|
||
|
||
|
||
|
Coping with change
It’s natural to feel scared, upset and sad when you’ve been diagnosed with cancer or are having treatment. Even if you’ve finished treatment, there will still be times when you feel sad and worried and find it difficult to enjoy life.
Dealing with cancer and its treatment can mean that
 your life may be threatened you may lose part of your body through surgery your body may change – such as hair loss during treatment you may lose some independence and freedom you may lose some friends who can’t face your illness you may important work contacts you may have to make big changes to your life.Coping with these changes may make you feel less confident to say or do things, and you may be unsure about making future plans or continuing on with the way things were before you had cancer. This is normal.
Having negative feelings won’t delay your recovery. Everyone finds their own way through the cancer journey.
Change in body image
Cancer can change how you feel about yourself. Some changes are temporary, but some – such as loss of a breast or limb – are permanent. You may have to get used to a colostomy bag or scars from surgery. Sometimes reconstructive surgery or artificial body parts (prostheses) may make these less noticeable. It takes time for you (and others) to get used to these changes. You may feel less attractive. Some people find that appropriate physical activity – sport, yoga, dancing classes, exercise – improve their body image. Creative activities like painting, playing music, woodwork etc can also increase your self confidence.
Look at the presentations from the Cancer, body image and sexuality forum.
 Top |
Info & support 
