Do You Have Cancer?
Do you think you might have cancer? Read this article to find out more about cancer and what you should do if you suspect you have cancer.
There are several symptoms associated with cancer. It is hard to put a complete list of symptoms together since there are several types of cancer and every patient reacts in a unique way to the cancer. A lot of medical websites list common symptoms as a possible cause for cancer: do not let this alarm you. There could be a lot of other reasons for your cough or your migraine. If you experience any kind of serious symptoms over a long period of time, the best thing to do is go to your doctor and describe all your symptoms in detail.
Only a qualified professional can diagnose you with cancer. Do not believe what friends, relatives or colleagues tell you, unless they have some kind of medical background. If your doctor suspects you have cancer, he or she will send you to the hospital so you can go through several tests. If your doctor believes you do not have cancer and will not send you to the hospital, do not hesitate to contact the closest hospital to schedule a cancer screening. You will know for sure whether or not you have cancer after going through one of these screenings. Tests and screenings are efficient most of the time, but they are not perfect. If your test turn out to be negative but the symptoms persist, you should go back to your doctor and schedule another test, perhaps in a hospital with better equipment this time.
Once you are diagnosed with cancer, the first thing to do is to establish a treatment plan. There are a lot of medical professionals you will be working with: get to know them and talk with your main doctor to find out how often you will have to schedule appointments with these different specialists. Your treatment plan will more than likely include chemotherapy: it is very important that you schedule these appointments ahead of time and take a few days off work every time so you can rest after each treatment.
Do not try fighting cancer on your own. Telling your friends and relatives will be hard but you cannot afford not to have them by your side through this tough experience. There are also a lot of support groups you can join: hospitals often have their own support groups and non-profit organizations raising money for cancer research often organize events where cancer patients can interact with each other. Spending time with other cancer patients will help you deal with this new experience: you will be able to talk with people who really understand what you are going through. If you need more than just friends, do not hesitate to go to a therapist for some counseling and support.
Cancer is definitely a tough fight. You have a better chance to win if you are diagnosed at an early stage, follow your treatment plan and do your best to adopt a positive attitude.
