Because cancer is an intensely physically debilitating disease, many cancer patients find they suffer from mental and emotional side effects as they deal with physical changes and extreme methods of treatment. Along with worrying about the costs of health care treatment, some experience anxiety, fear, frustration and feeling of helplessness as they try to cope with the physical effects of the disease and its treatments.

While your doctors are always there to answer your medical questions and provide you with the best treatments to combat the physical effects of uterine cancer, you also need a support system in place to help you stay optimistic and help you deal with the emotional effects of it.

In this article, we will discuss some strategies for coping with uterine cancer, as well as give you ideas for how to create a emotional support system so you can stay strong through your fight against cancer.

Strategies & Coping Skills for Uterine Cancer

Although this article focuses on dealing with uterine cancer, any cancer patients can use the following tips to help them cope with their condition.

• Build a support system: While you are likely a strong person, there is no reason to go through the diagnostic and recovery process for uterine cancer alone. Along with surrounding yourself with family and friends, make doctors and other endometrial cancer patients part of your support system. Connecting with others who suffer from the same condition as you can be extremely helpful as you go through this experience.
• Know what to expect: Talking to your doctors, reading literature and getting answers to all of your questions are all important steps in understanding how doctors diagnose and treat uterine cancer. Knowing what to expect from the process will help you not only ease your anxiety over the unknown, but it will also prevent you from breaking down or becoming depressed if potential complications arise. Having realistic expectations is an essential strategy for coping with uterine cancer.
• Seek out alternative advice and treatments: Being proactive and talking to a variety of doctors (which is part of knowing what to expect) helps you take an active role in your treatment. Along with following the advice of your doctors, consider taking herbal supplements and getting acupuncture to help keep you optimistic, energized and anxiety-free.
• Stay active and involved: Depending on the stage of your cancer, try to stay active and involved in your hobbies. Although you may not be able to exercise as intensely as you had before you started cancer treatment, going for walks and getting out to see friends is important to staying connected to the world and keeping your attitude healthy.
• Talk out your fears and anxieties: Along with doctors, friends and family, you may want to consider getting a therapist or joining a cancer support group. While a therapist is especially helpful for those with extreme anxiety or depression, a cancer support group (especially one specifically for endometrial cancer patients) is a good place to talk out your fears and find tips for coping with cancer from others suffering from the same plight.

By following these tips for coping with uterine cancer, you can stay in good mental health, properly preparing yourself for long course of treatment.

Where to Go for Support

If you dont have any family or are simply looking for resources for support with dealing with uterine cancer, here is a list of places to go:

• chat rooms
• online forums
• support groups at hospitals, churches or local community centers
• therapists.

Resources

Mayo Clinic Staff (2006). Retrieved June 21, 2007 from: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/endometrial-cancer/DS00306/DSECTION=10.