Cancer--Living with Cancer

On this page

Basics

• Summary
• Start Here

Learn More

• Related Issues
• Specifics
• Genetics

See, Play and Learn

• Videos and Tutorials

Research

• Statistics and Research
• Clinical Trials
• Journal Articles

Resources

• Find an Expert

For You

• Children
• Teenagers
• Men
• Women
• Patient Handouts

Summary

Cancer is common. Half of all men and a third of women will get a diagnosis of cancer in their lifetime. Many people with cancer do survive. Millions of Americans alive today have a history of cancer.

For most people with cancer, living with the disease is the biggest challenge they have ever faced. It can change your routines, roles and relationships. It can cause money and work problems. The treatment can change the way you feel and look. Learning more about ways you can help yourself may ease some of your concerns. Support from others is important.

All cancer survivors should have follow-up care. Knowing what to expect after cancer treatment can help you and your family make plans, lifestyle changes, and important decisions.

NIH: National Cancer Institute

Start Here

• Adjustment to Cancer: Anxiety and Distress (PDQ) (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
• Cancer Diagnosis: 11 Tips for Coping (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Cancer Diagnosis? Advice for Dealing with What Comes Next (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
• Communication in Cancer Care (PDQ) (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
• Coping with Advanced Cancer (National Cancer Institute)
• Coping with Cancer (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish
• Emotional Side Effects (American Cancer Society)
• Facing Forward Series: Life After Cancer Treatment (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
• Family Life (American Society of Clinical Oncology)
• Power of Writing (American Society of Clinical Oncology)
• Spirituality in Cancer Care (PDQ) (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
• Support Groups: Make Connections, Get Help (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
• Taking Time: Support for People with Cancer (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
• When You and Your Family Differ on Treatment Choices (American Society of Clinical Oncology)

Related Issues

• 3 Steps to Building a Personal Medical Record (American Society of Clinical Oncology)
• About Survivorship (American Society of Clinical Oncology)
• After Cancer Treatment (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
• Cancer Survivors: Managing Your Emotions After Cancer Treatment (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
• Cancer, the Flu, and You (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
• Coping with Cancer after a Natural Disaster (American Cancer Society)
• Coping with Fear of Recurrence (American Society of Clinical Oncology)
• Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
• Follow-up Medical Care After Cancer Treatment (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
• Food Safety for People with Cancer (Food and Drug Administration)
• Infections in People with Cancer (American Cancer Society)
• No Appetite? How to Get Nutrition during Cancer Treatment (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
• Nutrition in Cancer Care (PDQ) (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
• Palliative Care in Cancer (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
• Prostheses (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish
• Survivorship (American Society of Clinical Oncology)
• When Cancer Returns (National Cancer Institute)
• When Someone You Know Has Cancer (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish

Specifics

• Cardiopulmonary Syndrome Overview (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
• Chemo Brain (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Chemotherapy Effects (American Cancer Society)
• Delirium (PDQ) (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
• Depression (PDQ) (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
• Diarrhea: Cancer-Related Causes and How to Cope (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Fatigue (PDQ) (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
• Gastrointestinal Complications (PDQ) (National Cancer Institute)
• Guide to Controlling Cancer Pain (American Cancer Society) - PDF
• Hot Flashes amd Night Sweats (PDQ) (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
• How Will Cancer Affect My Sex Life? (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish
• Low Blood Cell Counts: Side Effect of Cancer Treatment (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Lymphedema (PDQ) (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
• Mouth Sores (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish
• Nausea and Vomiting (PDQ) (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
• Pain (PDQ) (National Cancer Institute)
• Pain Control: Support for People with Cancer (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PDQ) (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
• Pruritus (PDQ) (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
• Side Effects (Management) (American Society of Clinical Oncology)
• Sleep Disorders (PDQ) (National Cancer Institute)
• Three Good Reasons to See a Dentist Before Cancer Treatment (Pictographs) (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research)

Genetics

• Genetics Home Reference: familial adenomatous polyposis (National Library of Medicine)
• Genetics Home Reference: Lynch syndrome (National Library of Medicine)
• Genetics Home Reference: mycosis fungoides (National Library of Medicine)
• Genetics Home Reference: Sézary syndrome (National Library of Medicine)

Videos and Tutorials

• Understanding Cancer Prognosis (National Cancer Institute)

Statistics and Research

• Statistics: Number of Cancer Survivors (National Cancer Institute)

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Cancer and Quality of Life (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: Prevalence and determinants of depression in caregivers of cancer patients:...
• Article: The impact of informing diagnosis on quality of life in...
• Article: Are spiritual interventions beneficial to patients with cancer?: A meta-analysis...
• Cancer--Living with Cancer -- see more articles

Find an Expert

• American Cancer Society
• National Cancer Institute Also in Spanish
• Organizations That Offer Support Services (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish

Children

• Coping with Cosmetic Effects of Cancer Treatment (Nemours Foundation)
• Late Effects of Treatment for Childhood Cancer (PDQ) (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish

Teenagers

• Dealing with Cancer (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
• When Your Brother or Sister Has Cancer: A Guide for Teens (National Cancer Institute) - PDF

Men

• Fertility Issues in Boys and Men with Cancer (National Cancer Institute)
• Sex and the Man With Cancer (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish
• Sexual Health Issues in Men with Cancer (National Cancer Institute)

Women

• Fertility Issues in Girls and Women with Cancer (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish

Patient Handouts

• Coping with cancer -- finding the support you need (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Coping with cancer -- hair loss (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Coping with cancer -- looking and feeling your best (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Coping with cancer -- managing fatigue (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Dealing with chronic cancer (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Returning to work after cancer: know your rights (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Safe drinking during cancer treatment (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Safe eating during cancer treatment (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish