Lifestyle modifications
After being told that your cancer is no longer detectable or almost insignificant, your healthcare team, including your oncologist and your primary care team, will help you get the necessary information you need for living your life.
There are a lot of lifestyle strategies and modifications that can help you to adjust to your new chapter. Some of these strategies are listed below;
- exercise regularly: it is advisable to exercise regularly, it will help you get back in shape and make you look refreshed. Studies have shown that exercising regularly has helped lots of patients adjust to their new reality.
- eat healthy meals: it is important to eat healthy meals and maintain a balanced diet. You can consult a dietician to help you plan a proper diet plan.
- adequate sleep: ensure you sleep regularly, consult your doctor if you are having difficulties in sleeping. Some studies have shown that breast cancer may recur in women who are diagnosed with insomnia.
- reduce stress: stress one contributing factor in recurrence. To prevent this, ensure you avoid things that will contribute to increasing your stress level. You should participate in activities that will help you relax.
- keep a journal: journaling helps you keep track of your progress. It also helps in clarifying your thoughts.
- avoid smoking: smoking is harmful to your health. Try to avoid smoking[5] as much as possible because it can damage your lungs, predisposing you to recurrence.
- join a cancer survivorship program: it is nice to share your experience with a support group. This form of therapy[6] has been proven to be helpful in helping patients adjust to their new reality.