If you have cancer, or are caring for someone with cancer, you probably have many worries and fears. You may be trying to deal with cancer treatment and its side effects. You may also be worrying about money or your job, or trying to cope with a family.
Cancer can bring many problems and anxieties. People often find that their usual ways of coping are no longer enough. It's quite normal to feel tense, fearful, even angry. But there are ways to manage and relax.
For more information on any subject mentioned here, speak with the Cancer Helpline on 13 11 20. This is a free and confidential service. Other people who can help include your doctor, nurse, dietitian, social worker and counsellor. Local councils and community centres can provide information and many useful services.
Some people become short-tempered or overactive. They cannot sit still or eat. Other people become tired, and feel as if they're thinking in a fog. Either way, it can be hard to think clearly and logically. You may feel anxious or depressed. Feeling you are not coping may make you even more anxious or depressed.
Tension can also cause headaches, stomach-aches, sore back and shoulders, indigestion and difficulty sleeping. Over a long time, anxiety and tension can make people exhausted and physically ill.
It is possible to learn how to cope with tension and a sense of panic. Here, we suggest some ways to cope. Whether you have cancer yourself or are caring for someone with cancer, it makes sense to take good care of yourself. Eat well, get enough rest, and pamper yourself occasionally.
There is no 'right answer'. Different methods work for different people. Experiment, and use what works best for you. Try not to make too many changes at once. Choose one or two things at a time to act upon. The key is to remain in control of your problems and anxieties, not to let them control you.
