by Cancer is a disease that originates in the cells of the body. Under normal conditions, they multiply when the body needs them, and die when they are damaged or when the body no longer requires them.
The aforementioned condition occurs when the genetic material of a cell changes. This causes them to grow out of control, divide very quickly and do not die in the normal way, according to Medline Plus, the website of the US National Library of Medicine.
There are many types of cancer. It can appear in almost any organ or tissue, such as the lung, colon, breast, skin, bone, or nerve tissue, and the main risk factors for this to happen are the following:
- Exposure to benzene and other chemicals
- drinking too much alcohol
- Environmental toxins, such as certain poisonous fungi and a type of mold that can form on peanut plants called aflatoxins
- genetic problems
- Obesity
- radiation exposure
- Too much sun exposure
- Virus
However, the cause of many cancers remains unknown and studies continue to establish what the root of this condition is.
How to support these patients
The management of people who suffer from the disease is not easy and although there are no totally established norms, since each patient faces this disease in a different way, the support that can be given to them is decisive in helping them cope with their condition. These are some recommendations from the experts.
- Hear: According to the American Cancer Society, when talking to someone who has cancer, the most important thing is to listen. Trying to understand how they feel and not underestimating or looking for a change in the way the person is acting is important. However, before listening to a person with this condition, it is key to process your own feelings. It is important to take the time to acknowledge and deal with your own emotions about the diagnosis before seeing the family member or friend. In this way, the focus can be maintained on the patient, says the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
- Humor: Using a good sense of humor is an important way to help cope with the disease, as sometimes it helps to relieve stress and disconnect a bit from such a serious situation. However, before making jokes it is important to be sure that the person with cancer can cope with this with the corresponding humor. One of the recommendations is to let her take the initiative. For example, it is healthy if the patient finds something funny about the side effects, such as hair loss or increased appetite, and then what you can do is laugh with the person.
What should not be done
According to experts, while it’s good to try to be encouraging, it’s important not to display false optimism or tell the person with cancer to stay positive. This could be seen as a way to minimize real worries and fears or feelings of sadness.
