When you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, self-care may be the last thing on your mind while you navigate treatment options, second opinions, and the fight that you have ahead. However, self-care during cancer treatment is vital for giving yourself the best chance at beating your diagnosis.
Self-care during cancer treatment looks different for everyone, but it usually includes making sure your basic needs are met along with some form of mental health care. Studies have shown that those who receive mental health care while undergoing cancer treatment have higher survival rates. However self-care looks for you, it’s important to embrace it.
The Basics for Taking Care of Yourself While Fighting Cancer
1. Maintain a Healthy Diet
While no one is going to stop you from indulging in a favorite treat if you’re up for it, keeping a consistent, healthy diet is an important part of self-care during cancer treatment. Your body needs fuel to have the energy to fight cancer and support the treatments you will undergo.
Many cancer treatments can be hard on the body, and some may make it difficult to eat. However, doing your best to maintain a healthy diet will help you throughout your treatment. If you’re experiencing nausea or loss of appetite, your care team may be able to recommend strategies, supplements, or medications that may help stimulate your appetite or quell your nausea.
2. Getting Enough Rest
Cancer is rough—mentally, physically, and emotionally. Fatigue is a very common side effect of cancer treatment, which is why it is so important to get enough sleep. Adults generally need seven to nine hours of sleep each night, and you’ll likely need more while fighting cancer. Try to prioritize the first few hours of sleep, which is when the body’s natural healing processes kick into gear. Embracing rest gives your body the resources it needs to withstand treatment and fight your cancer.
3. Stay Physically Active
We understand that fighting cancer and going through treatment can be exhausting. Light exercise like going for a walk, swim, or a bike ride may help you manage side effects and is an easy way to practice self-care during your treatment. Staying physically active is associated with better survival rates, especially for breast, colon, and prostate cancer.
Mental Self-Care for Cancer
Taking care of your mental health is equally as important as taking care of your physical body. People who have been diagnosed with cancer face immense challenges, and cancer can be both mentally and physically taxing. Practicing mental self-care can help you feel better while you’re undergoing treatment.
1. Set Boundaries
Boundary setting is an important life skill, especially when undergoing cancer treatment. It can be empowering to know that it’s okay to say no so you can prioritize your well-being. This might look like saying “no” to hosting a gathering, but it might also look like making your regular responsibilities less of a priority or even letting someone else tackle chores for you. Even if you are usually the person to handle these tasks, it is important to allow others to help you so that you can help yourself. You may also need to set visiting hours on certain days to allow yourself the rest that you need.
2. Stay in Touch with Your Support Network
Having a cancer diagnosis can be lonely and isolating, and for those who are used to being strong and independent, it can be a shock. Look to your support network to help you through the difficult emotional moments. If your support network is not as available as you would like, take advantage of support groups and similar resources. You are not alone.
3. Make Time for Activities You Enjoy
Cancer can easily take over every area of your life, which is why it’s important to make time for things that bring you joy. This could include existing hobbies, or you could pick up something new like crafting, baking, woodworking, gardening, or anything else that delights you. The options are truly endless!
When you make time for activities you enjoy, you create space to relax and let your mind and body slow down, which can help you feel better during a challenging experience like cancer treatment.
4. Keep a Journal
Journaling is a healthy way to process your emotions. Writing about your experience can help you express how you feel and release the fear, anxiety, stress, or other emotions you may feel. If journaling isn’t your thing, you may want to try art—even something as simple as coloring can help. Working through your feelings and emotions is an important part of self-care during cancer treatment.
5. Consider Working with a Behavioral Oncologist
If you’ve never worked with a counselor or therapist, you may be hesitant to work with a behavioral oncologist. However, even those who never worked with a therapist before have found a behavioral oncologist beneficial. This resource can help deal with the mental health impacts of cancer. Managing stress is important to help your immune system more effectively fight cancer.
The CHC’s Approach to Behavioral Oncology
At The Cancer & Hematology Centers, we care about the whole person—not just treating your cancer as a disease. We see you as a person, not a patient. We want you to have access to all of the resources we offer that can help you through treatment. That’s why we offer behavioral oncology to our patients to help manage the physical, mental, financial, social, and emotional toll that cancer can take.
Connect with Us for Behavioral Oncology
If you have been diagnosed with cancer and are looking for help with self-care during cancer treatment, contact us at The Cancer & Hematology Centers by calling (800) 411-7999.