Find out what you can do, who can help and about how to cope with a diagnosis of lung cancer.
Your feelings
You might have a number of different feelings when you’re told you have cancer. You may feel shocked and upset. You might also feel:
- numb
- frightened and uncertain
- confused
- angry and resentful
- guilty
You may have some or all of these feelings. Or you might feel totally different. Everyone reacts in their own way. Sometimes it is hard to take in the fact that you have cancer at all.
Feelings are a natural part of coming to terms with cancer. All sorts of feelings are likely to come and go.
Counselling can help you to cope better with the difficulties you’ll face. It can help to reduce your stress and improve your quality of life.
Helping yourself
You are more able to cope and make decisions if you have information about your type of cancer and its treatment. Information also helps you to know what to expect.
Taking in information can be difficult at first. Make a list of questions before you see your doctor. Take someone with you to remind you what you want to ask and help remember the answers.
Ask your doctors and nurses to explain things again if you need them to.
Remember that you don’t have to sort everything out at once. It might take some time to deal with each issue. Ask for help if you need it.
Treatment causes side effects. These can be mild or more severe. Tell your doctor or nurse if you have any side effects or if they get worse. They can treat them and help you find ways of coping.
Talking to other people
Talking to your friends and relatives about your cancer can help and support you. But some people are scared of the emotions this could bring up and won’t want to talk. They might worry that you won’t be able to cope with your situation.
It can strain relationships if your family or friends don’t want to talk. But talking can help increase trust and support between you and them.
Help your family and friends by letting them know you would like to talk about what’s happening and how you feel.
You might find it easier to talk to someone outside your own friends and family.
You can call the Cancer Research UK nurses on freephone 0808 800 4040, from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Specialist nurses can help you if you’re finding it difficult to cope or if you have any problems. They can get you the help you need. They can also give you information.
Dietitians can help you with any eating problems you have. These might include difficulty eating or swallowing.