Effects Of Cancer Diagnosis On Marriage 

When a cancer specialist tells you that you have the disease and you speak with a religious leader, you will often hear them say, “God will not give you a challenge you cannot overcome” or “I will pray for your early recovery.” 

The former denotes that you are an active person, while the latter is a confirmation you only need prayers to complement the treatment you are getting. Both sentences, of course, have a way of making you feel better once you listen to them. It is as if cancer will not hurt you as much as it should since the big man in heaven will ease your pain. 

Source: commons.wikimedia.org

Continue reading “Effects Of Cancer Diagnosis On Marriage “

Vaccination Against Cancer

Polio, smallpox, measles, tuberculosis, whooping cough, diphtheria, hepatitis B and neonatal tetanus were just among the fatal diseases that are now under control through widespread vaccination. Since the discovery of vaccines, science has found its way to improve human life, and vaccines have contributed a lot to this undertaking as they play an essential part of our wellness. Vaccines work by stimulating the production of antibodies and provide immunity for the body against fatal diseases. Continue reading “Vaccination Against Cancer”

A Guideline In Enjoying Life Despite Having Cancer

Being a cancer patient can take a toll in your life. Most of your recent days will be spent in hospitals so that you can get your treatment. At the same time, your time will also be spent talking to your physician almost every week. The truth is that everything will start to become difficult for you. You will begin to feel bad about a lot of things because of your medical condition. When this happens for a long time, there is a possibility that your attitude will change. Aside from this, you may also become depressed or anxious most of the time.

Source: pexels.com

If you want to continue living life to the fullest despite having cancer, then make sure to read this interesting article from start to finish. We have gathered some of the unique tips to remember so that you can continue enjoying your life. Remember that having cancer does not mean the end of everything for you. There are still many things that can happen. Keep in mind that there are several cancer survivors around the world. You can be one of them as long as you focus on maintaining your physical health and improving your mental wellness.

Here are some of the essential things to remember:

Meet Up With Friends

One of the most common reactions of people with cancer is to keep themselves away from other individuals. A big part of you would want to lock up in your room and hide from your friends. Take note that it is okay to do this but only for a short period. As much as possible, get back on your routine and start meeting up with friends again. Remember that the more you spend time with these people, the better you will feel about life. “You know the ones—these are the people you know you can always call, text, or email when you need to feel a connection.” David Klow, a licensed therapist said.

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Take Time To Rest

Remind yourself that you already have a serious medical condition that needs attention. Stop yourself from doing things that can take up all of your energy. It can make the situation a lot worse on your part. As much as possible, learn how to take days off from your work or business. Enjoy at least a week of relaxation. You can travel to a new place where you can de-stress or stay at home, sleep, and make peace with yourself. Remember that “sleep can restore your mind and body. The immune system repairs itself and the brain rests and recharges while you sleep. Without enough sleep, you can’t function at your best,” says Dr. Aaron Kaplan, PsyD, Clinical Psychologist.

Talk To A Therapist

Knowing that you have an illness that can end your life at any time can be stressful on your part. Make sure that you get the help and support you need. If you are not comfortable discussing your issues and problems with a friend or family member, feel free to get professional help. All you must do is to find the best therapist in your local community and connect with the said individual. Set an appointment for a therapy session, and you can start from there. Put in mind that your mental wellness is essential at this point in your life. Because “connecting with a therapist can help you get through the “groundhog day” of never-ending cycles where you feel continually defeated.” Chris Oneth LMFT explains.

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Follow the practical techniques mentioned above to have a worry-free life despite having cancer.

Cancer 101: How To Handle It The Best Way

The worst thing that can happen in your life is discovering that you have a serious medical condition. It can be sad or heartbreaking to realize that you have cancer, and it can prevent you from having a good life. The feelings of fears and doubts are only in your mind. Remember that you can still control the way you react to this medical diagnosis. Do not let one medical report prevent you from living the best time of your life.

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For today’s article, we are going to talk about the ways on how you can handle your current situation. First of all, we do not want you to deny the reality that you have cancer. Instead, we want to encourage you to keep going. It is not the end of the world, which means that you can still continue enjoying life to the fullest. Here are the things that you must constantly remind yourself:

Be Grateful

According to Catherine Cleveland M.S., LMHC-P, “Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act.” Now is the time of your life when you need to gather all the strength left in you and appreciate what you have left. Take a moment to sit down and think of all the things, circumstances, and events that make you smile. Who are the people who never left your side? These are the ones that you have to be grateful for. The moment you allow gratitude to be part of your life, your life will improve.

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Find Time With Family

As much as possible, spend most of your time with your family members. Free your schedules on the weekends so that you can bond with them over good food and conversations. Keep in mind that they are the ones who will stay by your side no matter what happens. The more quality time you spend with them, the better it is on your part. Be with the ones who will never get tired of making you feel better about your situation. “By building a list of people that you trust, with whom you can talk to in times of need, you allow yourself a strong sense of not being alone.” David Klow, a licensed therapist suggests.

Attract Positivity

Being diagnosed with cancer is challenging. It can break your heart into a million little pieces, but you have to be stronger than what you are feeling right now. As much as possible, continue to attract positive and good vibes at all times. Remind yourself that negativity will take you nowhere. Stop thinking that life is about to end. Instead, consider your illness as an opportunity to open your mind and heart to endless possibilities. “Happy people do things differently. They make their emotional wellbeing a priority and practice daily and weekly habits that help them create joy, happiness and satisfaction in their lives,” says Dr. Chantal Gagnon PhD LMHC.

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Conclusion

Having cancer is never an easy thing to handle. However, you have no choice but to do everything you can to survive this situation. Stop blaming yourself and your old habits for what is happening in your life at the moment. Instead, focus on what is coming next. Remember that you can control your reactions to everything that is taking place in your life. Be smart enough to focus on your physical health and mental wellness. Be with the people who will help you survive this challenging time. You can get through this as long as you focus on improving your life.

Tips In Sending Sympathy To A Grieving Family

The sad thing about having cancer is that this kind of illness can be tricky. Sometimes, no matter how a person focuses on treatment, the cancer cells will not go away entirely. This is why many individuals still fall victim to this deadly illness. If you know someone who has recently died because of cancer, make sure that you reach out to the family as soon as possible. Now is the right time to express your sympathy to the members of his family and let everyone know that they can share their grief with you.

 

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In this article, we are going to share some of the things that you must keep in mind when it comes to sending sympathy to a grieving family. For sure, you are clueless about how you can connect to this family, especially at this time when they are hurting a lot. Do not worry because you can read some tips here:

 

Write A Sympathy Letter

 

One of the first things that you may want to consider is to send a sympathy letter to the head of the family. Write down all the comforting words that you can think of. However, it is ideal if you will think twice before you put down your thoughts into writing. Keep in mind that you have to be careful with what to say. Remind yourself that it is a sensitive moment for everyone so you must not say something without giving it a second thought.

 

Source: pexels.com

 

Visit The Wake

 

When there is a death in the family, it is only a normal process that a wake will be arranged for the one who passed away. What you must do is to know the schedule of the viewing or the wake, so that you can show up anytime you can. When visiting the family, make sure that you bring something for them. Find time to talk to the members of the family when you attend the wake. Tell them your condolences individually. For sure, they will appreciate it.

 

Send Flowers When Necessary

 

If you cannot attend the wake for some reasons, be sure to take the proper step to send flowers to the family. With the recent advancements in technology, it is not easy to order flowers online. Make sure that you choose the right color and floral arrangement. As much as possible, keep it simple. What is essential is that you can send a message to the members of the said family that you care even if you cannot show up for the wake. If possible, have the flowers to be delivered in the morning when there are no guests yet. The advantage of choosing this delivery time is that the family can take time to check who it came from and arrange it properly.

 

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As long as you follow our tips and tricks mentioned above, then you will never encounter any issue with sending sympathy to a grieving family. Follow everything for a worry-free situation.

 

How To Express Your Love To A Cancer Patient

There are many things that you have to keep in mind when it comes to dealing with someone with cancer. The first thing that you must instill in your mind is the fact that the said person is going through a tough or difficult phase in his life. As such, now is the best time for you to show your support and appreciation to this person. We understand that there are several times when you have no idea on how to express your love to this person, especially if you are not used to showing your real emotions.

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Do not fret or worry because we are going to give you a list of things to remember so that you can find a way to express your love to a cancer patient in the best manner possible. Before anything else, you must understand the reality that what you think about the other person matters a lot. You cannot show him love and compassion if you do not feel these emotions towards him. Because of this, you have to be sure that you want to send your appreciation to the other person so that you will not end up hurting him.

Stop Making A Big Deal Out Of It

 

“Mental health issues can be caused by a combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors, and can have a minor or major impact on a person’s thoughts, feelings and behaviors.” Christina L. Gmyr, LMHC, NCC The smart thing that you can do is to continue acting normal towards the other person. Just because he has cancer cells does not mean that he can no longer do the usual stuff that ordinary people enjoy. As much as possible, stop making a significant deal about his medical condition. Take note that you can still show your love without making him feel incompetent.

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Tell Him “I Love You” Every Day

Stacy Donn Cristo, LMHC once said; “Love is the root of what brings each and every one of us to therapy—the need to understand love, the hunger and desperation to find love and experience love, the desire to love and the desire to be loved.” Never let a single moment or day pass without telling the other person how much you love him. Remember that cancer can be a tricky illness. There is a high possibility that your loved one may be gone soon. As such, make every moment count by making sure that you tell him your true feelings all the time. Utter the sweet words “I love you” every chance that you can. You must never get tired of showing your affection to him.

Spend More Quality Time Together

One of the things that you can also do is to let your partner know that you are by his side, during this challenging moment of his life. Never make him beg for time and attention. Vara Saripalli, PsyD advises to “Be supportive and let them know it is not that you think something is wrong with them, but that you want them to have some help with their current challenges. Sometimes, people who are depressed want help but don’t know how to get started.” Instead, give it to him easily so that he will begin to feel better despite having cancer. As much as possible, start making him a top priority in your life. Do it now before it becomes too late. For example, cancel all your appointments on the weekend so that you can go out on a date with him or stay at home to relax. Do everything that will make your partner smile because he deserves it.

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If there is one thing that you must always do, it is never to let cancer get in between the two of your relationship.

Life Of Patients With Cancer

Quality Of Life For Patients With Cancer

Not all understand how hard life is for individuals with diseases. Not everyone is judgmental toward these patients with the health crisis, but a majority of these patients are dealing with them incorrectly. The quality of life for these patients is not as normal as they wish it to be, and their friends and family members also struggle with the cancer burden.

No one knows entirely know how these patients with cancer feel.
Source: visualsonline.cancer.gov

Perhaps it is because that is how cancer patients see society do it.

But the whole point of caring for unfortunate patients with cancer doesn’t necessarily have to be generalized, because no one knows entirely how a cancer patient feels – right from the very moment that the cancer diagnosis has been given. Proper information and understanding of their feelings are crucial.

You will realize that you are doing it wrong for those patients with cancer if you don’t provide the right care.

When cancer patients get a diagnosis of breast cancer, lung cancer, or any kind of cancer, they often feel cancer pain at some point in their journey. Proper treatment and prevention methods can alleviate some of these pains.

Cancer cases are common, so loved ones and caregivers have all the resources on all cancers and relevant cancer treatment, including advanced cancer. The availability of ample resources ensures they can access the best care.

Cancer survivors rely heavily on their health care team, health insurance, and community services for early detection and treatment options based on their specific cancer type, such as colon cancer. While navigating the healthcare system can be challenging, hope is always present for any cancer survivor as they work towards better health and quality of life.

Life Of Individuals With Terminal Illness

Understanding Cancer And Its Effects On Individuals Suffering From it

Cancer comes in many types, including common ones like prostate cancer, breast cancer, and those caused by human papillomavirus. While anyone can be affected, the side effects and the need for cancer treatment vary depending on the specific type.

Why does cancer become a threat to patients with cancer?

How does cancer kill a person emotionally and mentally?

Let’s learn more about people with cancer and how cancer cells or abnormal cells can be dealt with using cancer treatments. Understanding this can also shed light on cancer prevention and its importance.

WHAT OTHERS DON’T UNDERSTAND ABOUT CANCER AND CANCER PATIENTS (FACTS AND TRUTHS ABOUT IT)

First off, it does not make patients with cancer feel better when someone pities them because they have cancer – whether it be breast cancer, lung cancer, or other certain cancers. Instead of keeping their heads up, patients with cancer begin to see themselves as a burden to their family members because of having cancer.

Source: flickr.com
THEIR LIVES ARE NOT GOING TO CHANGE IN AN INSTANT.

They need an excellent method that will help cancer survivors improve during the cancer adjustment period.

This period includes procedures like radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, disease control, clinical trials, and other types of cancer treatments specific to conditions like childhood cancer and others.

The transition is not smooth, and these people with cancer need love, palliative care, and support, not only from family and loved ones but also from doctors and caregivers as well.

What these patients with cancer want others to do is believe in them and not feel sorry about their having cancer and their condition.

They need those supportive people that will back them up in their cancer journey to full recovery.

Source: wikimedia.org

Care And Support

Learn About The Unexpected Reality of C Patients

“Mental health struggles are real. They can be painful, especially with cancer treatment (cancer pain is very common).

You May Feel Alone.

In some of the darkest times, you may feel like something is “wrong” with you to the core,” says Erica Thompson, LMFT, LPCC.

That is the reason these cancer patients are emotionally and mentally sensitive (these are common symptoms), and that is the reason why most of them require too much rest because they are prone to anxiety and depression.

When facing cancer, patients can benefit from tips on coping with their diagnosis and treatment when they join support groups to talk with others going through similar experiences. Eating healthy and staying active is also important to treat their illness. Families can play a critical role in helping patients cope and expect the unexpected. Some organizations offer free services and benefits to patients with cancer. They donate so they can also make a difference in the lives of those being treated.

You see, a lot of people can promise these patients with cancer that they will always be there for them. But in reality,

When there is a relapse emergency, nobody will call, text, or do other ways to reach out.

Understandably, a lot of concerned people don’t know what to say or do when dealing with cancer sufferers. But the thought of just staying by the patient’s side and just saying anything creates a little difference.

The Changes That People Experience Because Of Being Diagnosed With Cancer

These cancer sufferers often hold back their physical, emotional, and mental connections. They want to monitor their capabilities.

That is because they are trying to save themselves for a better moment afterward.

“Knowing your risk factors for depression and other mental health diagnoses, and how your mental health may be impacted by the medications you take is a crucial part of taking control of your mental and physical health.” Julia Hogan, LCPC said.

And that is very important.

Source: wikimedia.org

A doctor explains that along with the changes in the lives of cancer patients is the emotional pain they will experience daily. Going to the hospital regularly for screening, education, medicines, clinical trial, chemotherapy, radiation, and other matters is not at all easy for them.

That is due to the painful moments when they can no longer spend more time with their loved ones.

They are also often thinking about their quality of life and contemplate death from time to time, as they know that cancer death does not depend on age but on the spread of infections to other parts of their body.

This Causes Them More Stress, Which, Research Shows, Is The Leading Cause Of Breast Cancer And Other Forms Of Cancer. But One Thing Is All We Know, They Want To Get Treated.

According to Marla W. Deibler, PsyD, “It’s ‘normal’ to experience some degree of anxiety when stressors are unfamiliar, unpredictable, or imminent.” But for some patients, it is different.

THERE IS ALWAYS A MISCONCEPTION ABOUT EVERYTHING, AND BEING A CANCER PATIENT IS NO EXCUSE.

There are certain days they are okay (especially when cancer treatments show effectiveness), and there are those moments these patients are not feeling great, such as times when other symptoms present or there is a risk of further infection.

The Big C Is Not Something Simple. Cancer Treatment And Cancer Prevention Are Not Simple Too.

That is why we need to show someone with cancer the respect and health care that they need, whether or not he does not say it. Patients with cancer should not be pitied. They should only be understood.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What are some of the most difficult obstacles that patients with cancer face?
  2. What are the things that patients with cancer must not do?
  3. What are things that they must do?
  4. Does having cancer mean you are contagious?
  5. How would you encourage a patient who has cancer?
  6. How is a patient with cancer affected emotionally?
  7. What presents would most likely make patients with cancer happy?
  8. Does stress aggravate cancer?
  9. What is most important to cancer patients?
  10. Can you live a long life with cancer?

4 Sentences To Say To A Cancer Patient

There is no easy way to deal with someone who has cancer. The truth is that no matter what you say or do, you can never take the illness away from the other person. Cancer will always be there unless a miracle happens to the cancer patient. However, you can help the said person deal with the difficulties and challenges that he encounters because of his severe illness. According to a psychologist, the people surrounding an ill individual can positively affect his recovery.

 

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For today’s article, we want to encourage everyone, who has a loved one who has cancer, to keep going. Be the symbol of strength for the one you love and care for. Be the source of strength, courage, and happiness so that you can help the other person. Below are some of the heartwarming words that you must say to someone positive for cancer:

 

“I Am Always Here”

 

Assure the other person that he can always count on you, especially at times when he is in physical and emotional pain. Let him know that you will always be there no matter what happens. Do not make promises that you cannot keep, which is why you must only utter these words if you are sure that you will never leave his side. By making yourself available to him, you are letting him know that he matters in your life. As a result, he will become more interested and motivated in fighting against cancer because he knows that someone would be hurt if he does not continue the battle.

 

Source: pixabay.com

 

“You Will Soon Be Okay”

 

Another reassuring thing that you can say to a cancer patient is the fact that he will soon be okay. This line may be short, but it carries with it so much power and inspiration. It also somehow brings an assurance to the other person that just because he is suffering now does not mean that there is no longer a way out. It promises someone that after the hardships, there will be a time for reaping the rewards of his sacrifices. However, you must also open your mind to the possibility or chance that the other person may not survive cancer.

 

I Love Taking Care Of You”

 

Are you aware that several ill people are afraid to let others take good care of them? Some of these individuals are also shy to rely on other people for their survival. They start to feel embarrassed about their situation to the point that they develop a low level of self-esteem or confidence. For this reason, your loved one who has cancer may try to push you away from him. When he does this, it does not mean that he no longer cares for you. The truth is that he is only afraid to give you the responsibility of taking care of him. He may also feel self-pity, which is why you have to continue encouraging him at all costs.

 

“I Understand What You Are Going Through”

 

Never miss an opportunity to let your loved one know that you understand what he is going through. Let him know that you can see his struggles and that you are willing to do whatever it takes to eliminate the said challenges. Once the other person knows that you understand what he is feeling or thinking, it will be easier on your part to reach out to him. The mere fact of knowing that you understand his situation is already reassuring on his part. It would make him feel loved and appreciated, Utter these sweet words every now and then so that he will not forget it.

 

Source: pixabay.com

 

Conclusion

 

As already emphasized above, there is nothing that you can do to eliminate cancer from the life of your loved one. However, you can make the journey more exciting and meaningful by being with him regardless of how busy you are at work or business. At the same time, never forget to utter or say the words listed above. You will be surprised at how one sentence can already change the mood of the one you love.

 

Health Anxiety: The Fear Of Cancer

Some of you might probably have the same issue as I have right now. I have health anxiety where I generally have two distinctive fears. It is the idea of having cancer and dying with it. The struggle is real and how you think about a cancer diagnosis in that particular situation leads to multiple other mental health issues. These include panic attacks, sleep disorders, eating disorders, as well as anxiety itself.

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How It All Begin

“Anxiety is a broad categories of symptoms, while panic attacks are a specific way in which anxiety can express or manifest itself.” – Dr. Chantal Gagnon PhD LMHC

I know my health anxiety starts with my subconscious that somehow accompany and manifest panic attacks. For me, when I experience a sudden mood shift from being excited to completely scared over things I’m not sure about, I know there’s a presence of anxiety. From there, I investigate and work myself up over because I thought of dying with cancer. The idea of not always finding solutions to everything scares the hell out of me. Every time I feel pain or something that is usually not normal in my body, I always assume that I might be having cancer. I often go to Google and search probable symptoms of this and that. And the worse things about having too much health concerns is it makes me feel paranoid about what I physically and mentally experience. I understand what Robert Allison, MA, LPC used to say that “Anxiety is often thought of as an emotion, but it’s really more than that, especially when it gets to be problematic.”And I genuinely can’t help it.

Unfortunately, searching for answers and looking at the symptoms online leads me to have panic attacks and eventually develops an unrealistic list of phobias. There is the idea of having brain cancer every time I get headaches. There is colon cancer because I always feel the pain in my lower stomach for more than a month. There is skin cancer because I quickly get this red and itchy lump on my skin whenever I exposed myself on too much sunlight. I even thought about those small lumps as tumors growing inside my skin. I also convinced myself that I am having lung cancer because most of the times I can’t breathe properly. All of these anxieties of having cancer are taking my actions up to the next level. I get to do weird stuff only to feel better. I even try and change my lifestyle for the sake of not experiencing any cancer symptoms. I somehow become obsessed with avoiding things that can cause cancer-related diseases.

Source: pxhere.com

I thought of having all types of cancer that’s why I always go and see a doctor every time I see, feel, and experience new things on my physical attributes. I check bumps and lumps on every corner of my body. What’s even funnier is that having pimples also scares the hell out of me. There’s a buildup on anxiety on these kinds of scenarios. I am thinking of having internal inflammation because those red dots won’t come off and seem to last for a couple of days. There’s mental torture going on every time that happens.

Turn Of Events

Karin Draper, LMFT once said, “In the lives of those experiencing anxiety, anxiety has almost always served a purpose as a survival function at some point. ” But everything about this health anxiety is a freaking nightmare. I now have depression which I know can create quite a mess in my life. The fear I have gives me emotional and mental torture, and that is the reason why I often try asking for professional health advice (Ex. therapist, counselor, etc.) Guess what, it turns out that I don’t have any health issues that can escalate to having cancer or anything related to that. I am happy about it, but that’s because I start to believe that I survive cancer.

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Though I pretty much convince myself about not having any types of cancer, I am now suffering from mental illness concerns due to health anxiety. I am currently isolating myself from people because I believe that my condition is unacceptable and irrational. I feel embarrassed because I told people that I am entirely having this and that, that I am going to die any time soon, but turns out I don’t and I will not. Due to this instance, I shut down people because I am not happy about not having cancer. I mean, I feel it would be a validation to have one since I already believed in it.

It’s funny how the way I thought about my condition becomes my source of strength and weakness at the same time. Luckily I’m still alive and kicking and now working with my mental health issues without the fear of having cancer.

Cancer Matters: Turning Can’ts Into Can’s

In our society, having a terminal illness can lead to a lot of adverse effects which can affect one’s personal life, family relationships, career, and many more. Being diagnosed with a disease that can mean life or death is a tough struggle which a lot of people in the world bear, but they continue to fight so that they can achieve what they believe is a “normal” life.

However, in this day and age, more and more people have been more accepting of people with disabilities, patients with terminal illnesses, and people who have medical concerns in general. Because of this, a lot of inspirational people have risen to advocate such beliefs just like Jacob Walker who was a brain cancer survivor.

What Is Cancer?

Many of us know that cancer is indeed a terminal illness. It can start with tumors, benign or malignant, and it usually goes through different stages and different levels of pain. For others, getting diagnosed at an earlier stage would make them “lucky.” But unfortunately for some, they would immediately reach a more advanced stage without even noticing any signs or symptoms. With this, it’s essential to be knowledgeable and aware so that we can keep ourselves healthy and be able to help those who lack the knowledge.

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Cancer, in its technical definition, is a collection of related diseases which is usually caused by cells dividing rapidly and continuously, until these cells become abnormal and turn into tumors. There are many types of cancers based on the affected body part of the growing tumors. These tumors can spread and attack other tissues which in the end can become life-threatening to the person diagnosed with it. 

Emotional Effects

Given the life-or-death implication of acquiring cancer, many people go through an emotional struggle once they find out about their disease. However, it’s important to understand and realize, as an external audience, that these struggles of cancer-diagnosed patients are normal because most people are terrified of death and temporary disability, leading to some cases of anxiety and depression.

Source: pixabay.com

But just like in any situation, there are two sides to it—either see the good in it or acknowledge the bad. One of the most commonly felt emotions by cancer patients is discouragement and lack of will to live. As it is completely normal, there are ways for us to help empower, encourage, and support those who are feeling that way.

By knowing what to say, what to do, and how to act around cancer-diagnosed patients, we can all be agents to helping them live a happier life with a more positive outlook, and we can do this by turning their “I can’t” to “I can.”

Can’ts To Can’s

We know that some types of cancer can be terminal, while others are still curable. With this, cancer patients have two options once they find out about their diagnosis: it’s either they try to live life to the fullest and fight the sickness or sulk in fear of death and lose many opportunities to fulfill their other dreams in life. John M. Grohol, Psy.D. used to tell everyone that “These mental health measures included one’s emotional state, mindfulness, resilience, life satisfaction, overall mental well-being, among other characteristics examined.” Therefore, there is no point in not trying.

  1. Empowerment

The first and foremost way we can help cancer patients is to empower and motivate them. We all know that it’s not easy to be in their shoes, but we can at least try to be their “support group” as their friends, family members, and the people closest to them. 

By empowering cancer patients about their potentials, capabilities, and capacities, they are reminded of their value as a person before they found out about their illness. The thing about cancer and other terminal diseases is that once you are aware of it, it ultimately affects how you view life and how you act in your daily life. As we know that it’s not easy, letting these patients know that people believe in them and people support them can make a huge difference in their mindset and attitude. 

  1. Activities

Secondly, in empowering cancer patients, it’s important to know which hobbies are fun but still safe to do for them to engage in and be part of. It’s essential to be very creative in thinking of ways for them to enjoy without leaving out the fun part. As Jennifer L. Taitz, PsyD, LA-based clinical psychologist suggests, “Activity scheduling entails creating a plan, say, Sunday night, for the week where you plot out times to be with people, take exercise classes, work on projects, etc. Often, people wait until a mood or motivation moves them. Rather than waiting for those tenuous experiences, I urge people to be proactive and follow their values. Don’t wait to feel better, but start to live better now.” Here are a few suggestions!

  • Art making: Through art therapy, cancer patients can get ahold of their creative juices and make it come to life!

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  • Journaling: Scribbling down one’s thoughts can be helpful especially if the patient is going through chemo.
  • Gardening: Green environments can boost one’s psychological mindset. By engaging in cultivation, the patient can have a sense of responsibility and accountability!
  • Yoga Exercise: By participating in physical activities that aren’t too strenuous, cancer patients can get a breath of fresh air in this kind of hobby.
  • Vlogging: For tech-savvy people, this can be a great avenue to let their daily thoughts out and share their adventures to the world, in the hopes of inspiring other people as well.

By empowering and supporting cancer patients, we can help them turn their can’ts into can’s! As what Alicia H. Clark, Psy.D., a licensed clinical psychologist used to say, “The worst thing we can do is say to ourselves, ‘I can’t handle it,’ while the best thing we can say is, ‘I may not like it, but I can handle it.” Those are the words we need to tell cancer patients.