Dealing with cancer
Cancer can have a huge impact on your life, both practically and emotionally. It's important to remember that there isn't a right or wrong way to cope with the emotions a diagnosis can cause. Finding what will help you is what's important.
Coping with cancer
Most people feel overwhelmed when they are told that they have cancer. A diagnosis of cancer often provokes intense feelings, including loss of control, fear, anger, guilt, depression, anxiety and loneliness. These emotions are part of the process that many people go through in dealing with their illness.
After being diagnosed you might be very keen to find out as much as possible about your cancer and the urge to get the information quickly can be overwhelming. Talking through your situation can help you identify the questions you will want to ask your local medical team, and you can get more in-depth information on our Cancerbackup site as a good starting off point. Finding out more about your illness can help you to feel more in control of your situation.
As you start to live with cancer it helps to try to take 'one step at a time', and to set small achievable goals. This can encourage you to feel that there are still some things that remain within your control. For more on the emotional effects of cancer, and how to deal with them, visit our Cancerbackup information site.
Share your worries and concerns
Talking about cancer can be the first step towards dealing with it and can help to relieve some of the anxiety. For some people, discussing their worries and fears with the people closest to them can be difficult, as they worry that they may become a burden. Others may be concerned about the impact a diagnosis of cancer may have on their relationships. For more information on talking to your partner about cancer, visit our Cancerbackup site.
If you don't feel ready to discuss your illness with a friend or relative there are many other ways to talk. It might be a good time to telephone a support and information helpline or visit your local information and support service. Contacting a cancer self help and support group, and talking to someone who has been through the same experience can also be supportive. Or you could talk, or just listen, to other people affected by cancer in our online communities.
Adjusting to living with your diagnosis, and facing some of the emotions that you have, will help you through this difficult time. There are often many changes to be made and you may feel grief as a result of these changes, but there is help available for you and your family and friends. Read more and get advice on talking about cancer on our Cancerbackup site or find out how we can help.