Cancer is a tough call for anyone, whether it’s you who is suffering, or a member of your family or a good friend. Cancer is no respecter of people. If it comes, you need to be able to deal with the disease for yourself, or support someone else, and you need to understand what can happen as treatment is administered over a period of time.
Treatment for cancer has advanced significantly over the last decade or so. When diagnosed early, there can be very good survival rates, and remission can also last for many more years than in the past.
Constant research means that oncologists have much more information about how to deal with cancers, but if it’s you who is suffering, then you need to know what can happen to your body, and your mind, as you undergo treatment.
Strengthening your mind
A cancer diagnosis can be a severe blow to self-esteem and to an individual’s confidence in facing the world. You need people around you who are supportive and who understand as best they can what you are going through, both mentally and physically.
For many people who have been involved either as a cancer sufferer or a supporter and carer, donating to a cancer support foundation is an important way to know that they are helping fund future research and work towards completely understanding and dealing with the causes and effects. It’s also important to give time to talk with people, perhaps sharing experiences and offering friendship. Sometimes, this can really help boost someone’s confidence and self-esteem.
Cancer sufferers can often be overlooked, so if you can help raise awareness, it’s a positive contribution for all those who have problems. Donations to cancer research make a real difference to how the many manifestations of the disease can be countered.
The physical demands
Your body is challenged by cancer, and when you’re being treated, you may just want to hide away from everyone. You probably know that a treatment such as chemotherapy may mean that you lose your hair and feel nauseous much of the time. What you may not be told is that this type of treatment can also affect your skin, your lips and your nails.
When you are challenged physically by cancer, you may think that there’s not much you can do in terms of how you appear. However, there are simple steps you can take to help you be and feel more beautiful, despite what is happening.
You can use products that have a natural base to help calm down sensitive, itchy, dry and damaged skin. Take advice and look for products that use natural vegetable oils rather than creams and lotions, which can have added ingredients that may make skin problems worse.
Whatever you are feeling, there are many ways to help yourself feel better. Life may give you or others an unpleasant hit, but in many cases, cancer can be beaten. Retaining a positive outlook can make a real difference.