It can be hard to know what to say to your children if you or someone close to the family is diagnosed with cancer. How much should you tell them and in what context should you put it? This article will give you some great tips to guide you through that tough conversation with your little one.
If you have a friend or loved one suffering from cancer, there are many ways to show your love and support. One way is to accompany the person to doctor appointments and chemotherapy or radiation treatments. Cancer can be a lonely disease, and having a supportive partner can do wonders to lift the spirits of the one fighting it.
When battling cancer it is important to surround yourself with people who will honestly listen to your opinions and feelings without judgment. There are days when you are going to be angry, frustrated or sad and you need to be able to express those feelings openly and honestly when need be.
Once you receive your cancer diagnosis, learn everything about your form of the disease and your course of treatment as you can. Write down questions before you visit the doctor and ask him. You can even bring a friend or family member along with you to help ensure that you remember what is being said.
It is important to work as much as possible while you are battling cancer. Many people are able to work their regular jobs even while they are getting treatments for their cancer. It is possible to live a very normal life with cancer as long as you try to live normally.
One of the most critical things you can do to cope with your cancer diagnosis is taking the time to think about your goals and what you want from life. Participate in activities that you enjoy; they will make you feel happy and hopeful. Spend time with the people you love and don’t waste your energy on other things.
Think about how you are going to cope with the stress of your cancer diagnosis. Everyone handles things differently, but it is important to have a way to relax after a particularly difficult day. Research relaxation techniques, consider which friends and family members you can talk openly with, and keep a journal.
One of the best cancer-prevention tips you can ever use is to check out your family’s medical history in detail. Most people who contract cancer have genetic markers that make it more likely to grow and spread. Know and understand your family’s medical history and you can do more to prevent cancer.
If you have been exposed to any type of asbestos, dangerous chemicals in paint, or other types of dangerous substances through your job or home, you should be visiting the doctor at least once per year to receive check-ups and cancer screenings. Work to catch the disease in time if you have been exposed to dangerous substances.
As discussed at the beginning of the article, it can be hard to know what to say to your little ones when you or someone close to the family is diagnosed with cancer. Hopefully, this article has helped you feel a little more prepared for having that sensitive conversation with your children.
Beatrice Cox is a writer and stylist with a passion for the intersection between biology, technology and design. High in Swedish Bali and Heritage, it travels around the world encouraged and informed a global perspective on the future of fashion and its relations with planetary health. She is currently working for a sustainable fashion label in Bali, Indonesia.