What is cancer (general)?

People with cancer are living longer and better than ever. Everyone deals with cancer differently. What is important to you may change based on your experiences. You may appreciate your life, family, and friends more. But you also may need to adapt to the changes that cancer causes. Some of the changes, such as hair loss, are temporary. Others, like the loss of a breast or other organ, are permanent.

Getting back to normal can be a challenge. Allow yourself time to adjust. A positive attitude and a strong, fighting spirit can help you cope. You may come back stronger than ever. But you may not be able to do everything you did before cancer. If you notice changes in your ability to function, talk to your doctor about them.

You may be afraid that your cancer will return. But a healthy diet, regular exercise, and an end to unhealthy habits like smoking can improve your health.

Studies seem to show that daily aspirin use helps prevent some types of cancer, such as colon cancer. But daily aspirin use increases the risk of bleeding inside your body, such as in the stomach. The evidence isn't strong enough yet to convince experts that the benefits outweigh the risks.

It's best to talk to your doctor so that you understand the possible benefits as well as the possible risks. Your doctor might recommend a daily aspirin to help prevent cancer if:

• Your risk of cancer is higher than normal,
• And your risk of a problem from aspirin is low.

Waiting for a test result that could change your life may be one of the hardest things about cancer treatment.

Most doctors, labs, and hospitals are busy, and you may not want to bother them. But medical tests can provide information that's important to your future. And you have a right to know your results.

Here are some tips for following up on tests.

• Find out when you can expect the results. Ask what number you can call to check on your results.
• If you don't get your results when you expect to, call the number you were given. If your results are not ready yet, ask when they will be ready, and call back at that time.
• When the results are ready, ask to have a printed copy sent to you.
• Meet with your doctor as soon as you can to discuss your results and what they mean for you.

There are things you can do at home to help manage the symptoms of cancer and the side effects of treatment. Talk to your doctor about ways to care for yourself at home. Healthy habits such as eating right and getting enough sleep and exercise can help.

Everyone who goes through cancer has a time of adjustment afterward. This is part of your recovery, and it may take longer than you expect.

Give yourself time to make sense of it all.

It may be hard to make sense of how cancer has affected you. Be patient with yourself. Remember that there's no right or wrong way to feel.

Accept changes in your relationships.

Cancer changes families. Some of your relationships may be different now too. You may have grown closer to some people and feel disappointed in others.

Seek a sense of closure.

You might have a party to mark the end of your treatment. Or you may want some time alone to think about what you've been through.

Get help with moving on.

Cancer may continue to affect the way you think and feel. If you need help, think about counseling or connecting with a cancer survivor group.

Here are some questions that people with cancer often ask. You may have other questions that are important to you.

• What do I need to know about my cancer?
• What are my treatment options?
• What are the most common side effects of each treatment?
• How soon do I need to make a decision about treatment?
• Where can I get more information about my type of cancer?

It's a good idea to write down the questions you want to ask and take the list to your doctor visits. And it can help to have a friend or family member there to listen, take notes, and support you.

Some people use complementary therapies along with medical treatment. They may help relieve the symptoms and stress of cancer or the side effects of cancer treatment. Therapies that may be helpful include:

• Acupuncture to relieve pain and other symptoms.
• Meditation or yoga to relieve stress.
• Massage and biofeedback to reduce pain and tension.
• Breathing exercises to help you relax.

Talk with your doctor about any of these options you would like to try. And let your doctor know if you are already using any complementary therapies. They are not meant to take the place of standard medical treatment. But they may help you feel better and cope better with treatment.

• Cancer can be very unpredictable. Learning to live with uncertainty is part of living with cancer.
• You may have some false ideas about how you "should" feel when you have cancer. Although some people with cancer suffer from depression, not all do.
• If you are depressed, talk to your doctor and get treatment. It will help you to feel better and focus on making good health decisions. Symptoms of depression include:
  • You feel helpless or hopeless.
  • You lose interest in being with family or friends.
  • You lose interest in hobbies or activities you once enjoyed.
  • You do not feel hungry.
  • You cry a lot, or for long periods of time.
  • You have trouble sleeping, or you sleep too much or too little.
  • You think about killing yourself, or you make plans or take action to kill yourself.
• Share your feelings with someone you can trust. It is okay to feel angry and frustrated. You will feel better if you can share these feelings with someone. Do not pretend to be cheerful if you are not.
• Know which family members or friends you can turn to for support. Find a good listener. You do not always want advice.
• Find a support group for people who have cancer. A support group can be a safe and comfortable place to talk about your illness.
• Let yourself grieve. But when symptoms get in the way of your ability to carry on with daily activities, talk to your doctor.
• Talk to your doctor if you are thinking about using any over-the-counter or herbal supplements. Some of them may not be safe if used with certain other medicines.

Where to get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

If you or someone you know talks about suicide, self-harm, a mental health crisis, a substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, get help right away. You can:

• Call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
• Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
• Text HOME to 741741 to access the Crisis Text Line.

Consider saving these numbers in your phone.

Go to 988lifeline.org for more information or to chat online.

The stage describes how much cancer is in the body, where it is, and how far it has spread. The grade compares tumor cells to healthy cells. Knowing the stage and grade of a cancer helps doctors know what treatment to use. It also helps predict how long the person will survive.

Cancer stages.

The TNM method is based on the size of the tumor (T), the spread of the cancer into nearby lymph nodes (N), and the spread of the cancer to other body parts (M, for metastasis).

To describe the overall stage of a cancer, doctors may use stages 0 through IV. Stage 0 means the cancer hasn't spread. Stage IV means it has spread (metastasized).

Tumor grades.

A tumor's grade describes how its cells look. Tumors are generally graded from 1 to 4. A lower number means more normal-looking cells and a lower likelihood that the cancer will spread quickly.