Finding out you have cancer can be a devastating experience. No doubt you will be overwhelmed with a range of emotions and a growing need for answers to the question, “What happens next?” The following are tips for living with cancer adapted from the National Cancer Institute that can help you better understand your feelings and develop a strategy for learning to cope with the disease. [9]

Learn about your cancer

Educating yourself about your cancer and its treatment can help you feel more empowered and in control. Ask your doctor or nurse questions. Don’t feel like you are taking up time or asking too many questions. To help remember what the doctor says, take notes or bring along a friend or family member who can listen with you.

Get a second opinion. It can help confirm your diagnosis, and you might receive a different perspective on the disease and your cancer treatment options.

Finally, be sure to visit public libraries and support group Web sites and use the Internet to learn more. The American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute Web sites are valuable resources in your search for more information.

Ask for cancer information from your healthcare providers

No matter your diagnosis, simply hearing about it can leave you and your family feeling frightened and overwhelmed. However, your healthcare team of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers can teach you a lot about cancer and its treatment. But it’s sometimes difficult to learn at this time. Here are some things you can do to make it easier to learn:

• Ask your doctor or nurse to write down the name and stage of your cancer and other important information about your particular cancer
• Ask as many questions as you need to
• Don’t worry if your questions seem silly or don’t make sense
• Take someone along with you when you see the doctor so that they can take notes and help you recount what you learn during your visit
• Take notes during your conversation with your doctor

Learn about eating well

Eating well means getting enough calories to prevent weight loss and having enough protein in the diet to build and repair skin, hair, muscles, and organs. The key is to find a style of eating that makes you feel good. So, we’ve assembled some general tips for your diet:

• Eat small, frequent, high-calorie meals (every 2 hours)
• Don’t be afraid to try new foods—some things you may never have liked before may taste good to you during treatment
• Add extra protein and calories to your diet
• Prepare and store small portions of favorite foods
• Try liquid or powdered meal replacements, such as “instant breakfasts,” during times when it is hard for you to eat solid food
• Snack between meals
• Consult a nutritionist

Loss of appetite can be a serious problem for people being treated for cancer, including those receiving chemotherapy, because those who can eat well are better able to withstand the side effects of the treatment. Eating in a calm, comfortable environment and getting regular exercise may also improve appetite.

For more cancer information and more detailed tips for living with cancer, visit the American Cancer Society Web site at www.cancer.org or the National Cancer Institute Web site at www.cancer.gov.

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