Read article Coping with soft tissue sarcoma
This page contains information about coping with soft tissue sarcoma. There is information about
Coping with soft tissue sarcoma
It can be very difficult to cope with a diagnosis of cancer, both practically and emotionally. You are likely to feel very upset and confused. Having treatment can also be a difficult time for many people.
As well as coping with the fear and anxiety that a diagnosis of cancer brings, you have to work out how to manage practically. There may be money matters to sort out. Who do you tell that you have cancer? And how do you find the words?
The coping with cancer section of CancerHelp UK contains lots of information you may find helpful, including information about who can help, counselling, financial issues, and much more.
As well as the support that should be available at your cancer treatment centre, there are support groups where you can discuss your feelings and fears with other people who are in a similar situation. Some of the sarcoma organisations can help you find a cancer support group near you.
You can view and print the quick guides for all the pages in the Living with soft tissue sarcoma cancer section.
Soft tissue sarcoma and its treatment may cause physical changes in your body. These changes can be very difficult to cope with and may affect the way you feel about yourself. Surgery for sarcoma may cause scarring. It can be especially difficult if you need to have a limb amputated. You will then need specialist rehabilitation to learn how to use a false limb (prosthesis). Such body changes can affect your self esteem and the way you relate to other people, especially close family and friends.
Another problem you may have to cope with is feeling very tired and lethargic a lot of the time, especially for a while after treatment or if the sarcoma is advanced. There is information about fatigue and cancer and treating cancer fatigue in the section about coping physically with cancer.
If you are having a sexual relationship, one or all of these changes may affect your sex life. There is information about how cancer can affect your sex life in the coping with cancer section of CancerHelp UK.
As well as coping with the fear and anxiety that a diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma brings, you may also have to work out how to manage practically. There may be money matters to sort out. You may need information about financial support, such as benefits, sick pay and grants. Who do you tell that you have cancer? And how do you find the words? You may also have children to think about. CancerHelp UK has information about talking to people about your cancer and how and what to tell children.
Just try to remember that you don't have to sort everything out at once. It may take some time to deal with each issue. Do ask for help if you need it though. It is likely that your doctor or specialist nurse will know who you can contact to get some help - they can put you in touch with people specially trained in supporting those with cancer. These people are there to help and want you to feel that you have support. So use them if you feel you need to.
You may need to have access to support staff, such as physiotherapists and dieticians. Social workers can help you with information about your entitlement to sick pay and benefits. They may also be able to help you with arranging any adaptations to your home that you may need. If you live alone, a social worker may be able to help by organising convalescence when you first come out of hospital.
The coping with cancer section of CancerHelp UK has lots of helpful information. There are sections on
- Your emotions
- How you can help yourself
- Who else can help you?
- Mortgages, pensions, loans and insurance, including travel insurance
If you would like more detailed information about coping with soft tissue sarcoma, contact one of the organisations on our sarcoma organisations list. They will be happy to help. They often have free factsheets and booklets they can send to you. They may also be able to put you in touch with a support group. There is also a soft tissue sarcoma reading list.
You can also contact our cancer information nurses. They would be happy to help.
We have details of counselling organisations that can tell you more about counselling and help you find sources of emotional support in your area.
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