Finding out that you have cancer changes your life. Making decisions about your care and facing cancer treatment may feel overwhelming. This is a time to become informed, find the support you need, and focus on what gives you hope.
Doctors and others may offer you lots of information about your type of cancer, your treatment options, and what will happen. It's a lot to take in.
If you have friends and family nearby who offer to help, accept their support. You might ask a family member or friend to organize the people helping you so you can focus on taking care of yourself.
If you need help, your doctor can connect you with local programs that can assist with support, meal deliveries, transportation to your appointments, and other needs.
This may be a difficult and stressful time in your life. But many people find a sense of hope that helps them through it. It may also help to know that current treatments are better than ever, and more people with cancer survive and live longer.
It may help to:
Fatigue, or feeling very tired, is a common side effect of cancer treatment. See if any of these ideas are helpful.
Pain that isn't managed can make fatigue worse.
Fatigue is often worse at the end of treatment or just after treatment is finished.
Walking and swimming are good activities to reduce fatigue. Slowly getting more activity may help.
Check with your doctor before you exercise. Exercise may not be good for some people with cancer, such as those who have a fever or anemia.
Fatigue is often the hardest part of treatment. It may affect your sense of well-being and your mood.
Ask your doctors to suggest good sources for cancer information. They may have information for you or may recommend trustworthy websites. And many hospitals have medical libraries that are open to the public.
A number of national organizations have websites you can trust. They include:
Current as of: September 8, 2021
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Elizabeth T. Russo MD - Internal Medicine
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise.org.
© 1995-2022 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
Follow Us
Disclaimer
Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Group Universal Life (GUL) insurance plans are insured by CGLIC. Life (other than GUL), accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and disability plans are insured or administered by Life Insurance Company of North America, except in NY, where insured plans are offered by Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York (New York, NY). All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.
Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details