What should I do when I find out I have cancer?

Instead of worry, fear, grief or depression, go to your doctor for advice on appropriate treatment.

According to Dr. Zee Ying Kiat, senior cancer consultant at Parkway Cancer Center, Singapore, the diagnosis of cancer often evokes a lot of emotions for patients. Most of them feel skeptical, worried, scared, sad or depressed. Some are angry and depressed. Many patients think that cancer is a death sentence and feel helpless against what can be done to treat it. In general, these emotions and reactions are not good for health, but it is obvious when faced with a serious disease like cancer.

Family, friends and health care providers play an important role in helping patients face cancer. They can also help patients recognize depression and need treatment if needed. Nurses and counselors are often the main source of support for patients as well as caregivers, from listening to sharing to suggesting psychological control for patients.

Many people with cancer have been cured, especially when detected early.(Artwork: Thedailybeast).

Years of working in the field of cancer treatment, Dr. Zee said his daily work is to treat, accompany, guide patients and their relatives during the journey to fight the disease. The process begins by discussing the diagnosis, the treatments and the desired goals for that treatment.

An important message that Dr. Zee often shares with patients is that cancer treatment is constantly developing. Many people with cancer have been cured, especially when detected early. Even in the case of untreated disease, palliative treatment can relieve symptoms associated with the disease, as well as the ability to maintain quality and meaningful prolongation of life. Equipping patients with information, choices and a course of treatment is a necessary step in providing patients with a greater sense of control, helping them in their journey of confrontation and change.

Dr. Zee advises that people with symptoms of suspected cancer should seek medical care as soon as possible. In fact, more than half of patients who go to the clinic have vague symptoms, later diagnosed with cancer.

Today people start raising awareness of cancer screening. They know how to listen to their bodies, when strange signs appear and quickly seek medical attention. However, some people tend to let the symptoms worsen, actively hiding the disease because they are afraid that they will become a burden or think the treatment is useless. Dr. Zee was very sorry to meet cancer patients who died very quickly after the diagnosis, just because they didn't come to see the doctor early.

To prevent and detect cancer early, doctors recommend that people plan their annual cancer screening for themselves and their families, especially those in high-risk groups. Cancer screening is a cancer screening process for people who have no symptoms. The doctor can check the disease by asking a history of risk factors or directly examining the patient. Sometimes tests or images are needed to detect cancer at an early stage. Then therapies are more effective and the chances of getting better are not higher.

Screening not only helps to detect early but also helps prevent colon, breast and cervical cancer. The Singapore Ministry of Health has published guidelines for cancer screening. Accordingly, a person whose family does not have a history of colon cancer should start screening at age 50 through a test of stool immunity, colorectal endoscopy or colorectal CToscopy. For breast cancer, mammography screening should start at age 40, spread cervical cancer screening cells from 25 years of age to women who have had sex.

Some patients have symptoms of suspicion of cancer that the screening result is not cancer, the doctor will find out the cause of that unpleasant symptom and treat it. So Uncle Zee advised people not to try to endure the discomfort caused by the symptoms, and should seek medical help as soon as possible to get treatment and improve the quality of life.