But won’t it use up energy my spouse should use to fight the cancer? Recent research is showing positive benefits of exercise for some people with cancer. Under the supervision of a doctor, moderate exercise and activity can help patients combat fatigue and maintain muscle strength, which can be diminished by surgery and other treatments. [...]

The cancer diagnosis, upcoming surgery, and possible chemotherapy and radiation therapy all seem so overwhelming. Where do I begin? First, identify your partner’s past coping techniques. Start by looking back on how he or she has coped with difficult situations in the past. People tend to use the same coping techniques to deal with difficult, [...]

Periodic mood swings and distress are normal for patients and family after a diagnosis of cancer and during treatments. However, these normal reactions may become severe enough for a person to experience symptoms of clinical depression, anxiety disorders such as phobias or panic attacks, or other treatable psycho-logical problems. In fact, some researchers estimate that [...]

Some people go through the entire diagnosis and treatment able to maintain a generally positive out-look, managing the medical care while balancing their daily lives. Anyone, however, may experience difficulty in coping. The following situations or characteristics may increase people’s distress:   Past negative experiences with medical treatments or hospitals Recent or unresolved losses (including deaths, [...]

Is this normal, or is he going crazy on top of having cancer? Every individual’s reaction to cancer is just that— individual. People have both negative and positive reactions to adversity, including a diagnosis of cancer. These reactions may include the following: Asking himself why he got cancer Feeling more isolated and alone Feeling vulnerable [...]

Expressing both positive and negative thoughts and emotions is normal. This is as much a concern for you as it is for the person with cancer. You and your loved one can balance your emotions by focusing on the positive in addition to recognizing the unpleasant thoughts. Think of this as  positive coping and not [...]

I have heard that “positive thinking” can help cure cancer. Does this mean I should discourage my wife from thinking negatively? Comment from Jean (a 46-year-old high school teacher, diagnosed with colon cancer): Sometimes I don’t feel so positive, and the rest of my family gets upset with me when I express negative thoughts, such [...]

Many people believe that stress, depression, or personal characteristics lead to cancer development and affect its growth. There are books written on the subject, and the media seem to report on this issue frequently.  Additionally, this belief is hard to challenge. People want to believe that there is a cause for their loved one’s cancer, [...]

Our lives have been out of control since my partner was diagnosed with cancer. How can we regain some control? Loss of control is a common feeling for people with cancer. Most aspects of their lives are going to be disrupted, at least temporarily. People with cancer may feel that their own body has turned [...]

Getting her to eat more isn’t necessarily the only solution to her weight loss. Check with her doctor to make sure you understand the possible physical reasons your mother is losing weight. If she seems to be eating her meals and is still not getting enough calories, you can increase the amount she takes in [...]

In general, a healthy diet is a balanced diet, one that includes a number of servings from the different food groups: fruits and vegetables, protein, grains, and dairy foods. Of these, fruits and vegetables contain the greatest number of  phytochemicals that are believed to prevent cancer or improve cancer  prognosis.Vegetables and fruits are also low [...]

Should I tell the doctor? Doctors and the medical establishment have been wary of complementary and alternative medicine for a number of reasons. Although some treatments, like traditional Chinese medicine, may represent a centuries-old body of knowledge administered by trained, professional practitioners, they have only begun to be evaluated for safety or effectiveness through biomedical [...]

Alternative medicines and complementary medicines recently have been described as all treatments that traditionally have not been offered to patients in hospital-based oncology practices, including dietary modification and supplementation, herbal products, acupuncture, massage, exercise, and psychological and mind-body therapies. They differ in that alternative therapy is often used instead of standard or “mainstream” medical care, [...]

I sometimes feel that I am doing too much for my father. The doctors and the physical therapist say he needs to do more for himself, including walking, preparing meals, and other things. How can I allow my father to do these things without feeling that I am neglecting him? A cancer diagnosis and treatments [...]

My adult daughter always seems to be complaining of being in pain or fatigue and generally not feeling well. I don’t think she is trying hard enough. Are her “unseen” symptoms real? If so, what can I do to help her? Yes, most likely her symptoms are real. Listening to your daughter’s complaints may be [...]

My Husband Says He Would Rather Die Than Live With The Surgery The Doctors Suggest. Can’t He Just Let His Disease Take Its Natural Course Without Subjecting Himself To This Treatment? Being diagnosed with cancer is a tremendous burden on anyone, and the ability to cope with feelings may be more difficult if someone is [...]

After the initial diagnosis, people with cancer and their families have to make medical decisions and sometimes are uncertain about what the “right” decisions may be. As the patient and family are making important decisions, stress levels are higher. A huge amount of information about cancer must be absorbed. People differ in how much they [...]

It is a good idea to contact the insurance company directly to determine whether the patient’s insurance policy will cover therapy involved in clinical trials. Some insurance companies will pay for all treatment expenses, including any added costs associated with clinical trials (if there are any). At the other extreme, insurance companies may decline to [...]

This is a hard question to answer, since clinical trials entail different potential benefits and risks depending on the individual, the cancer diagnosis and stage, and the treatment proposed. People often believe that they will get more scientifically advanced treatment if they enroll in a clinical trial. Some people with advanced disease who want treatment [...]

Advances in treating cancer often start in a scientific laboratory where potential therapies are first developed and tested. When one of these potential therapies shows promise in treating cancer, it is tested in many ways, including using animals to determine its possible effectiveness and safety. If the potential therapy passes these tests, then it goes [...]