Lifestyle Changes to Manage Testicular Cancer
by
Michael Jubinville, MPH You can make changes in your life that will:
General GuidelinesQuit SmokingSmoking raises the risk of other health problems. It slows healing and causes harm to the body. When you quit smoking, the body heals itself right away. Quitting will help boost your immune system to help fight the cancer. It will help you feel better while you’re getting treated. It will also lower your risk of future cancers. Lower Your Risk of InfectionCancer and how it’s treated slow the body's immune system. This can raise the risk of infection. It also makes common ones more harmful. To lower your risk:
Change How You EatEating the right foods will help your overall health, energy, mood, and how fast you can get better. Getting cancer treated can lower your hunger level. You need to be able to get the most from the foods you eat and stop weight loss. A dietitian can help you plan meals. Exercise RegularlyIf you have not been exercising regularly, check with your doctor before you start. Even light exercise can help you feel better. It will also make you feel better during times of stress. Exercise will boost your:
Talk to a personal trainer to help you set goals. Be sure to balance rest and activities so you don't get too tired. Manage FatigueFeeling very tired is the most common with cancer and how it’s treated. To help from getting overtired, list your tasks and focus on what needs to be done first. Let others help you with daily chores, shopping, and making meals. Make sure to plan to get rest when you need to. You will also feel more tired if you’re not eating right. Talk to your doctor if you’re so tired that it makes it hard for you to get through the day. Seek SupportFinding out you have cancer is a major event that can be hard to handle. Facing a serious illness, feeling anxious about treatment, changes in your life, and worrying about cancer’s impact can be overwhelming. You will need to rely on family, friends, and other people in your life. People who seek help when they have cancer can often keep better emotional balance. Other sources of support are:
Family and caregivers may also need support. Have them seek support groups or counseling geared toward them. Comfort MeasuresTesticular cancer found in later stages can be harder to treat. Some people choose ways to ease related health problems or to stop treatment completely. It may be realistic to begin end-of-life planning. This may mean:
If you need guidance, talk to a member of your healthcare team. You can be referred to an expert who can guide you through the process.
References:General information about testicular cancer. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/testicular/patient/testicular-treatment-pdq#link/_1. Accessed October 3, 2020. Stay healthy. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/healthy.html. Accessed October 3, 2020. Testicular cancer. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T907377/Testicular-cancer. Accessed October 3, 2020. Last reviewed September 2020 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board Mohei Abouzied, MD, FACP Last Updated: 12/18/2020 |
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