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Housecall, our weekly general-interest e-newsletter, keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics with timely, reliable, practical information, recipes, blogs, questions and answers with Mayo Clinic experts and more. Our biweekly topic-specific e-newsletters also include blogs, questions and answers with Mayo Clinic experts, and other useful information that will help you manage your health.
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Coping and support
By Mayo Clinic staffA diagnosis of cancer can be extremely challenging. Remember that no matter what your concerns or prognosis, you're not alone. Here are some strategies and resources that may make dealing with cancer easier:
- Know what to expect. Find out everything you can about your cancer — the type, stage, treatment options and their side effects. The more you know, the more active you can be in your own care. Talk with your doctor, and look for information in other resources, too. The National Cancer Institute will answer questions from the public. You can reach them at 800-4-CANCER, or 800-422-6237. Or contact the American Cancer Society at 800-ACS-2345, or 800-227-2345.
- Be proactive. Although you may feel tired and discouraged, don't let others make important decisions for you. It's vital that you take an active role in your treatment.
- Maintain a strong support system. Having a support system can help you cope with any issues, pain and anxieties that might occur. For people with salivary gland cancer, this may include adjusting to changes in your facial appearance due to surgery and radiation. Although friends and family can be your best allies, they may sometimes have trouble dealing with your illness. If so, the concern and understanding of a formal support group or others who have gone through similar experiences can be especially helpful. Although support groups aren't for everyone, they can be a good source of practical information.
- Set reasonable goals. Having goals may help you feel in control and can give you a sense of purpose. But don't choose goals you can't reach. You may not be able work a 40-hour week, for example, but you may be able work half time. In fact, many people find that continuing to work can be helpful.
- Take time for yourself. Eating well, relaxing and getting enough rest can help combat the stress and fatigue of cancer. Also, plan ahead for the downtimes, when you may need to rest more or limit what you do.
- Stay active. Receiving a diagnosis of cancer doesn't mean you have to stop doing the things you enjoy or normally do. For the most part, if you feel well enough to do something, do it.
