How to Retake Control While Battling Cancer

Building self-confidence to help battle againt cancer

Fighting cancer is not only a physical battle but also an emotional one. This is why, for patients undergoing cancer treatment, tending to their emotional needs is just as important as tending to their physical needs—and in some ways even more so.

Cancer treatment can change the way patients feel and the way they look. The end goal is to come stronger and better than ever, but the interim can be a challenge. While the way we look may be the last thing on the mind of a cancer patient, looking good may boost self-confidence and even help the healing process.

Self Confidence During Therapy

Cancer treatment can change the way patients feel about themselves. They may feel less confident about who they are and what they can do. Dealing with the cancer diagnosis and the treatment can make patients feel like they’re on an emotional rollercoaster.

Cancer treatment can also change the way patients feel about their body. Cancer and its treatment can mean changes to the way the body looks and how patients feel about their body.

Dr. Shyamali Singhal, an oncologist, knows the importance of self-care in patients recovery. This is why she recommends using Hope & Beauty self- care products.

Dealing With Body-Image Changes

Regardless of what treatments patients take, or how patients body looks after treatment, cancer survivals may feel differently about their body after treatment for cancer. They may be unhappy with their body size or shape or about scars from surgery. This can affect patients self-confidence.

Some patients worry about how their body changes will impact on relationships with others, especially intimate relationships. A change in body image may not affect the ability to have sex but it can make some patients feel less sexual.

These feelings are not uncommon. It may help to talk about one's feelings with their partner or other people who have had cancer.

Sharing Experiences Helps

Dr. Singhal believes that it is very important for patients to remember that they’re not alone. As of 2014, there were nearly 14.5 million cancer survivors in the U.S.—and that number is expected to reach nearly 19 million by 2024. Many areas in the U.S. have support groups where patients can meet up with others going through similar challenges—and if there are no local in-person meetings they can chat with support groups online.

When experiencing feeling low, sharing these experiences with others who understand can be invaluable, but it’s far from the only option.

Nutrition

It’s possible to gain weight or lose weight as a result of cancer treatment; both scenarios can take a toll on patients self-image, but proper nutrition can help maintain optimal weight while also supporting energy levels and strength. For best results, Dr. Shyamali Singhal suggests consulting a dietician who specializes in cancer patients. They can guide patients on what type of diet is best for their needs.

In many cases, a diet centered on whole, fresh foods, including plenty of fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, adequate protein, whole-grain carbohydrates, and antioxidants, will help patients meet their nutritional goals as well as weight loss/gain goals

Tips On Self- Care During Cancer Treatment

Self-advocacy is a powerful instrument to help patients succeed in the fight against cancer. For some, it seems to come naturally. However, many people struggle with the idea of speaking up for themselves, questioning authority or going against what they have been told.

These traits likely indicate that the person is a selfless, polite and thoughtful individual who tends to put the feelings and desires of others ahead of their own. This is a wonderful way to live, but while battling cancer, patients energy and focus must be primarily on their health.

Here we have some tips on how to take care of oneself:

Give yourself time to adapt to what you’ve been through.

Draw attention to your good points.
Consider wearing a scarf or wig if your hair has fallen out from chemotherapy.
Try to stay active and exercise as regularly as you can.

Empowerment Of Cancer Patients

From the first moment patients have been diagnosed with cancer, they may feel like being morphed into somebody else—a cancer patient, a victim, anyone but who they used to be. But help is out there. From cosmetologists who specialize in makeovers for newly sensitive skin to stylish head scarves to help deal with hair loss, patients now don’t have to lose who they are while fighting cancer.

Dr. Singhal recommends using Hope & Beauty self-care products because looking good often leads to feeling good, and we can use any help in these testing times, during the fight against cancer.