Braving the Examination
According to statistics there are nearly 18 million new cases of cancer yearly worldwide. In spite of the stunning number, more than 40% of malignancies are preventable with a high survival rate. Taking good care of one's health and having checkups regularly go far for early diagnosing and to stop the malignant growth right in its initial stage. For instance, breast cancer is effortlessly detected by a mammogram and, whenever found in the early phase, has a 5-year survival rate of 99-100%.
The mind has a tremendous effect in combating cancer and can work wonders with the help of modern medicine. The initial move towards recovery is the resiliency of the patient in deciding to live with hope. According to Tin May Lwin, professor at University of Computer Studies from Yangon who has battled cancer for over 20 long years, “Our state of mind is extremely important to the treatment process. If we believe that we will be cured, we will be cured. Believe me, if you think that you won’t make it, you won’t. I chose to live a happy life. Even though at the time I was also suffering from heart disease and diabetes, I did not allow them to rob me of my joys.” Numerous doctors have perceived how two patients of comparative ages and with a similar diagnosis, level of ailment, and treatment program experience immensely different results. One of the few main differences is that some of the patients are pessimistic and others are optimistic.
Fighting for What You Love
At the point when the mind suffers, the body feels it. It is scientifically proven that stress has actual physical manifestations. It is believed by experts that losing all hopes can really worsen the condition further, and moreover, being cheerful and having the will to live can definitely improve the condition, much more than the doctor’s expectation sometimes. For some individuals, this will to live comes from no different places except the love from family.
Role of Psychoneuroimmunology
Experts are currently exploring different avenues regarding strategies for effectively enlisting the mind in the body's battle with cancer, utilizing methods like biofeedback, meditation and visualization (making in the mind positive pictures about the things happening in the body). A few specialists and therapists presently accept that the appropriate attitude may even directly affect cell function and thus might be utilized to arrest, if not completely cure cancer. This new field of logical investigation, called psychoneuroimmunology, centers around the impact that psychological and emotional activity have on physical well-being, showing that patients hold a lot bigger part in their recuperation.
Life After Cancer
While some individuals are able to adapt well over time to life following treatment, many of them experience ongoing concerns and fear. One may find oneself in need of ample support, sometimes even more which was required When he or she was diagnosed or was under treatment. There are certain common feelings within cancer survivors that medical professionals have come across:
• People may feel less secure after stopping their regular appointments with their healthcare team.
• Some also feel lonely or isolated if their relationships have changed during the course of time and if people fail to understand what hardships the person has went through during the entire process.
• One of the most common fears observed is of the recurrence of their disease.
• People also face frustration as they think that their friends and family expect a lot from them and also because they are now unable to do things which they wish to do.
• Some feel anxious prior to follow-up appointments as they fear that these appointments might “bring it all back”.
• Financial pressure becomes a matter of fear for many survivors, and they may think that they have become a burden to their family.