Table of contents:
- Tips for dealing with cancer patients
- 1. Find out how serious the stage of the cancer is
- 2. Take time to visit
- 3. Help him feel more comfortable and happier
- 4. Pay attention to the way you communicate with the patient
- You can do this:
- You must not do this:
- Guide to caring for cancer patients
- 1. Understand your duties as a chaperone
- 2. Do this if the cancer patient refuses treatment
- 3. Keep your body healthy
If a family member or friend is diagnosed with cancer, you may also feel sad, afraid, and anxious. When this happens, you have to know how to best deal with them. Moreover, if you have an obligation to care for him. No need to be confused, see the following tips and guidelines for dealing with and caring for cancer patients.
Tips for dealing with cancer patients
Cancer can attack anyone indiscriminately, including the people you care about. People affected by this disease not only feel the symptoms of cancer physically, but are also prone to mental health problems. Either under severe stress, unable to control emotions, or more sensitive.
This usually occurs because they feel the disease is incurable, are isolated in the hospital, are not free to carry out normal activities, or have sexual problems due to cancer treatment.
All these things make cancer patients desperately need support so that the treatment they are undergoing can run effectively and their quality of life will be better.
If you have family or friends who have cancer, here's how to deal with it and encourage it.
1. Find out how serious the stage of the cancer is
Cancer has several stages, starting from stage 1 which indicates the appearance of cancer cells to stage 4 which is a sign that the cancer cells have invaded healthy tissues or organs.
As a family or friend, it is important to know how serious the patient's condition is. With this, you will understand the patient's condition better and will not be surprised to see how he is when he is sick. Most cancer sufferers experience hair loss due to chemotherapy and are thin.
2. Take time to visit
Time is the most valuable thing for cancer patients, especially for those who have end-stage cancer. Therefore, visiting her several times in the hospital could make her heart feel better. This can also help reduce loneliness due to isolation with cancer treatments that must be carried out.
However, before visiting, you must first ask the patient about this plan. Especially if you want to invite other people, such as friends at school or colleagues.
3. Help him feel more comfortable and happier
In order to make your time and the patient better quality, take the time to bring things that he likes, for example magazines, music, DVDs, books. puzzle, and others. These objects can help patients reduce patient boredom during treatment in the hospital.
If necessary, you can also buy him gifts that cancer patients can use. Some gift options are blankets and soft socks to help keep her warm or a beanie hat to help cover her bald hair.
4. Pay attention to the way you communicate with the patient
You can interact with your friend in various ways, whether it's in person, by phone, or by text. The most important thing is to maintain a relationship by staying in touch.
However, there are rules that you must obey and avoid when talking to cancer patients as reported by Cancer Research UK, namely:
You can do this:
- Offer to be the listener, if he has something to say. Listen carefully to what he has to say. If you have something to discuss and the patient doesn't want to talk, don't be pushy.
- It's okay to say something funny so that the atmosphere isn't awkward, but make sure the joke doesn't offend him.
- Make body contact when you meet them if possible, such as holding your hand, stroking your shoulder, or hugging them.
You must not do this:
- Do not show your sadness in front of him excessively or say, "I understand how you feel right now." These words are inappropriate to say, because you don't have cancer yourself.
- Don't ask about the cause of her cancer and blame her for the unhealthy behavior or habits she used to do.
- When you see him crying, don't try to stop him. Simply being by his side, giving him a hug or a gentle stroke on the shoulder helps him to control his emotions.
- Don't ask about the estimated life span, if the cancer is already severe or tell other people you know who have the same disease.
- Avoid discussing the physical changes he has experienced as this could upset him.
Guide to caring for cancer patients
Cancer sufferers need help from others to care for them. If you are in the situation of being the person to take care of him, there are a few things to be aware of. Check out the following guidelines for caring for cancer patients.
1. Understand your duties as a chaperone
In treating patients, you must ensure that they follow treatment and adopt a healthy lifestyle, one of which is a cancer diet.
In addition, your presence is also very important to make it easier for patients to carry out daily activities, for example preparing food, cleaning the house, or taking care of themselves if they are unable.
2. Do this if the cancer patient refuses treatment
Apart from chemotherapy, cancer treatment is also available in the form of radiotherapy or hormone therapy. But the problem you face is not the treatment, but the cancer patient himself who refuses to take treatment.
When you are faced with this situation, forcing it is an action to avoid. Instead, try asking the reason why he kindly refused the treatment. Ask the doctor for help to convince the patient to want to undergo treatment. If the patient remains persistent, the best step you can take is to offer palliative care.
3. Keep your body healthy
Having an obligation to care for cancer patients is not an easy task. But don't let this make you forget to take care of yourself.
Don't forget to rest and keep your diet healthy. ask another family member to replace you if you need to take a vacation. If you feel depressed and stressed, don't hesitate to consult a psychologist.
