One of the hardest things to cope with can be the feeling that the cancer and its treatment have taken over your life and that you have lost control. This is a common feeling and is partly true, but over time people usually find things they can do that help them to cope.

There may be times when you feel too tired and helpless even to think about what could help. It is not unusual to feel like this when you have cancer. You'll have good and bad days, and it's important for you and your family to realise this.

If you are overwhelmed by these feelings let your doctor or nurse know. It may be that you have depression, and this is very treatable so they should be able to help.

For some people it is important to try to live life as normally as possible. Staying in contact with friends and trying to carry on with your usual activities can reassure you that life has not changed too much.

An experience of cancer may help some people decide on new priorities in their lives. This may mean spending more time with their family, going on the holiday they have long dreamed about, or taking up a new hobby. Just thinking about these things and making plans can help you realise that you still have choices.

Information

Understanding the cancer and its treatment helps many people to cope. It means that they can discuss plans for treatment, tests and check-ups with their doctors and nurses, and play a real part in the decisions that are made. Being involved in these choices builds confidence and can help give you back control of your life.

Finding ways to cope

Some people may decide to improve their general health by eating a more healthy diet or by getting fitter. Finding a complementary therapy which helps you to relax can be a very positive way of becoming involved in your illness. You may find our section on complementary therapies useful.