Living With Cancer

Can You Live A Normal Life With Cancer?

There are many questions that a cancer patient may have following their diagnosis. One of the most important questions for cancer patients and their families may be, Can I live a normal life with cancer? The answer is, of course, it depends. Often, cancer patients, their close friends, and families will learn to live with a “new normal”. This new normal may exist somewhere between your old life and your new life living with cancer, but you and your support people around you need to adjust as naturally and healthily as possible.

Remaining Healthy Whilst Living With Cancer

While being treated for cancer it is important to try and maintain a healthy lifestyle and to consider making life changes to support your journey back to full health. However, it should also be remembered that in some cases say for example with Breast Cancer, the treatment can affect the body and can bring on things like the risk of menopause more abruptly.

So consider the positive effects of the following, as these may have a major impact on how long you can live with cancer.

• Maintaining a well-balanced diet
• Staying healthy and avoiding the risk of catching infections or any airborne viruses
• Ensuring your weight range is within a healthy limit
• Partake in regular exercise to reduce the risk of clinical obesity
• Reducing your alcohol intake
• Cutting out all forms of smoking, including cigarettes and vaping
• Avoid any type of recreational drug use
• Creating a positive self-image
• Surrounding yourself with positive support and caregivers
• Recognizing the need for rehabilitation
• Considering spiritual activity
• Maintaining your overall health and well being
  
  
  

What’s It Like Living With Cancer?

Another common question raised among people living with cancer is, what is living with cancer actually like? Again, this question will vary not only from person to person, men, and women but also in age groups, for example, elderly cancer suffers may have more difficulty in coping with cancer as opposed to a much younger person.

In any instance, a person experiencing cancer treatments may find it beneficial to get in touch with a cancer center or cancer society who can offer them an insight into their experiences working with cancer patients, different cancer treatment regimes, and/or clinical trials that they may have had positive experiences with.

These institutions may also be able to put you in touch with cancer survivors who are readily available to share their personal cancer stories and what living with cancer was like for them. Other helpful resources in your cancer education may include blogs, email pals, and other health care information channels.

What To Do When You’ve Been Diagnosed with Cancer?

It is important to do what feels best for you and your family when you have initially been diagnosed with cancer. Being able to find the right medical and health professionals is an essential first step towards living with cancer in the best way possible.

Another important step is to educate yourself and your support network on what to expect, from cancer treatment options, alternative methods such as clinical trials, different clinical oncology services, and the overall health care options.

In doing so, you may feel better prepared to focus on some of the more important matters in your life, such as your mental and emotional health, your overall physical well being, along with the other things that matter such as your family and friends

Some people find that by focusing on their recovery and working towards living cancer-free works helps to support their emotional needs, whilst others feel that to live with cancer ‘in’ the moment is best for them.

Can You Live A Normal Life While Undergoing Chemo?

Again, the question of whether you can live a normal life whilst on Chemo comes down to individual experience. Every cancer journey affects people in different ways. Some cancer patients find that they can live a completely normal life whilst undergoing treatments such as Chemotherapy, while others may find the side effects quite dramatic, and other patients may find that they are unwell for just a short time after treatments.

However, it is important not to push yourself too hard to try and live your life as it was before your diagnosis. Accept the support that your friends and family may offer, and know your limits both physically and mentally. You may find that you need to reassess your priorities in life, from relationships to your work-home balance. Accept your new normal, embrace the support given, and do the best you can with what you haves