9 THINGS Every Cancer Patient Should Do · Just because you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, doesn’t mean you have to give up on being healthy. If you haven’t been eating right

9 THINGS Every Cancer Patient Should DoA guide to living with a cancer diagnosis

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Information provided in this guide is not a substitute for talking with your healthcare professional. Your healthcare professional is the best source of information about your disease.

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1 . Find the right doctor to meet your needs

9 THINGS EVERY CANCER PATIENT SHOULD DO

A guide to living with a cancer diagnosis

Your doctor is someone who you’ll be spending a lot of time with during treatment. So, when choosing one, it’s important that you put careful thought into what matters most to you. Understand that doctors are people, with their own personalities and individual style. The best doctors are those that not only have strong knowledge and experience in their field, but who also communicate in a way you can relate to and complement your personality.

Of course you’ll also have to consider several practical issues such as insurance, location, and specialty. However, the number one thing you should consider in your selection is whether or not you feel comfortable with placing major healthcare decisions in a particular doctor’s hands. Things to consider when choosing a doctor include bedside manner, experience, and good communication skills.


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Not all treatment options are the same. Each doctor will have their own recommendation for treatment of your particular cancer based on their experience and knowledge. Generally, they will be similar, but it is not unusual to seek a second opinion to gain a new perspective on treatment.

Some cancer doctors who treat a lot of patients with a particular cancer type may be located far from you. This may be inconvenient, but since these specialists are often on the cutting-edge of cancer care, it may be worth the time to speak with them—even if you ultimately choose a doctor closer to home. Do the research. Weigh your options. And gain some perspective. Then, decide what’s best for you.

2 . Seek a second opinion


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3. Develop your own coping strategy

You and your reaction to cancer are unique. So you’ll cope with your diagnosis in your own way. However, if you try to hide and ignore the stress and difficulty of coping with cancer diagnosis and treatment, you may find it overwhelming. It doesn’t matter what you choose to do, but it is essential to find an outlet for your feelings.

It may be something that you’ve been doing all your life, like reading, playing cards, or exercise. You may choose to find a new hobby or activity that you’ve wanted to try, but never had the time. Just find something you enjoy, and do it to the best of your ability. And remember: always ask your doctor before starting any new activity.

Here are a few tips from the Mayo Clinic that many people find particularly helpful while coping with the stress of a cancer diagnosis:

• Practice relaxation techniques• Share your feelings honestly with family, friends, a spiritual adviser or a counselor• Keep a journal to help organize your thoughts• When faced with a difficult decision, list the pros and cons for each choice• Find a source of spiritual support• Set aside time to be alone• Remain involved with work and leisure activities as much as you can


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4. Keep communication open

Whether it’s with your primary care doctor and oncologist, your spouse, family, or friends, it’s important to make communication about your disease a two-way street. Although it may be difficult at first, in the long run you may find that being open about your feelings is the best way to overcome the difficulties of diagnosis and treatment. Here are some tips for making communication easier and more constructive:

• Talk to people who are truly ready to offer you support.• Only share the information that you feel comfortable talking about.

There is no shame in politely refusing to answer questions that you don’t want to.

• Know your audience. Different people will want different degrees of detail about your disease. Remember, for example, that talking to your family is different than talking to your coworkers.

• Say what you mean. It’s best not to sugarcoat the truth. If you feel scared, angry, or depressed, it can be helpful to find someone you trust and discuss it with them. They can only support you if they know how you feel.

• Be prepared to explain medical terms that friends or loved ones don’t understand. Also, don’t be afraid to admit that you don’t know the answer to a particular question.


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5. Maintain a healthy lifestyle

Just because you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, doesn’t mean you have to give up on being healthy. If you haven’t been eating right or getting enough rest, maybe now is the best time to make a change.

After speaking with your doctor, try to choose a healthy diet and remember to drink plenty of water each day to remain hydrated. Make sure to get plenty of rest to help recharge your batteries. Although fatigue is common during cancer treatment, try to keep your sleep schedule as normal and regular as possible. Make sure you have a full 7-8 hours of sleep each night. If you have consistent sleep problems, talk with your doctor.

If your doctor says it is okay, you may want to participate in regular physical activity before and during treatment. Exercise can help reduce stress and anxiety. Your ability to exercise will be greatly determined by how you feel each day. Even if you just take a short walk outside, it may help revitalize your body and mind.

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Your cancer diagnosis may have you thinking about what you really want to do with your life. Rather than dwell on the past, think of positive changes and goals that you can make for the future. Make a list of your priorities during and after treatment. Share it with your loved ones, and make them an important part of achieving your goals. Some things you might want to think about are:

• RELATIONSHIPS: Try to make a resolution to spend time with a friend or family member that you haven’t seen in a while.

• RECREATION: Depending on how you feel and what your doctor thinks, maybe it’s time to start a new hobby or activity. Just because you’ve been diagnosed with cancer doesn’t mean you have to put your life on hold. Find something that makes you happy, and do it. Always consult your doctor before beginning an exercise program.

• GIVING BACK: Although coping with a cancer diagnosis can be all-consuming, you may feel the desire to dedicate time to helping others. If you aren’t able to do this during treatment, make a promise to do so once your treatment has ended.

• SPIRITUAL: Maybe you’d like to nourish your spirit through religious goals. Perhaps you prefer to do so through yoga, journaling, or meditation. Whatever you feel is best, take some time to think about what life means to you.

When making and planning new goals, it’s helpful to follow the SMART method. Make your goals:

• SPECIFIC: Know what is required to achieve your goal and don’t try to accomplish too many things at once.• MEASURABLE: Try to find a measurable way to keep your goal on track. For example, if your goal is to do yoga each morning, plan to wake up at 6 AM each day to make time for it. That way you know you’re on track.• ATTAINABLE: A goal is attainable if it can reasonably be achieved based on your schedule, lifestyle, and limitations. For example, if you want to exercise more, it would be attainable to walk 1 mile each day, not 20 miles a day.• RELEVANT: Your goal should fit within your overall life goals and sense of purpose.• TIMELY: Your goal should have a clear timetable that states what you want to accomplish and when.

6. Review your goals and priorities

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7. Fight the myths

Cancer is one of the most common diseases in the U.S., yet most people simply don’t understand the facts about cancer. A friend might think that cancer is contagious or an employer might think you will never work again. Myths and preconceptions can pop up when you least expect them. The important thing is to be prepared to confront them in a constructive way.

The first thing to remember is that most people don’t mean to hurt you, even if they say something about your disease that you find offensive. Usually, they simply don’t understand the facts. Plan what you’ll do in these situations, because they’re certain to happen. Be lighthearted, make a joke…whatever works best. Then, take a moment to educate the person on why their comment was hurtful and explain the truth about your disease.

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8. Look into insurance options

When you’re diagnosed with cancer, not only do you have to come to terms with the stress of your medical needs, but you also have to figure out how you’ll pay for treatment. There’s no question about it; cancer treatment is extremely expensive. It may be comforting for you to know that many health insurance plans cover cancer care and many organiza-tions offer assistance.

Still, you still might worry about what your plan covers, what happens if you lose coverage, or how you’ll pay for treatment if you are unable to work. Each person’s personal situation is unique, but remember, there are several safeguards in place to make sure that you’re able to get the treatment you need.

As soon as you are diagnosed, get a copy of your health insurance benefits, and read it carefully. Your best weapon in the financial fight against cancer is knowledge about what is covered by your plan and what’s not. If there’s anything you don’t understand in your plan, call your provider to get answers as soon as possible. Always be kind and courteous when speaking with your provider. You can’t imagine how much kindness matters if you have a later appeal or issue with your coverage.

Another thing that many cancer patients worry about is losing insurance coverage if they get too sick or if their side effects are too severe to work. The Family and Medical Leave Act is a law that requires all employers with more than 50 employees to provide unpaid, job-protected leave to all eligible employees for medical or family emergencies.

If you’re still worried, the Americans with Disabilities Act is a law that makes it illegal to discriminate against employees that are disabled. This includes a cancer diagnosis. Although it may not help in the short-term, it means that your current or future employer may not use cancer as a reason to fire, not hire, or deny benefits to you. You may want to explore this act in-depth, and make sure you know your rights. That way if you have a problem later, you have the knowledge to fight back.

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9. Take advantage of available resources on coping with cancer

This guide is only a tiny fraction of the support resources available for cancer patients. The Internet is a treasure trove of helpful information about every aspect of cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. When looking for additional information, it’s important to make sure that it’s reliable. Some websites are much more credible than others.

Always discuss this information with your doctor prior to following any advice given on the Internet. Do not make any changes to your diet, activities, or treatment plan (including beginning to take vitamins, supplements or over-the-counter medications) without first talking with your doctor.

Perhaps the two most comprehensive and credible cancer web sites in the world are the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute. On either of these sites, you’ll find reliable information about nearly every aspect of cancer care.

Remember, if you have any questions or concerns, it’s always best to speak with your doctor.

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| 10© 2012 Bristol-Myers Squibb. All rights reserved. ONUS12WA00303 02/12


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9 THINGS Every Cancer Patient Should Do · Just because you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, doesn’t mean you have to give up on being healthy. If you haven’t been eating right