Did you say you have cancer? Let's talk about what to do now.

Finding out that someone has cancer is a difficult thing to deal with. You may feel a sudden surge of shock, fear, and perhaps anger. The first questions that come to mind are probably, "How serious is this?" and "What can I do?" These feelings are normal. So don't be discouraged. Once the shock of the news has worn off and you've had some time to process it, you need a plan of action. These are some of the things that will help you as you begin this journey.

Let's find out as much details as possible.

Your doctor will probably tell you the type of cancer, the stage it has spread to, the treatments available, and the prognosis. But it can be hard to remember all of that in the shock of the moment. That's normal. If you can, review your medical records, or meet with your doctor again, and write everything down clearly in a notebook.

Learn about your cancer status using trusted medical sources and information from your doctor. This will give you a better understanding of the steps ahead.

Find out about the next tests

Your doctor may order additional tests to further investigate your cancer and determine the best treatment option. For example:

• Biopsy: Taking a small piece of tissue for examination.
• Bloodwork: Checks for things like cancer markers in the blood.
• Imaging tests: Things like an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan.

Once the results of these tests are in, you can, if you wish, show these reports to another specialist and get a second opinion. That is your right. It is best to do so before starting treatment.

Sometimes we feel like we need to make a decision right away. But ask your doctor if you need to panic. You may be able to take a few days, a week, or even longer to think things through before making a decision. Don't panic and make decisions unless it's absolutely necessary.

Build a medical team to help you.

Cancer treatment is not something that one person does. It's a team effort. There are many different specialists who can help you on your journey. It will be a great help to know this team.

Research the treatment options carefully.

Your doctor will recommend treatment options based on the type of cancer you have, its stage, your age, and your overall health. The main treatment options include:

• Surgery: Surgical removal of the cancerous tumor.
• Radiation Therapy: Destroying cancer cells using high-energy rays.
• Chemotherapy: Giving drugs that kill cancer cells.
• Immunotherapy: Stimulating the body's own immune system to fight cancer cells.
• Stem Cell Transplant: A treatment method used for conditions such as blood cancer.

When discussing a treatment plan, be sure to ask your doctor these questions:

1. What is the goal of this treatment? (Is it to cure the cancer completely? Is it to control the growth of the cancer? Or is it to control the symptoms?)

2. What are the risks and side effects of this treatment?

3. What are the benefits of this treatment? How effective is it?

Knowing this information will make it much easier to make the best decision for you. You can also ask your doctor if there are any clinical trials that are available for you. These may give you the opportunity to try the latest treatments.

What is Palliative Care?

Many people are afraid when they hear the word ``Palliative Care''. But it is a specialized form of care that can be provided to anyone with a serious illness, at any stage of the illness. It can be provided in a hospital or at home.

This service looks after your physical, mental and social needs during treatment. For example, it helps you manage things like pain, fatigue and appetite. It can also help prevent depression and support your caregivers. This service starts from the day you are diagnosed. So don't hesitate to talk to your doctor about this.

Self-Care

When you're fighting cancer, you need to take care of yourself more than ever. Managing stress can help you improve your appetite, reduce insomnia, and cope with the fatigue caused by treatment.

Find some time to do things you enjoy. It could be reading a book, meditating, doing yoga, listening to music, or journaling. Spend time with people who make you happy. Laugh, enjoy nature, watch a movie you like. You may not have the energy you used to during treatment. But doing the things you enjoy as much as you can will improve your quality of life.

Ask for help from family and friends.

It's not just the medical team that needs to help you in your fight. Your family and friends are all there to help you.

Even though we often help others, don't hesitate to ask for help at this time . Think about what kind of help you need. Is it to go to the store and get some groceries? Is it to cook a meal? Is it to do some housework? Is it a ride to the doctor's appointment? Or is it someone who will listen to what you have to say?

Be clear about what you want and don't want. While many people are willing to help, they won't know what you need unless you tell them. It can also be helpful to join a support group where you can talk to others who are going through the same thing as you.

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