Your Care Instructions

Finding out you have cancer can cause a flood of emotions. You may feel angry, sad, or powerless. Emotions can be overwhelming to you and your loved ones. This time in your life may feel dark and hopeless.

However, many people survive and even thrive with cancer. Some types of cancer can be treated and cured. There are many treatments to control pain and improve your quality of life. Even if you cannot be cured, you do not have to suffer.

It is important to know that it is normal to have all of these emotions, or none of them. Everyone reacts differently. And your feelings may change often, without warning. It is common to go through any or all of these feelings:

• Anger, fear, or worry.
• Not believing that you have cancer.
• Feeling out of control and not able to care for yourself.
• Sadness, guilt, or loneliness.
• No hope for the future.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• Cancer can be very unpredictable. Learning to live with uncertainty is part of living with cancer.
• You may have some false ideas about how you "should" feel when you have cancer. Although some people with cancer suffer from depression, not all do.
• If you are depressed, talk to your doctor and get treatment. It will help you to feel better and focus on making good health decisions. Symptoms of depression include:
  • You feel helpless or hopeless.
  • You lose interest in being with family or friends.
  • You lose interest in hobbies or activities you once enjoyed.
  • You do not feel hungry.
  • You cry a lot, or for long periods of time.
  • You have trouble sleeping, or you sleep too much or too little.
  • You think about killing yourself, or you make plans or take action to kill yourself.
• Share your feelings with someone you can trust. It is okay to feel angry and frustrated. You will feel better if you can share these feelings with someone. Do not pretend to be cheerful if you are not.
• Know which family members or friends you can turn to for support. Find a good listener. You do not always want advice.
• Find a support group for people who have cancer. A support group can be a safe and comfortable place to talk about your illness.
• Let yourself grieve. But when symptoms get in the way of your ability to carry on with daily activities, talk to your doctor.
• Talk to your doctor if you are thinking about using any over-the-counter supplements or other natural health products. Some of them may not be safe if used with certain other medicines.

Where to get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

If you or someone you know talks about suicide, self-harm, a mental health crisis, a substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, get help right away.

• Call or text Canada's suicide and crisis hotline at 988.
• Call Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645 (4 p.m. to midnight ET).
• Kids or teens can call Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868.
• Go to the Talk Suicide Canada website at https://talksuicide.ca or the Kids Help Phone website at https://kidshelpphone.ca for more information.

Consider saving these numbers in your phone.