What Effects Does Having a Positive Attitude Have on Cancer Patients?

There is a common misconception among cancer patients and supporters: a positive attitude will help you survive cancer. This belief has enough weight to cause doctors and medical experts to conduct studies to determine its validity; however, no evidence supports the claim that a positive attitude has any effect on the tumor’s growth. That being said, many doctors and oncologists encourage positive thinking to help the patient’s quality of life.

Attitude During Diagnosis

Everyone deserves the right to react how they see fit upon learning they have cancer. Some may experience denial or shock, while others battle feelings of despair and hopelessness. Take some time to figure out how to deal with your diagnosis; some negative thinking is bound to ensue. However, settling on a positive outlook can provide you with determination to tackle your cancer treatment head on. Of course, this will not affect your body’s ability to respond to your treatment or shrink the size of the tumor, but you can better manage your treatment and its side effects. Cancer does not need to completely ruin your life. A positive attitude can help you maintain a sense of normalcy.

Attitude During Treatment

Your doctors will most likely present a number of treatment options for your individual case. It’s important you explore all treatment options available to you before deciding on one or more treatments. Regardless of your decision, there are bound to be side effects. Maintaining a positive attitude can help you endure the pain that comes with cancer and treatment.

Both treatment and cancer can beat you down emotionally and physically. Some days will be worse than others, and it’s perfectly natural to have down days. You don’t always need to have a smile on your face, and even more so, you do not need to feel like a failure if you can’t maintain a positive attitude 100% of the time. During these trying times, there are things you can do to help keep that upbeat outlook:

• Get enough rest and sleep
• Exercise
• Stick to a healthy diet

If you’re exhausted or low on energy, treatment and daily tasks will become much more difficult. Make sure that you are still giving your body all it needs to keep your energy up, especially for days when treatment is taking its toll. Sleep, exercise, and a proper diet are essential to giving your body the strength it needs. If you’re are not getting enough rest, exercise, or vitamins and minerals, then you’re more likely to enter a depressive and defeated state.

Find Ways to Cope

Relaxation techniques, meditation, spirituality — these are just some of the ways you can cope with the emotional and physical turmoil your body will experience during your fight against cancer. Find a healthy coping mechanism that helps you in your times of need. Support groups may also be a great way to cope. If you bottle up all your emotions and frustrations without a proper release, you’ll find it difficult to maintain a positive outlook on your situation.
 
Remember, there is no medical evidence to support the notion that a positive attitude can help you beat cancer, but it can help improve your quality of life and your emotional well-being. Though you cannot will your mind to cure your cancer, you can find comfort and solace through positive thinking and effective, healthy coping mechanisms.