Looking after yourself when you are having treatment for cancer is just as important as the treatment itself.
Over the long term, drinking alcohol can increase your risk of serious illness. This includes heart disease, diabetes, liver disease, pancreatitis and seven different types of cancer. It is, however, never too late to start reducing how much you drink.
Cutting back on alcohol can have positive effects, often within a few days. In the longer term, drinking less will reduce your risk of several other health issues.
For more information, visit Drinkaware Home | Drinkaware
Many women experience symptoms of an early or temporary menopause following treatment for cancer.
However, this doesn’t mean that you need to put up with these symptoms. Your GP or cancer teams will often be able to help. If needed, they can refer you to a specialist menopause service.
Menopausal symptoms and cancer treatment | Macmillan Cancer Support
It's normal to experience fatigue when you are receiving treatment or have just completed it.
Fatigue is more than just feeling tired; it can have a massive impact on you, physically, emotionally and psychologically.
The links below will provide you will provide you with information on understanding fatigue and how you can cope with it.
Cancer and its treatment can have an impact on your sex life. It can cause changes:
- Physically - you may have side effects or symptoms that change how your body works or looks
- Emotionally - you may be dealing with stress, worry, or other difficult feelings
- Practically - your usual routines or roles may change.
These areas are often linked. If there is a change in one area, it may affect another area. Many changes caused by cancer treatment are temporary and will usually get better after treatment.
As you recover, you may find that your sex life goes back to the way it was. Although, some people might have to adjust to changes that last longer or may be permanent.
Sex and cancer | Macmillan Cancer Support
Cancer and your sex life - booklet | Macmillan Cancer Support
Getting a good night’s rest can see you springing out of bed in the morning, ready to take on the day ahead. A bad night’s sleep can leave you feeling tired, down and struggling to concentrate.
Just like regular exercise and a healthy diet, getting enough good sleep in an essential part of looking after your physical and mental health.
Here are some things to remember and tips to help you get a better night's sleep:
- Not everyone needs 8 hours' sleep – there is no ‘golden’ standard.
- What time do you need to be up in the morning? Count backwards 8 hours – this is your bedtime and 2 hours before that is ideally when you should be starting your bedtime routine.
- Try and get outside in the morning – Do a ‘world check’: think about your day ahead and take in the scenery.
- During the day: Tackle any worries when your brain is functioning – not at 3am.
- Physical activity can help, even a 10-minute walk can improve your quality of sleep.
- Avoid caffeine after 4pm – this can act as a stimulant and keep you from having a good night’s sleep.
- Avoid eating a heavy meal before bedtime.
- Try reading a book before bedtime, avoiding TV or social media – this makes us more responsive.
- Keeping your body cool in bed is a must for a good nights sleep – not top hot and not too cold.
- Have a pen and paper beside your bed, before you go to sleep write down all your questions/thoughts & worries - consider can I control this/can I influence that? And ‘put it to bed’ before you go to sleep. Writing this down may help.
- Remember, that despite everything you do, you cannot force going to sleep.
Stopping smoking is one of the most important things you can do for your health.
If you want to give up smoking it is never too late to stop. You can be referred to the smoking cessation service via you medical/nursing team or via your GP.
Sunburn increases your risk of skin cancer. Sunburn does not just happen on holiday, you can burn in the UK, even when it’s cloudy.
There is no safe or healthy way to get a tan. A tan does not protect your skin from the sun’s harmful effects.
Aim to strike a balance between protecting yourself from the sun and getting enough vitamin D from sunlight.
The British Skin Foundation has developed a handy guide on how to stay safe in the sun - How to stay safe in the sun | British Skin Foundation