Most people with cancer find that learning more about their illness and its treatment makes them feel less helpless. Knowing what to expect can make it less frightening too. The best person to talk to about your illness is your doctor or nurse, but there are plenty of books and web sites where you can read up on information for yourself. Ask your doctor where to go for reliable information from patient groups or fellow sufferers. Be selective in your search for information because too much information leads to confusion and uncertainties as well. The Patient Support Group section of this site can help you find a group in your country.

A diagnosis of cancer will affect every family in a different way. When one person is ill the other may try to perform all the tasks that are usually shared. This can be physically and emotionally draining, when what the family needs is strength and support. Ask your family what they are able to do and what they feel they cannot do. You may want to consider hiring someone to help, either in caring for the person with cancer or in helping around the house.

Changing roles to accommodate the new situation may mean that one person becomes the sole breadwinner, when this had been a joint responsibility previously. This can also be a difficult adjustment to make, and may mean that children are required to take on more responsibilities. If this is the case, ask friends or other family members for help, and try to set aside time each day for spending with the children doing something they enjoy. This can be as simple as reading them a story or playing a game.

A healthy, balanced diet can help maintain strength when you are ill. If you find you are experiencing side effects from the treatment you are receiving for cancer, try looking in our diet and lifestyle section for tips and hints to reduce these.