard to make sense of how cancer has affected you.
This is a time of adjustment, taking care of yourself, and finding your new "normal." Be patient with yourself, and remember that there's no right or wrong way to feel.
Cancer changes families. It can create closer bonds, but it also can bring out difficult emotions. Here are some things you can do to help your family adjust.
Some other relationships may be different now too. You may have new friends because of cancer. You may have grown closer to some of the people in your life. Or maybe you feel disappointed in people you thought you could count on.
Cancer isn't something you'll ever forget, but it's important to look to the future. You might have a party to mark the end of your treatment. A ritual or celebration can help you put this phase of your life behind you. Or you may want some time alone to think about what you've been through and how to move forward.
Even though your treatment is over, cancer may continue to affect the way you think and feel. You may worry about the cancer coming back or feel stressed about medical bills. You may feel lonely after the people in your support network go back to their regular routines. You may wish that you could leave it all behind. These feelings are normal. Everyone has their own reactions after cancer.
Think about getting help during this stage of your recovery. Your doctor can help you find counselors and support groups.