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Easing the Stress of Cancer:
It is the diagnosis
that no one wants to hear. Despite years of research, the word “cancer”
continues to strike fear into the hearts of men, women, and children.
While the detection of cancer is no longer a death sentence, there
is always the possibility that cancer will accelerate the end of one’s
life. With a diagnosis of cancer, one comes face-to-face with one’s
own mortality.
There are a number of stressful aspects to a cancer diagnosis. Primary
among these is the possibility that the cancer will be fatal. As a
result, cancer can cause tremendous stress to one’s interpersonal
relationships. Your family and friends may be on edge, worrying that
you might die. You may also be short-tempered because you’re
not certain how many more days you might have to live. You may be
frustrated and anxious and may find it difficult to sleep.
Cancer can also lead to a great deal of financial stress. There are
bills for doctors, for treatments, for medication, for surgery. At
times, the costs can seem staggering. While your health insurance
might cover part of the expense, you yourself might have to shoulder
the rest of the cost. If you were barely getting by before your diagnosis,
you might find it especially difficult dealing with the financial
aspect of cancer.
The process of chemotherapy itself can be highly stressful. To begin
with, you will not feel as energetic as you usually are, leaving you
with the stress of wondering how you will get everything done. Also,
you may feel nauseated, making it difficult for you to complete your
work at the office or your work at home. Finally, losing your hair
to chemotherapy can be quite a stressful experience. You have to decide
how to handle your baldness—whether you will invest in a wig,
a scarf, or just “go natural.” The baldness is particularly
stressful for women, who tend to base a great deal of their self-image
on how they look.
Realizing that cancer will put you under a great deal of stress is
half the battle. Then, you must learn to deal effectively with your
stress. For some cancer patients, this means engaging in relaxation
exercises. For instance, you might envision that your white blood
cells are eating up cancer cells. You might picture the cancer leaving
your body, and your body being left healthy as a result. Or you might
picture your cancer washing away to the sea. Such mind relaxation
techniques can leave you with a more upbeat, enthusiastic attitude
and can be highly beneficial in your recovery.
Another stress-reliever is spending some time reading inspirational
works. Whether you draw your inspiration from Ronald Reagan or Mother
Teresa, reading about how famous people overcame difficulties can
help you as you battle your own demons. Such works can be greatly
uplifting, giving you the courage and strength necessary to battle
cancer heroically.
You might also be able to reduce cancer-related stress by changing
your diet. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can
improve both your physical health and your mental outlook. In this
way, you will be better able to handle the stresses of cancer treatment.
Yet another effective stress-reducing technique is to join a support
group of cancer survivors. This can be tremendously beneficial to
your overall well-being. You’ll gain strength from listening
to the experiences of other men and women who are facing the same
challenges you are. And the fellowship that results from group meetings
can aid you in your recovery.
There is no easy way to deal with the stress of cancer. It is a debilitating
disease which can sap your physical strength and deplete your emotional
reserves. It can leave you feeling battle-scarred and may, at times,
lead to a feeling of hopelessness. The good news is that recovery
rates are better than ever before—especially when the cancer
is caught early. There is a good chance that you will be able to survive
cancer, and your recovery could add years to your life. If at any
time you find the stress of cancer to be overwhelming, make sure that
you mention it to your doctor. He or she might be able to assist you
with additional coping strategies that can help you deal with this
devastating illness.
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