Cancer is a word that can make even the most resilient of us apprehensive. A cancer diagnosis might feel like the end of the world for many of us, but it doesn't have to be. With the right mindset and effective coping strategies, it becomes a lot easier to deal with any adversity, even an emotionally devastating one like cancer.  According to a popular health e-publication, a new study suggests that a bright outlook could play a major role in how someone handles cancer treatments.  

We understand that coping with cancer can be overwhelming. Emotionally, it might be challenging to comprehend how you're feeling and what to do. So, we compiled a few tips to help you get started - here are eight tips on dealing with cancer's emotional fallout.

1. Express how you feel.  It is common to want to bottle up how you feel and keep your overwhelming emotions private. However, many people have found solace in expressing how they feel, allowing them to accept and move past the situation better. 
2. Look for the silver lining. A positive mindset, despite the adversity of the diagnosis, will keep you hopeful. It also helps you stay healthy and focus on your wellness, which is all the more critical at this time.   
3. Don't blame yourself for your diagnosis. It's natural to blame one's lifestyle or habits for causing cancer. But there are no clear indicators as to why some people do or don't get the disease, as cancer can happen to just about anyone. Try to avoid blaming yourself because it will only make you feel worse and not hopeful.
4. Take time to review your goals and priorities. Determine what's important in your life. Find time for the activities that are most important to you and add meaning to your life. It will help you prioritise your life and make you feel better about yourself and your situation. 
5. Don't force yourself to be positive. Don't push away your true feelings just because you're expected to stay positive all the time. That isn't possible for anyone, so when you're feeling down or upset, allow yourself to come to terms with your feelings.
6. Find ways to relax and stay active. Be it meditation, adult colouring books or your favourite hobby - do whatever you can to relax. It will help you be positive and more in control of the situation. Going for a walk and staying active will help take your mind off the situation, perhaps even providing some much-needed perspective on what's going on. 
7. Focus on what you can control. People have said that putting their lives in order, keeping to a daily routine, not missing appointments and making appropriate life changes have helped. It can prevent you from getting overwhelmed and feeling like the disease has destroyed you - remember, you can always choose the mindset to approach it.  
8. You decide when you'd like to discuss it. A cancer diagnosis is life-changing. It can be challenging to know how and when to bring it up with people, especially when loved ones may not know how to react. Choose to talk about it only when you're comfortable to open up.    

Coping with cancer can be one of the biggest challenges you might be experiencing, but you don't have to do it alone. With a robust support system and the right mindset, you can face this uphill battle head-on. It's important to not let it take over your life and your mind. And the best way to begin is by accepting and expressing how you're feeling. 

If you'd like to understand how to communicate about your or a loved one's diagnosis, our counsellors are only a call away. Feel free to reach out to them on our 24*7 toll-free numbers.   

   References:   

• https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping/feelings#other   
• https://www.healthline.com/health-news/can-positive-attitude-help-defeat-cancer#Screening-a-useful-solution