| Of course it's easy to say 'don't panic' but hearing | | | | Of course it's easy to say 'don't panic' but hearing |
| the news that you have cancer is likely to test | | | | the news that you have cancer is likely to test |
| most of us. But in this article let's try and take a | | | | most of us. But in this article let's try and take a |
| calm look at the situation. The word we are | | | | calm look at the situation. The word we are |
| discussing is panic. We are not talking about worry | | | | discussing is panic. We are not talking about worry |
| or concern or even sadness or distress, all of | | | | or concern or even sadness or distress, all of |
| which are common responses to the news of a | | | | which are common responses to the news of a |
| cancer diagnosis. No, here we are discussing panic. | | | | cancer diagnosis. No, here we are discussing panic. |
| Allowing yourself to panic has no upside or good | | | | Allowing yourself to panic has no upside or good |
| aspect to it. You won't be thinking clearly, you | | | | aspect to it. You won't be thinking clearly, you |
| may make yourself sick and you could make | | | | may make yourself sick and you could make |
| mistakes because of your panic. In some cases | | | | mistakes because of your panic. In some cases |
| your diagnosis could even be wrong and, if so, | | | | your diagnosis could even be wrong and, if so, |
| you will have allowed yourself to panic without | | | | you will have allowed yourself to panic without |
| cause. | | | | cause. |
| The effects of panic don't bear thinking about. | | | | The effects of panic don't bear thinking about. |
| They are all negative. If you are diagnosed with | | | | They are all negative. If you are diagnosed with |
| cancer you must have your wits about you. The | | | | cancer you must have your wits about you. The |
| medical professionals will want to talk to you and | | | | medical professionals will want to talk to you and |
| explain your situation in detail. You will need to | | | | explain your situation in detail. You will need to |
| make a decision or three. You may well wish to | | | | make a decision or three. You may well wish to |
| ask questions or seek a second opinion or even a | | | | ask questions or seek a second opinion or even a |
| third. You will not be able to do these things in a | | | | third. You will not be able to do these things in a |
| state of panic. Learn some simple relaxation | | | | state of panic. Learn some simple relaxation |
| techniques. Sit or lie down in a quiet place. Breathe | | | | techniques. Sit or lie down in a quiet place. Breathe |
| deeply. Think positive thoughts. Aim to stay calm. | | | | deeply. Think positive thoughts. Aim to stay calm. |
| Don't panic. | | | | Don't panic. |
| Panic sets off different reactions within your | | | | Panic sets off different reactions within your |
| body. Your blood pressure can rise, your heart | | | | body. Your blood pressure can rise, your heart |
| beat increase and your head can spin and ache. | | | | beat increase and your head can spin and ache. |
| You are bringing on stress and discomfort | | | | You are bringing on stress and discomfort |
| because of your panic. The cancer diagnosis is | | | | because of your panic. The cancer diagnosis is |
| one issue. Do not make it worse by making | | | | one issue. Do not make it worse by making |
| yourself ill by allowing yourself to panic. | | | | yourself ill by allowing yourself to panic. |
| Finally you need to appreciate that many signs of | | | | Finally you need to appreciate that many signs of |
| possible cancer do not mean you have a | | | | possible cancer do not mean you have a |
| malignant growth. It might be benign. And even if | | | | malignant growth. It might be benign. And even if |
| is malignant, the treatment available may be able | | | | is malignant, the treatment available may be able |
| to remove the cancer or allow you to live well | | | | to remove the cancer or allow you to live well |
| while living with the disease. Facts are vital in | | | | while living with the disease. Facts are vital in |
| every case of cancer. Sometimes when a | | | | every case of cancer. Sometimes when a |
| famous person is diagnosed and their details made | | | | famous person is diagnosed and their details made |
| available to the world, some people think they | | | | available to the world, some people think they |
| have the same problem. There are many types | | | | have the same problem. There are many types |
| of cancer and many variations of the disease | | | | of cancer and many variations of the disease |
| within every type. Discover exactly what your | | | | within every type. Discover exactly what your |
| cancer is and all the options you have to fight it. | | | | cancer is and all the options you have to fight it. |
| To do this you need to be relatively calm. You do | | | | To do this you need to be relatively calm. You do |
| not need to panic. | | | | not need to panic. |
| One of your first steps is to ask questions. | | | | One of your first steps is to ask questions. |
| Doctors are there to help their patients. If you | | | | Doctors are there to help their patients. If you |
| are not happy with the answers you receive, feel | | | | are not happy with the answers you receive, feel |
| free to consult another doctor. Doing some | | | | free to consult another doctor. Doing some |
| research online is not in itself a bad thing but | | | | research online is not in itself a bad thing but |
| seeking answers from professionals is a good | | | | seeking answers from professionals is a good |
| path to tread. To discover what questions to ask | | | | path to tread. To discover what questions to ask |
| and to actually ask them means you need a | | | | and to actually ask them means you need a |
| steady mind. As hard as it may be, remain | | | | steady mind. As hard as it may be, remain |
| positive, ask as many questions as you wish to | | | | positive, ask as many questions as you wish to |
| and always avoid panic. | | | | and always avoid panic. |