Read article Coping with skin cancer
This page tells you about coping with skin cancer. You can use these links to go straight to sections about
Coping with skin cancer
Nearly everyone diagnosed with skin cancer will have simple treatment and will be cured. Even so, being told you have cancer can be very difficult. You may feel very upset and confused at first.
Coping with skin cancer that has spread
A very small number of people will be told they have advanced skin cancer that has spread. Once skin cancer has spread to another body organ, it is unlikely to be curable. You may feel very upset and confused at first. Being diagnosed with cancer that has spread is likely to bring up many emotions. Most people feel shocked and don't know what to think. This news can be devastating to hear. It will take time to sink in. Give yourself that time.
As well as coping with the fear and anxiety that a diagnosis of cancer brings, you may have other areas of your life to consider. You may need time off work while you are having treatment. And this may cause financial difficulties. Who do you tell that you have cancer? You may have children to consider.
The coping with cancer section of CancerHelp UK contains lots of information you may find helpful. There are sections about how you may be feeling, telling people about your cancer, helping yourself and finding outside help, sex and sexuality. There is information on practical issues such as financial matters including benefits and sick pay, mortgages, pensions, loans and insurance.
You can view and print the quick guides for all the pages in the Living with skin cancer section.
Although being diagnosed with cancer is always a shock, nearly everyone diagnosed with skin cancer will have simple treatment and will be cured.
Even so, you may have always thought of yourself as being healthy and being told you have cancer can be very difficult. You may feel very upset and confused at first. In time, the shock will fade.
A very small number of people will be told they have advanced skin cancer that has spread. Skin cancer that has spread to another body organ is unlikely to be curable. Being diagnosed with cancer that has spread is likely to bring up many emotions. Most people feel shocked and don't know what to think. This news can be devastating to hear.
It will take time to sink in. Give yourself that time. There is no right or wrong way to approach this. But it will help if you have someone to share your feelings with. Even when you are not sure how you feel yourself.
As well as coping with the fear and anxiety that a diagnosis of cancer brings, there may be lots of other areas of your life to consider. You may need time off work while you having treatment. And this may cause financial difficulties. Who do you tell that you have cancer? And how do you find the words? You may have children to think about.
The coping with cancer section of CancerHelp UK contains lots of information you may find helpful. There are sections about
- Your feelings
- Talking to people: who and what to tell
- Talking to children
- How you can help yourself
- Who else can help you
- Sex and sexuality
- Financial support, including information about benefits and sick pay
- Mortgages, pensions, loans and insurance, including travel insurance
- Coming to the UK from overseas
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