Cancer is a disease that none of us want to hear of. Even the symptoms of cancer shake the family and when this is confirmed, it seems like everything has stopped. Not just the person who got the disease but the complete family and the loved ones also get equally affected by the news. One of the common cancer types nowadays is lung cancer.
The only thought that comes to the mind after getting the news is how to handle the situation. Finding the right cancer support after a lung cancer diagnosis is what families need the most. From the right lung cancer treatment to the environment at home, everything has to be given due consideration.
Here are some ways to find cancer support after lung cancer diagnosis:
Talk to cancer survivors
Talking to the people who have gone through the same problem is one of the best ways to get ready to face the situation. From the treatment, side effects, changes in the body during lung cancer treatment, changes in routine life and much more, they can help you in every way by sharing their personal experiences. They can tell you about different resources to get motivation and encouragement to fight the battle with cancer.
Understand your diagnosis and treatment plan
People usually start cursing their destiny when diagnosed with cancer, which is not at all the right approach to handle the situation. Instead, you should try to understand the diagnosis and treatment plan by talking to your doctor.
You should talk to your doctor to understand which type of lung cancer you have got and what is their treatment plan for the same. For instance, the main types of lung cancers are Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) and Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and treatment for both is different. Chemotherapy and radiation are the treatments for SCLC while for NSCLC in addition to chemotherapy and radiation, surgery and immunotherapy are the other options.
Get emotional support
In addition to the lung cancer treatment, finding the right techniques to copy with the situation is another requirement. There are many organizations and cancer support communities that provide emotional support to patients. They provide individual counseling to equip patients with the way to cope with the emotional challenges caused by a lung cancer diagnosis. As the news of cancer affects both the person as well as the loved ones, getting the right support is essential for all.
Talk to your health care team
As lung cancer is a complex problem with equally complex treatment, there needs to be clear communication with the health care team. Go prepared with your questions when you visit your oncologist and try to understand the diagnosis and treatment process. Ask your questions and get all your doubts cleared. You can also search online to know how to talk effectively to your health care team.
As per the studies, lung cancer patients who started getting supportive care and the right treatment immediately after the diagnosis lived longer than those who just relied on the treatment. So, pay due attention to cancer support along with the treatment like chemotherapy and radiation to get an improved quality of life.