Breast Cancer Support: Finding Help Through Cancer

One of the most difficult situations someone can face is a cancer diagnosis. A whirlwind of emotions blows through leaving traces of shock and fear, anger and anxiety and even depression. One of the most common emotions a patient (and their family members) experience is a feeling of helplessness. Patients feel out of control, sitting in the most terrifying seat of roller coaster ride that won't stop.

Family members and care givers undergo the same feeling, only they truly are helpless. There is nothing they can do that will make this go away, they can’t physically save their loved ones from the pain, the fear - they can only watch. Caregivers are placed in a very vital yet traumatizing role for their cancer fighting loved ones. What both the patient and care givers need to understand is that there is no "right" or "wrong" way of dealing with the news or what results. They also need to remember that they are not alone in these struggles.

Preventing Stress For a Better Recovery

One thing common with cancer patients is stress. It is constant and unrelenting and yet needs to be avoided as much as possible for a better recovery. Patients find many things to stress over, and they have a right to be concerned. A patient from the Kentuckiana Cancer Institute said “I worry for my family mostly. Who would look after them, if I was gone?” She also said that her next greatest stress was fear of the unknown. She didn’t know enough about her diagnosis, or treatments, or cures, or where she could find help. Prolonged stress can lead to other physical concerns and emotions: lack of sleep, pain, irritability, anger, depression etc. Some ways to reduce stress include:

* Accept that there are events you can not control.
* Eat well-balanced meals, high in cancer fighting properties such as avocados, blueberries, chili peppers, grapefruit, garlic, shitake mushrooms, rosemary, turmeric, broccoli, teas, etc.
* Exercise regularly, even if it is a short walk in the park. Fresh air, sunny days and being physically fit all aid in cancer fighting as well as reducing stress, anxiety and depression.
* Try as hard as possible to remain positive instead of becoming angry, combative or aggressive - the only thing to result from anger is guilt and depression for you and your loved ones. Caregivers often feel the anger directed at them instead of the cancer in general and in turn makes the care giver fight depression battles of his/her own.
* Try to keep as much of your daily routine the same before and after your cancer diagnosis. In doing this, it allows patients to keep their feeling of independence and strength.

Available Support for Breast Cancer Patients
Read more at Suite101: Breast Cancer Support: Finding Help Through Cancer http://cancer.suite101.com/article.cfm/breast-cancer-support#ixzz0gp88G3Py



Breast Cancer Support: Finding Help Through Cancer