How Do You Feel if You Have Cancer?

The following symptoms should not be ignored, and if they persist, immediate screening for the cause is to be done.

1. Unexplained weight loss even when the patient does not try to lose weight
2. Persistent fatigue or change in energy levels even after sleeping more
3. Persistent pain anywhere or throughout the body without any cause
4. Formation of painful sores or lesions in the mouth
5. Headaches that last for weeks and do not subside with over-the-counter medications
6. Bruising with slight pressure or simple hit on the skin
7. Frequent infections or an increase in body’s temperature and night sweats indicate weakened immunity seen with certain types of cancers
8. Changes in vision and hearing

Once cancer is confirmed, the patient’s mental health may be impacted and may fall into crisis. It is the duty of the doctor and the patient’s loved ones to understand the mental status of the patient and provide appropriate support.

All such emotions may include:

1. Shock:
   • The patients are at first shocked when they are diagnosed with cancer or learn cancer has returned or has progressed despite treatment. It can leave the patient confused and numb.
   • Shock can make it difficult to process information or accomplish routine tasks. The patient may even lose track of where they are or feel as if the time has stopped.
2. Denial:
   • Denial is the mind's approach to dealing with uncomfortable information, such as a cancer diagnosis. A brief period of denial might be beneficial in some ways because it allows the patient to feel less overwhelmed by the news.
   • Denial usually disappears in some time. However, it can be a problem if it lasts for more than a few weeks or months and prevents the patient from receiving treatment or making vital decisions.
   • True denial occurs when a person refuses to accept or acknowledge the diagnosis. This is unusual.
3. Fear:
   • A cancer diagnosis is terrifying. The patient may feel as if their life is out of control at times and have no idea what the future holds. This is especially true right after diagnosis, but these sentiments may come and go during and after therapy.
   • Fear and anxiety decrease for many people when they learn more about cancer and what to expect from therapy. The patient may feel more in command once they have established a therapy program.
4. Anger:
   • Anger is a common reaction to something that appears to be unfair. The patient may be angry with cancer, at healthcare experts, or friends and relatives, who are healthy or do not understand what they are going through. The patient may be upset with their God or even with themselves.
   • People may become furious instead of expressing other feelings, such as fear or grief.
5. Guilt:
   • The patient may question if there was anything that could have been done to prevent it or detect it sooner. The patient may feel remorse for how the sickness impacts their loved ones.
   • Patients should not be blamed for cancer.
6. Anxiety:
   • Anxiety indicates that the patient is overly concerned and unable to relax.
   • If the patient is worried about stress, they may meet a counselor or enroll in a class that teaches stress management techniques. The goal is to learn to regulate the stress rather than allowing it to control them.
   • The patient may have noticed certain signs, such as:
     • Faster heartbeats
     • Headaches and muscle pains
     • Either eat more or not eat at all
     • Always dizzy, shaky, or weak
     • Tightness in throat or chest
     • Sickness in stomach
     • Improper sleep
     • Difficulty concentrating
7. Isolation:
   • It is natural to feel lonely or alone once treatment ends. The patient will be spending a lot more time alone, especially during time off from work.
   • Even though the patient may be surrounded by family and friends, the patient may still feel lonely. This happens if the patient believes that the people around do not or cannot understand what they have been through.
8. Depression:
   • Many cancer patients are depressed. They mourn the loss of their health and the life they had before learning they had the disease. Even after they have completed treatment, they may still be sad. This is a typical reaction to any acute sickness. It may take some time to process and accept all the changes that are occurring.
   • Eventually, the patient gets depressed, feels tired, or refuses to eat. For some, these feelings fade or diminish over time. However, for other people, these feelings can become more intense, stay for long, and interfere with daily life.
9. Hope:
   • When patients acknowledge that they have cancer, they may develop a sense of hope. There are numerous reasons to be optimistic. Millions of cancer survivors are alive and thriving. The chances of surviving cancer are better now than they have ever been. People with cancer can live active lives even while undergoing treatment.
   • Some physicians believe that hope can help the body fight cancer. As a result, experts are investigating whether a hopeful view and a positive mindset may help people feel better.
   • Here are some ideas to increase the sense of hope.
     • Plan the days the same way as always
     • Never stop doing enjoyable things for cancer
     • Look for reasons to be optimistic
     • Spend time outside in nature
     • Consider religious or spiritual convictions
     • Listen to stories about cancer patients who are leading active lives