Coping with the Shock After a Cancer Diagnosis: What You Can Do

How to cope up with the recent shock of cancer diagnosis?

Coping with a new cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming and intimidating. Most people feel like their world has gone upside down. As we all know, most people's reaction to a cancer diagnosis can be shock, disbelief, and fear. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed, fearful, and even numb. However, every person and their way to process a diagnosis are different from one another. There are healthy ways to cope with the emotional storm and take the first steps forward with strength and hope. 

Here are the healthy ways to cope with the emotional outbursts of a new cancer diagnosis. 

These may include:

1. Allow yourself to feel all the emotions!

A cancer diagnosis can bring out a mix of emotions, including fear, sadness, anger, confusion, or guilt. It’s important to validate your emotions and acknowledge these feelings rather than suppressing them. Try to vent your emotions out; talk to a friend or family member. If you are feeling low and want to cry, then do not hold back; cry out. Trying to give permission to yourself and starting to grieve and process the shock is the first step towards healing. 

Acceptance makes your healing journey more relaxing, and let go of any limited beliefs like "cancer is the end"—no, it's not. It’s a new beginning and a new life, which you are supposed to fight against with the support of immediate, effective treatments. You are not alone in this journey; we’ve got your back!

2. Collect more details, and confirm with more tests and scans.

If you are diagnosed with cancer, you start to get anxious, and it affects your overall health. Then consult a healthcare provider and ask any questions and doubts that make you feel heavy, including the type of cancer, treatment options, and their possible outcomes. 

Try to list down your questions and queries, and always accompany a friend or family member while getting your consultation.

3. Get an emotional support from family and friends

Never think that you are alone in this journey, and you don’t have to face it all alone. Always ask for support from your family and friends or support groups, whether in person or online. 

Talking to the same groups and cancer survivors who have gone through similar experiences can bring comfort and practical advice to your treatment journey. Getting emotional support helps you feel understood and less isolated generally. 

4. Focus on the treatments and their results 

You might feel less confident and powerless after your cancer diagnosis. However, taking accountability and taking charge of your life can often restore confidence and power. Being resilient and moving forward with willpower can change so many things in your life. 

Always remember that cancer is not the end of your life. It's the new life where you need to manage the diet. Keeping a journal and practicing relaxation techniques like meditation and breathing exercises help you to lower stress and anxiety.  

Do not miss any doctor's appointments; always plan your day accordingly. Try to focus and concentrate on manageable actions, which helps to reduce any feelings of helplessness.

5. Practice stress-relieving and self-care activities

Practicing stress-relieving activities such as mind-body practices like meditation, yoga, walking, or breathing exercises can ease stress and improve emotional balance. Getting enough sleep and rest along with consuming enough vitamin- and nutrient-rich foods helps to maintain a healthy body and mindset.

6. Seek professional help if needed 

If you are consistently feeling sad or anxious and hopeless about your current situation and future, then consider consulting a physician or a therapist. Asking for help is a sign of bravery. Do not hesitate to ask for help from a psychologist. They will provide many strategies and tips to cope with your emotional challenges and current anxious situation. 

7. Take it one step at a time

Do not overthink and stress about your whole treatment journey. Stop panicking about the how and why. If you are planning or looking too far about cancer treatment, it can feel daunting. Try to focus on the immediate steps, like the next steps, including your next appointment, your next meal, or your next relaxing activity.

If you start to focus more on the immediate steps of the treatments, breaking them into smaller steps makes them more manageable and less overwhelming.