Written by Scott Sanders
With a recorded 1,688,780 new cases in 2017, cancer continues to be the second-leading cause of death in the United States after heart disease. The good news is that the mortality rate has decreased over the past two years, while the five-year survival rate has increased by 20-24 percent (depending on race) over the past three decades. Along with any applicable innovations in cancer care, there are several steps one should take in an effort to boost their physical, mental and spiritual health during treatment.
Monitor your mental health
It’s key to have a grasp of your mental health in order to get through the physical aspect. Of course, when you’re scared, anxious, depressed and feeling awful, it can be difficult to embrace the “attitude is everything” mantra. To get around this mental roadblock, some psychologists suggest using The Athlete’s Way — eight tips that help with getting through a physical, mental, and spiritual challenge like cancer.
- Mind over matter: Success relies more on your mind and spirit than your body.
- Stay in the present tense: Do your best in the exact moment your living — don’t pressure yourself about what’s to come.
- Annihilate self-doubt: Practice saying “I can” about everything you are experiencing feelings of doubt.
- Personify adversity: Give cancer a nickname and then go tell it to get lost. Trash talking cancer in the third person is actually a popular coping method.
- Embrace the love and goodwill of others: Love is perhaps the most powerful drug. It can get people through the darkest of moments, cancer included.
- Adopt the theory of relativity: Once you hit rock bottom with your health, stay conscious of the moments when you’re feeling better.
- Laughing and crying have the same release: Both emotional outlets are cathartic, though laughing can be a challenge during treatment. If the moment strikes, however, embrace it.
- Happiness is a decision: Making a conscious effort to have a positive attitude is a job in itself, but remember that cynicism will drain your energy and make it easier to give up.
Take extra measures during chemo
One of the best things you can do for yourself while going through chemo is to try and retain as much normalcy in your life as possible, which includes partaking of usual hobbies and getting doctor-approved exercise and fresh air. Speaking of fresh air, you should also address the quality of the air inside your home, as it’s often not as clean as you’d think (a good MERV 8 air filter can help eliminate most of these pollutants from the indoor air). It’s also important to get plenty of rest and eat nutritious foods to ensure you’re getting enough protein and calories to make new, healthy cells that were destroyed during treatment.
Don’t dismiss spirituality
Studies have proven that spiritual wellness can aid in the success rate of a treatment program. It can increase feelings of hope; reduce anxiety, stress and anger; enhance the quality of life; and help with the trauma of diagnosis and treatment. Spiritual wellness is considered anything from practicing meditation and yoga to regular prayer or joining a support group through your church. If spirituality is important to you, be sure to address it with your care team or doctor so you can be connected to special advisors and/or pastoral staff.
Addiction prevention
Because opioids have a reputation for being addictive, many cancer patients aren’t getting the proper pain relief they need because they’re scared. However, doctors are aware that they need to make sure the patient understands the risk factors associated with overuse while instituting a multidisciplinary care program that can have safe and effective results.
Between the mental, physical and emotional side effects, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to getting through cancer. Sometimes the mental aspect can be more trying than the physical. This is why it’s important to have a well-rounded treatment program that addresses your mind, body, and soul — even when you’re in remission.
Photo Credit: Pixabay
Scott Sanders of cancerwell.org
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