what can you do for someone diagnosed with cancer

Full Answer

Should you get a second opinion when diagnosed with cancer?

You should not worry about asking your doctor for a second opinion. It is your right as a patient to have one. Doctors are usually happy to help patients arrange a second opinion. Your doctor may even recommend it when the best treatment approach for your cancer is not clear. You should seriously think about getting a second opinion if:

What do oncologists do when they get cancer?

Oncologists not only diagnose cancer, they can also administer treatments and closely monitor disease progression. For example, surgical oncologists can perform biopsies and remove cancerous tissue, while radiation oncologists can administer different forms of radiation therapy to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors.

What to do when cancer is mad at you?

What to Do When Your Cancer Man is Angry?

• Cook For Him. Each sign has specific body parts that are of particular importance to them. ...
• Show Him Affection. ...
• Take His Side. ...
• Apologize. ...
• Let Him Express His Emotions. ...
• Tell Him How Important He Is to You. ...
• Do Something Kind for Him. ...
• Don’t Leave Him. ...
• Don’t Get Defensive. ...
• Hear Him Out. ...

What happens after being diagnosed with cancer?

You may feel overwhelmed after your diagnosis, especially if your cancer has progressed beyond the early stages. It's different for everyone, but you might feel: These feelings are understandable, and you don't have to act like everything is OK.

Get The Facts About Your Cancer Diagnosis

Try to obtain as much basic, useful information about your cancer diagnosis as you need in order to make decisions about your care.Write down your...

Keep The Lines of Communication Open

Maintain honest, two-way communication with your loved ones, doctors and others after your cancer diagnosis. You may feel particularly isolated if...

Anticipate Possible Physical Changes

Now — after your cancer diagnosis and before you begin treatment — is the best time to plan for changes. Prepare yourself now so that you'll be bet...

Maintain A Healthy Lifestyle

This can improve your energy level. Choose a healthy diet consisting of a variety of foods and get adequate rest in order to help you manage the st...

Let Friends and Family Help You

Often friends and family can run errands, provide transportation, prepare meals and help you with household chores. Learn to accept their help. Acc...

Review Your Goals and Priorities

Determine what's really important in your life. Find time for the activities that are most important to you and give you the most meaning.If needed...

Try to Maintain Your Normal Lifestyle

Maintain your normal lifestyle, but be open to modifying it as necessary. Take one day at a time. It's easy to overlook this simple strategy during...

Consider How Your Diagnosis Will Impact Your Finances

Many unexpected financial burdens can arise as a result of a cancer diagnosis. Your treatment may require time away from work or an extended time a...

Talk to Other People With Cancer

Sometimes it will feel as if people who haven't experienced a cancer diagnosis can't fully understand how you're feeling. It may help to talk to pe...

Develop Your Own Coping Strategy

Just as each person's cancer treatment is individualized, so is the coping strategy. Ideas to try: 1. Practice relaxation techniques. 2. Share your...

How to help someone with cancer?

12. Maintain some normalcy. Remember, people with cancer aren't just cancer patients, and they don't want to be treated differently. 13. Stay positive. 14. Give them a roll of quarters for the hospital vending machines, or give them a bag of their favorite snacks.

How to help a cancer patient?

Visit. Cancer patients and caregivers are still people, and they want to see you, talk to you and laugh with you. 2. Listen. Ask questions to show you care, but let your friend or loved one lead the conversation. 3. Pray.

How to help someone who is coping with cancer?

When someone is coping with cancer and working, they could feel sensitive to being treated differently or with special treatment. Try to avoid special work favors or suggesting that they aren’t up to the workload. You want to treat them with respect and dignity.

How to deal with a family member with cancer?

Sometimes, dealing with a family member with cancer can be physically and emotionally draining. Offer some diversions like a walk in the park or visiting with friends or anything that you know can bring some relief and comfort. Don’t hesitate to ask what your friend might prefer and make sure it happens by scheduling the activity.

What happens when you get cancer?

When someone receives a diagnosis of cancer, the range and intensity of emotions can be overwhelming. Controlling your own emotions may be difficult, but your emotional stability is what your family member needs now . When we are upset, angry, or confused, we look to others to give us an emotional anchor to hold on to.

How to cope with losing someone?

It is normal to cope with your feelings about losing someone by thinking that a miracle will occur. Try and accept the fact that the person you care about will die. Touting cures or other ideas about treatment is not helpful and could be very harmful. However, if the person with cancer indicates they want people to be positive, then do that. Bring as much joy, laughter, and love into the journey as possible.

What happens when you are diagnosed with cancer?

They often don’t look their best. They might be embarrassed or humiliated by their condition.

What are some difficult conversations with cancer patients?

Have difficult conversations. Depending on the situation, difficult conversations can include end-of-life planning and estate planning. For someone diagnosed with cancer, there can be treatment decisions that require support and sometimes advice.

What are the issues that come up when someone has cancer?

When someone is dealing with cancer, several issues can come up. These include treatment decisions, estate planning documents, or finding healthcare providers. As a way of suggesting your support, ask about helping with these matters.

What does a doctor do when you have cancer?

Your doctor uses your cancer's stage to determine your treatment options and your chances for a cure.

What is the only way to definitively diagnose cancer?

Biopsy. During a biopsy, your doctor collects a sample of cells for testing in the laboratory. There are several ways of collecting a sample. Which biopsy procedure is right for you depends on your type of cancer and its location. In most situations, a biopsy is the only way to definitively diagnose cancer.

Why can't cancer survive unchecked?

Cancer can survive unchecked in your body because your immune system doesn't recognize it as an intruder. Immunotherapy can help your immune system "see" the cancer and attack it. Hormone therapy. Some types of cancer are fueled by your body's hormones. Examples include breast cancer and prostate cancer.

What is the best test for cancer?

Imaging tests used in diagnosing cancer may include a computerized tomography (CT) scan, bone scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI ), positron emission tomography (PET ) scan, ultrasound and X-ray, among others. Biopsy. During a biopsy, your doctor collects a sample of cells for testing in the laboratory.

How to make decisions about cancer?

As you learn more about cancer, you may become more confident in making treatment decisions. Keep friends and family close.

How to diagnose cancer?

In most situations, a biopsy is the only way to definitively diagnose cancer. In the laboratory, doctors look at cell samples under the microscope. Normal cells look uniform, with similar sizes and orderly organization. Cancer cells look less orderly, with varying sizes and without apparent organization.

What tests can be done to detect cancer?

For instance, in people with leukemia, a common blood test called complete blood count may reveal an unusual number or type of white blood cells. Imaging tests.

What to do when you have cancer?

Bring takeout from your loved one’s favorite restaurant or cook up a big batch of their most-loved dish. Keep in mind that cancer treatment can cause changes in appetite and/or taste, so it may be a good idea to ask what foods they currently enjoy. “Bring them their favorite food.

When to offer support to someone who is diagnosed?

It is natural to offer a lot of support when someone is first diagnosed, or if things take a turn for the worse. However, your loved ones still need support even when their health starts improving.

How to show support to a loved one?

Try simple, special gestures. Give them something to look forward to. Respect their boundaries. Love them. 1. Stay in Touch with Them. Make sure to visit your loved one, whether they’re in the hospital or at home. Showing up is always a worthy sign of support.

Is cancer a stressful illness?

Going through cancer, or any health crisis for that matter, is incredibly stressful. Your loved one doesn’t need anything else on their plate, including worrying about how you can help.

Can cancer cause taste changes?

Keep in mind that cancer treatment can cause changes in appetite and/or taste, so it may be a good idea to ask what foods they currently enjoy.

Can you go to chemo alone?

Going to chemo alone can get lonely. Keep your loved one company and join them for an appointment (or many). Chat with them, bring a game or simply sit and hold their hand.

What to do when someone is in cancer treatment?

Cook, clean, mow the lawn, wash the laundry and/or dishes, make sure the bills get paid, get the kids dressed for school, walk the dog and do all of the things that the person in cancer treatment would normally do to keep life going for the rest of the family. Bring a cup of tea or coffee and stop by for a visit.

How to help a cancer patient after treatment?

Drive the patient to appointments. And when treatment is over, drive them to checkups and scans. They may not show it, but cancer patients often have a lot of anxiety about these appointments even years after treatment. A friendly face and someone to talk to can make a big difference.

How to help a cancer patient who doesn't want to be treated differently?

Talk to your friend or loved one like you did before. Tell jokes, talk about what’s going on in the neighborhood or at your kids’ school, favorite TV shows, etc. This can briefly help take patients’ minds off of cancer.

How to help a cancer patient who doesn't feel like talking?

Instead, listen to the patient’s concerns, acknowledge that cancer sucks and offer a shoulder to cry on. And if the patient doesn’t feel like talking, sit there with them quietly. There is a lot of power in simply being present.

How to stop cancer patients from being tired?

Bring a cup of tea or coffee and stop by for a visit. Just keep in mind that cancer patients often struggle with fatigue, so don’t stay too long – unless they ask you to stay longer.

How to help a child with cancer?

Take care of their children. Take them to school or sports practice, help with homework, or have them over for a slu mber party or playdate . This can help take their minds off of cancer, and ease their parents’ stress.

Why do we take notes in the hospital?

Taking notes can ensure they have the information they need later.

What to say to someone with cancer?

If you’re struggling to find the right words, here are 12 kind things to say to someone with cancer: “I’m here for you.”. “You are in my thoughts and prayers.”. “This stinks.”. “Let me help you with…”. Tell a joke. “You are not alone.”. “Any time you need to talk, I’ll listen.”. “What day works for a visit?”.

How can listening help someone with cancer?

Having someone there to just listen can be enormously helpful for someone with cancer. They’re experiencing a lot of emotions, and you can provide an outlet for whatever they want to talk about.

How to show support to a friend?

During this difficult time, it’s crucial to show your support by planning regular visits. This will give your friend or family member a sense of community and help them feel like things are more normal. For example, the CaringBridge Planner helps you coordinate care and organize needs like bringing meals, rides to doctor appointments or taking care of pets.

How to show up for a visit?

Visit your loved one whether they’re at home or in the hospital. Showing up can also be as simple as sending a text or a call. Sometimes it is the small gestures that matter the most.

How to help someone who is unknown?

While they enter a new hurdle of their life, you can help by creating some familiarity for them during a period of unknown.

How to make someone feel positive?

A little motivation goes a long way. Pump your loved one up. Make them feel powerful. Whatever words you choose to convey this, they may appreciate the positivity despite a negative situation.

What to say instead of asking your loved one how you can help?

This is one of the most helpful things you can say. Instead of asking your loved one how you can help, tell them specifically what you’re able to help with. Treatment, doctor’s appointments and physical symptoms make it difficult to keep up with day-to-day life.

What to do when your friend has cancer?

What you can do: Visits. Cancer can be very isolating. Try to spend time with your friend – you may be a welcome distraction and help them feel like they did before cancer became a major focus of their life. Always call before you visit. Be understanding if your friend can’t see you at that time.

How to talk about cancer?

Be afraid to talk about the illness. Always feel you have to talk about cancer. The person with cancer may enjoy conversations that don't involve the illness. Be afraid to hug or touch your friend if that was a part of your friendship before the illness. Be patronizing or stigmatizing.

How to help a friend who is facing a difficult time?

Keep in mind that wanting to help and offering to be there for your friend is what matters most. Take care of any urgent errands your friend or the caregiver needs right away. Run an errand for the caregiver; it’s as helpful as an errand for your friend.

How to help a caregiver who is out of the house?

Schedule a visit that allows you to give physical and emotional support for the caregiver, too. Maybe you can arrange to stay with your friend while the caregiver gets out of the house for a couple of hours.

How to help a friend with chemo?

Make lunch for your friend and their caregiver one day a week. If your friend is getting chemo, ask what they feel like eating.

What to do on a Tuesday morning?

A Tuesday morning can be just as lonely as a Saturday night. Take your own needlework, crossword puzzle, or book, and keep your friend company while they doze or watch TV. Share music they enjoy, watch their favorite TV show, or watch a movie with your friend.

How to help a friend in a friendship?

Help your friend keep an active role in the friendship by asking advice, opinions, and questions – even if you don’t get the response you expect.

How to make your friend's life easier after cancer?

Make your friend's life easier by anticipating her needs and giving tangible, much-needed support. Here is a list of the top favors people did for me that made my day (and made my life much easier!) after my cancer diagnosis.

Can you send flowers after cancer diagnosis?

However, make sure the person isn't on neutropenic precautions first; fresh flowers can be an infection risk for cancer patients with weakened immune systems. Sadly, I had to give away the many wonderful flower deliveries I got right after my diagnosis. Or, consider silk flowers (no worries about causing infection, and they last longer).

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Coping and Support

• A cancer diagnosis can change your life forever. Each person finds his or her own way of coping with the emotional and physical changes cancer brings. But when you're first diagnosed with cancer, sometimes it's difficult to know what to do next. Here are some ideas to help you cope: 1. Learn enough about cancer to make decisions about your care.Ask...

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