We have all heard the airplane safety routine words, “Please put on your own oxygen mask before assisting those around you.” People going through cancer and also shouldering the responsibility of a family or caring for others, should try their best to prioritise their own health to enable them to take better care of loved ones.
Making proactive choices such as scheduling regular doctor visits, eating healthily, staying active, getting enough sleep and managing stress will help you to perform your best at work and at home to support your family, friends and colleagues. Even though you are facing serious health concerns, you can strive for your best health, balance and wellness which is personal and different for everyone and dependent on your life stage and your current health status.
When it comes to prioritising your health, the most important thing you can do is schedule regular doctor visits and making the most of those visits. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regular health exams and tests can help find health problems before they start. They also can help with early detection, when your chances for treatment and cure are better.
Keep a notebook handy and list all questions and new symptoms as they come up. Also keep a diary of symptoms and note when, how intense and long-lasting your symptoms are and take this information with you when you visit the doctor. Having this information will help your doctor with your treatment.
Remember to talk to your doctor and the rest of your treatment team about the best diet for you. Your diet will depend on the kind of cancer and cancer treatment you have – your specific symptoms and side-effects will also play a role.
As a guideline, fill your diet with lots of healthy greens, wholegrains and fruit as far as possible. Try to drink lots of fluids to keep hydrated. Such healthy choices add up and go a long way towards achieving balance and wellness. Do not underestimate the power of healthy food in building your health up.
According to the American Cancer Society, exercise is not only safe and possible during cancer treatment, but it can improve how well you function physically – and your quality of life.
Too much rest can lead to loss of bodily function, muscle weakness and a reduction in the range of motion. Cancer treatment teams are urging their patients to be as physically active as possible during cancer treatment. Many people are learning about the advantages of being physically active after treatment, too.
Stanford University psychiatrist David Spiegel, MD, advises that our quality of sleep may determine how well the body fights cancer and may help explain how mental wellbeing plays into cancer recovery and progression.
He also says: "Getting a good night's sleep is fairly simple, if you allow yourself to do it. The big problem for cancer patients is they take too much on themselves and don't give enough time to help their bodies cope with the illness. They're worried about burdening their families and fulfilling their usual obligations."
A cancer diagnosis is often one of the most stressful experiences in a person's life. Coping with cancer can be more challenging with added stress from work, family or financial concerns. Everyday stress can also make coping with cancer more difficult.
Find tips on managing cancer-related stress here.