When it comes to dealing with the physical and emotional impact of any disease or illness, it is vital to be well iformed. This is particularly true when it comes to cancer. Here are a few facts that you might find very helpful.
Battling cancer can be the biggest fight of your life. You need to be informed and in control of all the options you have. Don’t be afraid to ask questions of your doctors, nurses and other medical caregivers. Research your type of cancer and empower yourself with knowledge. Arming yourself for battle can help you win the war!
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.
You should always receive regular check-ups with your doctor, at a clinic, or with any medical professional. Cancer is something that has been known to spread rapidly, but any doctor should be able to catch a tumor as it begins to grow. This is when cancer is at its slowest and is thus the most possible to get rid of.
Try to stay at a healthy weight. Being overweight and inactive can increase your chances of getting cancer. Excess weight has far reaching consequences and losing weight will do much more than lower your cancer risk. It will also lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and premature death.
Decrease the amount of red (such as lamb, pork, and beef) and processed meats in your diet. Studies have shown that red meat can increase your chances of getting cancer. If you do buy red meat, make sure that it is lean meat. You don’t have to remove red meat from your diet, just limit it.
The life you had before cancer may seem like a distant memory as the battle wages on, but always cling to your past to remind yourself of what you have to look forward to in the future. Keep old pictures and old videos around to remind yourself that cancer is not all there is in life for you. A positive view of the future is good for for your health.
Drinking a lot of water is a great way to not only help with taking your cancer medications, but also to prevent cancer altogether. Ample water in your system is great for your kidneys and will help to prevent constipation. It also helps to keep you properly hydrated, in order to keep your cells healthy.
If you wear makeup, use products that do not contain chemicals that have been linked to cancer. There are websites online that can help you look up your favorite products to see what they have in them. Avoid products that contain ingredients with “peg” or “eth” as part of their name.
Get to know your breasts. It may seem kind of silly to feel your breasts on a regular basis, but if you take the time to learn how they should feel, you are going to be able to notice any changes if they should occur. This makes it much easier for you to know when there is a change so you can see your doctor immediately.
Limit the amount of red meats, and especially processed meats, in your diet. A healthy diet is linked to reduced risks of cancer. Eating a heavy amount of red, processed meats will increase the fat content of your diet. The processing in particular exposes you to some potentially harmful chemicals and preservatives. All of these things can be high risk factors for cancer.
It is important for cancer patients to drink plenty of water, especially if they are receiving chemotherapy. A cancer patient’s immune system is low and it is important to stay hydrated. Becoming dehydrated can cause other complications that could land you in the hospital. Try to stay away from soda and sugary drinks.
It is important to be frank and honest when discussing your diagnosis. It is important to have a strong support system, and being uncommunicative will hinder your ability to do so. Talking honestly about what is going on will help strengthen the connections between you and those you love.
Talk to your doctor about anti-nausea medications if you are going through chemotherapy. Nausea is one of the most common, but unfortunate side effects of chemotherapy, but it can be treated with medications. Most insurance plans will cover these drugs, as it is needed to help a patient manage their side effects.
The hope here is simply that you understand what to do when you or someone you love is unfortunate enough to contract cancer. These tips are in no way a cure for the disease, but they do put you you in abetter position to deal with it. Knowledge is a vital weapon in the fight against this serious illness.
