What to Do After Being Diagnosed With Cancer
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is an overwhelming experience for both you and your loved ones. During this challenging time, creating a health plan, building a strong support system, and prioritizing self-care are essential. Lean on your family and friends, and consider seeking guidance from a counselor or support group to navigate your emotions and discuss your diagnosis openly.
Educating yourself about your specific type of cancer and available treatments is key to making informed decisions. While no one can predict the exact outcome of your cancer or treatment, your healthcare team can provide insights into the prognosis and guide you through the process. Empowering yourself with knowledge can help you approach your treatment plan with confidence and clarity.
Support System: The Foundation for Coping with a Cancer Diagnosis
How To Cope with a Cancer Diagnosis
After receiving a cancer diagnosis, it is completely normal to feel worried or to feel completely numb and in shock. Don’t be afraid to express your emotions to your doctors and loved ones, and do what you can to keep your body as healthy and well-rested as possible. Techniques like meditation, therapy, journaling, and support groups can help manage any stress or anxiety that results from a cancer diagnosis. It’s crucial to stay optimistic when adjusting your lifestyle to cancer.
If you aren’t able to work after being diagnosed with cancer, you may qualify for government assistance like Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance. Cancer is often considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and there are extensive resources available to help with cancer-related expenses.
Talking About Cancer With People
Deciding whom to tell about your cancer diagnosis and when to tell them can be difficult. It may be helpful to share your diagnosis and discuss your feelings with those with whom you feel comfortable. Choose people who can be there to support you during treatment. While it can be tiring to explain your illness over and over, giving details about your situation to friends and family can make you feel less alone. If it’s difficult for you to talk about, you might consider having a family member or close friend help explain the situation to others.
When others offer you help, do not feel like you should decline because you don’t want to be a burden. Many people find it difficult to accept help from other people, public agencies, and outside groups for help, but there are resources to assist with the extra expenses that come with cancer–a social worker or patient navigator can also help suggest resources for health care costs, transportation, lodging, food, and other needs.
Being Comfortable With Your Doctors: Getting a Second Opinion
If you’ve recently received a cancer diagnosis, you might want to seek out a second opinion to confirm the diagnosis and make sure you are comfortable with the treatment plan. You may also want a second opinion if you do not feel confident with your current doctor or feel they’re underestimating the seriousness of your condition.
Other reasons you may consider getting a second opinion include:
- You have been diagnosed with a rare or unusual cancer.
- You believe more current treatment options might be available.
- Your doctor isn’t a specialist in your type of cancer.
- You want peace of mind that you have the correct diagnosis and are making the right treatment decisions.
- Your insurance company requests another opinion before starting treatment.
When selecting another doctor for a second opinion, it is important to make sure they are well qualified. A good starting point is to check that they are board-certified in oncology.
It is also important to give any new doctors your full health history and the details of your cancer. If you have them, bring copies of your pathology reports, a list of all your prescriptions, and other medical documents like discharge summaries, operative reports, and treatment plans. It can be helpful to take notes during these appointments or bring someone with you to help you do so.
How to Prepare for Cancer Treatment
After diagnosis, it may take some time to start your treatment plan. Doctors often need to perform a series of tests to determine the best course of treatment. It is normal to have many questions about treatment options and the treatment process. Ask your doctor about any questions you have and what to expect. Learning as much as possible about your cancer and treatment plan can help with anxiety about the process.
It’s crucial to keep yourself as healthy and strong as possible before your first cancer treatment. To prepare for your appointments, keep aware of any restrictions like fasting. Additionally, it may help to write down your symptoms, key personal information, family history of cancer, a list of all your medications, and any questions you have for the doctor. You may also want to consider having a friend or family member accompany you to appointments for support.
Next Steps in Treatment
Cancer treatment varies depending on the type and stage of cancer. The most common treatments are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, but some patients benefit from other treatments like bone marrow transplants, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted drug therapy, and clinical trials. Treatment can be long or short, but all treatments tend to throw off the balance of your life for some time.
Diagnosing cancer at its earliest stages often provides the best chance for a cure. Once the cancer is diagnosed, your doctor will determine the stage of the disease and use that information to determine your treatment options and prognosis. The treatment goals will depend on the prognosis. Some treatments aim to cure the cancer entirely, while others attempt to remove or kill as many cancer cells as possible or control the cancer’s spread.
Many, often complex, factors can affect your prognosis and treatment after being diagnosed with cancer—most importantly, doctors will consider the type, location, and stage of the cancer. It’s also important to determine whether the cancer has spread throughout the body and, if so, how much. Other factors affecting your prognosis include your age and health before diagnosis and how your body responds to treatment.
How Family and Friends Can Help
Everyone reacts to a cancer diagnosis differently. It’s important not to assume how your loved one is feeling. If a friend or family member has been diagnosed with cancer, the best thing you can do is be there for emotional support and listen to their feelings. You should also respect their need for privacy when appropriate.
It’s often important to keep your relationship with your loved one as normal as possible. In most cases, professionals advise that you try not to drastically change the way you interact with your loved one because of the diagnosis. However, you can do things that will make their life easier, like driving them to appointments, making them food, and running errands for them when necessary. Overall, the key is having them feel positive, loved, and supported.
Support Groups for Cancer
Finding support groups with other cancer patients and survivors can be a great resource for mental health after being diagnosed with cancer. Talking to others undergoing treatment may help with feelings of loneliness and stress. The American Cancer Society has support groups nationwide and an online peer support community called the Cancer Survivors Network, which offers a digital space to connect with others who share your experiences.
Managing Mental Health
The cancer diagnosis and treatment process can take an extremely heavy toll on a person’s mental health. Not surprisingly, an estimated 8 to 24 percent of cancer patients suffer from depression. Meanwhile, research has shown a connection between mental health and cancer survival since patients with depression may be less likely to follow treatment plans, have preventive screenings, or attend therapy appointments.
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is a life-changing physical and emotional event for patients and their families, and it’s important to monitor your mental health as well as your physical health. If you experience sadness, hopelessness, or worry, speak up—family members and close friends are there for you to lean on. Other ways to support your mental health while dealing with cancer include:
- Talking to professionals
- Joining support groups
- Talking to others who have cancer
- Keeping a journal
- Making time for exercise
Contact Freedland Harwin Valori Gander With Legal Concerns
A delayed or incorrect cancer diagnosis can have devastating consequences, as cancer progresses over time and early detection is often critical. If you believe your doctor failed to diagnose your cancer, delayed your diagnosis, or made a diagnostic error, you may have grounds for legal action. These mistakes can lead to worsening outcomes and preventable suffering, but you don’t have to face this alone.
At Freedland Harwin Valori Gander, we have been advocating for victims of medical malpractice for over 20 years. Our team is dedicated to protecting your rights with care, compassion, and proven legal expertise. If you or a loved one has suffered due to a cancer misdiagnosis, don’t wait to seek justice.
Contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step toward getting the answers and compensation you deserve.
