Health Education for Cancer Patients and Their Families

Cancer affects several aspects of a patient's daily life, depending on the type of treatment they will receive and the stage of the disease. More specifically, the diagnosis and treatment of cancer are associated with numerous physical and psychological changes. Physically, a person with cancer may suffer from hair loss, pain, weight changes, bloating, fatigue, eating disorders, loss of control over urination or bowel movements, scars, or the removal of an organ. These changes also affect the psychological aspect of the person due to constant reminders of the illness. Psychologically, the person may experience a wide range of emotions and changes, including social isolation, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.

The ways to cope with these changes differ from person to person and depend on several factors such as past experiences, the individual’s state and personality. While these coping mechanisms may have been effective in the past for reducing psychological stress, they might not be sufficient in the case of cancer. Therefore, it is crucial for the patient to seek help from others, specialists, and individuals with prior experience of the disease, to receive advice on the appropriate coping methods. The best results are achieved when multiple strategies are combined. Below are some tips that can be offered to individuals diagnosed with cancer:

• Provide information about the disease: Gaining knowledge about the disease, diagnosis, and treatment methods helps the patient understand what to expect in the future, which can, in turn, help them feel in control and secure.
• Organize knowledge about the disease: After the diagnosis, the patient begins to receive an overwhelming amount of information about their health condition and the nature of the disease, either from healthcare providers or family and friends, which may lead to confusion and disorientation. Therefore, it is advised to provide only necessary information at this stage to help the patient deal with and gradually accept this vast amount of information.
• Seek information from trusted sources only: It is important to get cancer-related information only from specialists or reliable sources to avoid inaccurate and random information.
• Don’t hesitate to ask questions: If there are any questions that the patient cannot find answers to, they should not hesitate to ask the specialized medical team. It helps to organize questions by importance on paper to ask the medical team at the right time.
• Share with others: The patient can share the new information they acquire about the disease with close people to help them understand it better and make informed decisions about what to do during this phase of the illness.
• Document important information: It can be helpful to use a notebook or a mobile app to record important information such as side effects, unknown questions, and doctor’s appointments. This information will be useful for future treatments, follow-ups, and when consulting other doctors.
• Maintain physical activity: Exercise helps release endorphins, which improve mood. Simple exercises such as walking are sufficient, and if the patient prefers not to go outside or to the gym due to visible physical changes from cancer treatment, they can exercise at home.
• Practice relaxation exercises: Relaxation techniques such as massage, deep breathing, and guided imagery are recommended.
• Consult the doctor about how to alleviate side effects: The patient should ask the doctor how to ease side effects such as skin irritation, pain, and the use of prosthetics during treatment.
• Follow a healthy lifestyle: The patient should ensure they get enough rest and follow a healthy, balanced diet to maintain energy levels and reduce fatigue from cancer treatment.
• Seek help from family and friends: The patient should be encouraged to ask for help from family and friends with household tasks or other duties, and not refuse help. Instead, they should thank those offering help to encourage further assistance, which can alleviate physical and psychological pressure on both the patient and their family.
• Rearrange goals and priorities: During this phase, the patient is advised to focus on the most important life goals, engage in activities that provide a sense of accomplishment, and reduce stress and pressure on those close to them.

Additionally, there are general tips that the patient should follow:

1. Achieve an ideal weight and avoid weight gain during treatment. Overweight patients should seek professional help to lose weight safely after treatment and recovery.
2. Follow a healthy diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, poultry, and fish is recommended. Consumption of red meat, processed meats, sweets, full-fat dairy products, and fried foods should be minimized. There is no evidence that taking vitamins, herbal remedies, or supplements can help cancer patients live longer and some may even cause harm, so it is important to consult the doctor before using any supplements.
3. Exercise regularly: Physical activity can help maintain good health during treatment and after recovery. It is recommended to exercise for 10-15 minutes, with moderate to intense effort, to raise heart rate and breathing rate. Enjoyable activities such as brisk walking, swimming, and cycling can also be done.
4. Get enough sleep: Cancer patients often have difficulty sleeping. To improve sleep quality, it is advisable to avoid napping during the day, stay away from caffeine or coffee, and go to bed and wake up at the same time daily. Techniques such as yoga, meditation, and massage therapy can promote relaxation.
5. Take necessary treatment: Several treatment options are available. After undergoing treatment, the patient may need time to return to normal life, especially as many treatments cause severe fatigue requiring rest.
6. Follow-up with the doctor: The patient should have regular check-ups after treatment, typically every 3-6 months for 1-2 years, which may include blood tests or X-rays to monitor the cancer's response to treatment. If the patient has had breast cancer, they should undergo mammography annually for 5 years after treatment.
7. Advice for coping with psychological symptoms: Many cancer patients experience anxiety due to pain or other issues. New medications and therapies are effective in managing pain and discomfort. Psychological support is also crucial for patients, such as talking to family and friends or seeking professional counseling to help solve emotional struggles.
8. Maximize energy: Patients may feel energetic on some days and exhausted on others. They should engage in enjoyable activities on energetic days and rest on others. Activities like listening to music, reading, or spending time with friends can help alleviate fatigue.