Women who have lived through a serious illness often develop a new perspective on life. They may see things differently than they did before they were diagnosed with cancer. Regardless of how cancer may change a woman, it is important that she continue to pay special attention to her physical and mental well-being. Having anxiety about cancer returning or recurring is common, and will decrease as the time passes after her initial diagnosis.
The doctor and nurse will give the patient specific tips on maintaining her health. Depending on the kind of cancer she has been treated for, and her age and general health, her doctor will tell her how often she will need check-ups.
Health needs of cancer survivors differ from person to person. However, there are some things that all cancer survivors can do to foster good health. These include:
Eat a nutritious diet. In general, eating a nutritious diet is recommended for any patient living with cancer. A healthy diet is one that includes foods from the four food groups: fruits and vegetables, proteins, grains, and dairy foods. If you have special dietary needs as a result of your cancer, a registered dietician can teach you how to design a nutritious menu. Eating well keeps bodies strong and full of energy so they can do the things they need to do.
Exercise. The doctor will advise the patient to exercise or be as active as possible. Some cancer survivors find that walking is a good form of exercise and relaxation. The health care team can approve exercise plans or suggest ones that might be better suited for her as she regains her physical strength. If cancer has limited a woman's ability to exercise, her doctor or physical therapist can suggest new ways to exercise.
Rest. In addition to being active, it is also important to rest. If the patient is feeling back to normal physically, she might not want to dive into everything she did before her diagnosis. Easing back into the life she lived before cancer will make this time of transition easier and less stressful. Cancer survivors should get plenty of sleep and pace themselves. If the patient feels overwhelmed, she should set short-term goals for herself. She should take one day at a time until she is ready for more.
Communicate. The patient should continue to have good communication with her health care team and let people help her. Even though her treatments are over and she is no longer making frequent trips to the hospital or doctor’s office, she may still feel emotionally and physically exhausted. Patients should talk about these feelings with their doctor, nurse, or social worker as well as talk about it with their family and friends. A network of help is available to cancer survivors through support groups, counselors, clergy members, and other spiritual leaders.
It is important to remember that the journey with cancer does not end when the cancer is gone.
Content Source: Women's Cancer Network
https://www.wcn.org/articles/quality_of_life/living_with_cancer/overview/
