Post Cancer Care For Lung Cancer
After the treatment for lung cancer ends, you may have mixed feelings. You may feel relieved that the treatment is over and cancer is gone, but at the same time, the nagging feeling of the possible recurrence can negatively affect the quality of life.
Some would want to rush back to life as it was before lung cancer. They would want to travel, pursue a hobby, be with loved ones or resume work. Well no doubt, these things should be on your bucket list. However, the time post-cancer treatment is the time to focus on your health entirely.
You should work towards making health a priority to lower the risk of lung cancer coming back and improve your immunity. Here we discuss seven ways how you can care for lung cancer post the treatment[1].
1. Quit Smoking
If you have been smoking, quit it immediately as it will help lower your chance of a lung cancer relapse as well as from chronic diseases such as heart disease and high blood pressure[2]. If you find it difficult to quit, seek help. Talk to your doctor or join a quit smoking program.
It’s hard to give up a habit and may take several times before you get rid of it. However, it will be worth the effort. One should also steer away from second-hand smoke as it can also increase the risk of lung cancer coming back.
2. Eat Healthily
Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts (source of good fats – polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats), fishes and legumes in your diet. Cut back on red meats and bad fats (trans-fat and saturated fatty acids). Opt for low-fat dairy products. Avoid fast food and reduce your consumptions of cookies, which have notoriously high proportions of bad fats[3].
Your doctor may also prescribe some supplements to you. A healthy diet will provide your body with the nutrients and energy it needs to keep up throughout the day. It will also help your body fight infection.
3. Maintain Your Weight
Maintaining an ideal weight is essential to improve your health and quality of life[4]. Few steps to follow include –Inculcating healthy eating habits, making time for exercise and limiting your screen time (TV, laptops, computers, mobile phones etc.).
4. Follow-Up Appointments
Even though the treatment for lung cancer is over, make sure to go for regular post-treatment check-ups. You would need to have blood tests, chest x-rays, and some scans done probably every six to twelve months. Share any concerns you may have about your health with the doctor and the oncology team.
5. Be Active
Fitting an exercise regime in your daily schedule may seem difficult but its benefits are well the effort. Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. Set aside the same time each day. Regular exercises will help boost your health, improve mood, build stamina and fight fatigue. It may also cut the risk of other chronic diseases.
You can choose any activity that you enjoy – it could be walking, yoga, aerobics etc. If you had a lobectomy surgery, check with your doctor before commencing your exercise regime.
6. Check Out For Any Unusual Symptoms
Be on alert if you experience fever, pain, shortness of breath or irregular heart rhythm. Check for any swelling on the body or near the surgical wound. See a doctor if you see any of these symptoms.
7. Stay Connected
Rather than remaining disconnected from friends, family or social media networks, keep up with them. It will significantly improve your emotional health and quality of life.
Returning to normal life post-cancer treatment can be daunting. But, by developing healthy habits, you can lay the foundation for a long, healthy life that most lung cancer survivors enjoy.
References:
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc//PMC6476437/
- www.cebp.aacrjournals.org/2370
- www.oatext.com/diet-in-lung-healthy-food.php
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/PMC5395479/