THE SECRETS OF THE C WORD

My take on a different side to experiencing cancer. This is for anyone who is going through the illness themselves or knows someone who is. I’ll be looking at what they don’t tell you…

The big C is the number one fear of the British public. Cancer is more feared than knife crimes, losing your job, and getting into debt. Yet with statistics which tell us that every two minutes someone in the UK will get diagnosed with cancer, and one in 3 of us will develop cancer at some point in our lives, it is no wonder that people are so frightened by the illness. Anyone who has experienced cancer to any degree will be fully aware that it is undoubtedly extremely upsetting for everyone involved.

However, the aim for this article is not to depress or scare anyone with the facts and figures that we hear all the time. I actually endeavour to do the opposite. What isn’t made as publicly known is that there are positive aspects that can come out of having cancer, or knowing someone who is going through it. So, if cancer is inevitably unavoidable I thought it would be beneficial to take a minute to forget about the negative aspects of cancer and focus on the positive, because there are some.

TALK, TALK, TALK

The key to dealing with cancer is communication. Simply by having a chat with friends, family, or even someone you meet throughout your day, unlocks the ability to rationalize, open up, and express your feelings. It is easy to assume that the people who are closest to you are mind-readers, but this isn’t the case. A little bit of patience and understanding is crucial to getting through the illness whether you are the sufferer or the supporter. You become aware of how much those around you really do care and will drop everything to be there for you. Also, it is important to realise that talking about cancer doesn’t always have to be depressing. It’s still ok to have a laugh and a joke. If you don’t have a giggle then you won’t be doing yourself any favours. Of course the positive aspect of having to communicate is that you become closer to those around you which naturally leads to stronger ties with both family and friends.

ON A HEALTH KICK

Whether you have cancer yourself or know someone who does, healthy eating and exercising are of great importance as you become very aware of what you are putting into your body. If you’re cooking nutritious foods for the person with cancer then the chances are that you will eat better yourself. Having a balanced diet makes a huge difference on your well-being and positive thinking. Both patient and supporter will most likely maintain a beneficial diet once the illness subsides, which can only lead to advantageous health benefits.

DOMESTIC GODDESS (or GENTLEMAN)

If you’re caring for someone with cancer you will soon find yourself attempting to do new tasks which are just a little bit alien to you. This could be cleaning, cooking, washing, and generally being more organised. It is not until you physically take on someone else’s jobs or chores that you can begin to truly appreciate how much that person does for you. Support from friends and family chipping in together allows the household to run more smoothly. Plus if you’re the one who does the food shopping you get to sneak in all the yummy foods!

DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL THINGS

Any experience of cancer whether you have it, know someone who has it, or just hear it mentioned on the news, serves as a reminder to appreciate the positive aspects of your life. Suddenly, the person who pulled out in front of your car or the thing you’re mad at your friend for becomes unimportant. Coping with cancer helps to put things in perspective and teaches you to toughen up. Something that was once the end of the world no longer is and you become more able to handle whatever’s thrown your way. It can only be beneficial to realise just how lucky you are and to not waste time being angry over things that really aren’t that important.   

A HELPING HAND

When cancer hurls itself into your life you are inundated with endless amounts of information and in turn, become a bit of an expert on the subject. You’re not just forced to learn about health and hospitals, but also about dealing with a rollercoaster of emotions and feelings. Although there are many highs and lows, sometimes in the same day, you become very tuned in and aware of your emotions. Coping with a constant stream of sensations not only shows you that you can deal with it but also allows you to help others. Once the illness subsides you are forever able to help, educate, and comfort those who also find themselves having to declare war on the battle against cancer.

Of course cancer is a fearful, saddening, and uncertain part of life to have to experience, but hopefully I’ve shown that cancer does have a positive side and can help you in life rather than destroy it.