Finding hope in cancer

Silent disease, silent progress.

When you think of cancer, you think of a death sentence.  Today though, the chances of survival for patients has increased dramatically and there are many treatment options. These include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Each person’s experience of cancer is different. Although there are different experiences when it comes to cancer, there are general tips that can help in the long run.

Knowledge is power. Find out as much as you can about the type of cancer you have. Very often what you can imagine in your ignorance is far worse than the truth. Check the source of your information carefully. Do your research properly when it comes to different treatments, types of medication and the pros and cons of all of these.

Choose the right doctor. You need to find someone with the right mix of good medical knowledge and bedside manner. This is a traumatic time in your life and the last thing you need is to feel that your doctor is uncaring,  misinformed or cold.

Ask questions. Make a list of all the questions you need to ask. Remember that you're probably not medically trained, so there's no such thing as a stupid question. If the doctor uses confusing terminology, say so and ask for an explanation.

Make informed decisions. Depending on your condition, you might have to decide if you want surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Find out as much as you can about the different treatments, their side-effects and possible benefits. Accept that when it comes to something like chemotherapy, there's little connection between how it makes you feel and the long-term benefits.

Don't self-medicate. If you get headaches, or suffer from diarrhoea or even get the flu, see your doctor. There are over-the-counter medications that could interfere with your cancer medication. Lifestyle and diet changes should only be made with your doctor's approval. If your medication has side-effects, don't stop taking the tablets without consulting your doctor first! This could have very serious consequences.

Stick to instructions. Take your medication at the time you're supposed to and follow the instructions carefully. If you stick to instructions from your doctor, chances of complications are reduced and your meds will work efficiently. Also, try to stick to any lifestyle recommendations your doctor has made – difficult as they may be. In the long run, the sacrifice will be worth it.