During treatment
If you’re being treated for cancer, there are many things you can do to live well during treatment – from eating the right foods to caring for your appearance.
Nutrition is important. Eating healthy foods before, during, and after treatment can help you feel good and stay strong. Cancer treatment can affect the way you eat. You may need to change your diet during treatment. Your care team can help you identify your nutrition goals and plan ways to help you meet them.
You should also aim to be as physically active as possible during treatment, which can help improve your mood and self-esteem and how your body functions. Your exercise program should be based on what’s safe and what works best for you. Your doctor can let you know what type of exercise program is best.
Cancer as a chronic condition
Cancer can be treated, but sometimes it doesn’t go away. You might be receiving treatment that stops the cancer from growing or spreading, but it’s still in your body. Cancer can be a recurring chronic condition like asthma or diabetes.
You might hear your doctor use word like controlled or stable to describe your cancer. In this case, the cancer will be monitored to be sure it doesn’t start growing. Your cancer may also go into remission, which means the tumor has gone away or reduced in size for at least one month.
Living with chronic cancer can be difficult. Here are some things you can do to keep a good quality of life.
Learn how to manage your medicine. Be sure to take medicine exactly as your doctor prescribes. You can ask friends or family to help you stay on track or set a daily alarm on your watch, clock, or phone so you can remember to take your medicine at the same time and place each day. Keep a list of your medicines and make an appointment with your doctor to get a new prescription before you run out.
Go for your follow-up visits. Seeing your care team regularly will improve your peace of mind and your chances of finding any recurrence early. The earlier cancer is found, the easier it is to treat. Let your doctor and care team know how you’re feeling and discuss any concerns you may have. Be sure to get any tests your doctor recommends.
Make healthy lifestyle changes. If you smoke, try quitting. Limit your alcohol consumption, eat a healthy, balanced diet, manage your stress levels, and be physically active.