Cancer is probably one of the most frightening diseases that people today can face. We do not know all the causes of cancer, but we have learned to pinpoint factors that can lead to or protect from cancer. The following are several tips relating to cancer and how to cut your risk of developing it.
It is quite normal for cancer patients to feel unattractive. Self-esteem is at an all-time low and nothing seems to be right. This is a great time to pamper yourself! When you are feeling well enough, take a friend and go out to lunch. Get your nails done, or shop for a new outfit. Doing normal, everyday activities can make you feel like part of life again and change your whole attitude!
If you are battling cancer, it can be helpful to join a support group for your type of cancer or cancer in general. Talking to others in your situation can help you feel less alone and give you a chance to make new friends. Mutual support can be very important on the journey to recovery.
One way to reduce your risk of cancer is to get immunized. Hepatitis B and HPV (human papillomavirus) can both lead to cancer. The Hep B vaccine is routinely given to infants, but is also recommended for adults who are considered at risk, such as people with multiple sexual partners or who are regularly exposed to blood.
Ovarian cancer is a serious form of cancer that is hard to treat. The symptoms don’t usually make themselves known early, and there are no screening tests for early detection. There are several ways to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer such as a diet low in fat, sugar and red meat. Keeping weight down, and taking birth control pills can also reduce the risk. As a last resort, some women choose to have their ovaries removed after childbearing. This removes the risk entirely.
Following your cancer diagnosis, try to keep your life as normal as possible. You may need to make some changes, but a consistent routine will help you feel more like yourself. Since your plans may need to be altered at the drop of a hat, take each day as it comes and enjoy it.
Seek out other people who have been diagnosed with cancer. They understand your situation and many of the feelings that you are having. While your friends and family members are wonderful, it may be difficult to talk to them about certain aspects of your treatment. There are a variety of local support groups and forums that you can find online.
Anyone over the age of 50 should be receiving at least an annual screening for types of cancer like colon cancer. This is around the time that most people will get colon cancer, so it is very important that you work to catch this in time. Over 90 percent of all people diagnosed with colon cancer are over the age of 50.
Someone with cancer is going to want and need their time alone, so you have to know when to back off and to give a person some space. Having pride is important to everyone and sometimes, people do not want you to see them so vulnerable. Respect their request for privacy or you might be pushed away completely.
Avoiding the doom and gloom associated with cancer will help you to ultimately defeat it. Episodes of your favorite M.D. show can be hazardous to your health. Those images of sick and dying people can really put your mind in a bad place. Avoid them and, as trite as it sounds, find a happier place.
Be sure that you’re reviewing doctors and treatment options by yourself and/or with the help of your family instead of taking what the medical professionals say as gospel. Even doctors have different beliefs and ideologies and may put more credence in a treatment option that may not necessarily sound good to you.
If you have been recently diagnosed with cancer or have had it for some time I would highly suggest finding and joining a cancer support group. Cancer is one of the hardest diseases to deal with emotionally because it’s mortality rates. Having a support group will help you cope and enjoy your life the best you can.
Make sure that you are up-to-date on your immunizations. Viral infections can have an impact on certain types of cancer so ask your doctor whether you have received all the necessary immunizations. In particular find out whether you have the Hepatitis B and HPV immunizations; these can help prevent liver cancer and cervical cancer.
As mentioned earlier, we do not know every cause of cancer, but we can take what we do know and put it into action. Once you know how to cut your risk of developing cancer, you can make informed choices. So, take what you have learned from these tips and put that knowledge into action. Every choice that you make now can be one that impacts your change of getting cancer.
