While obstacles in life are inevitable, a cancer diagnosis can be particularly challenging to face.

“A cancer diagnosis can be completely disorienting; one day you are not aware of cancer, the next you have cancer and need to start treatment immediately,” says Mark Flanagan, LMSW, MPH, MA, a social worker at Cancer Wellness at Piedmont. “I have heard it described as a punch to the stomach. Many times, you have to start treatment so rapidly that you don’t have time to process the emotional weight of the diagnosis.”

A cancer diagnosis can be accompanied by:

• Anxiety about treatments and tests

• Chronic fatigue

• Family issues

• Financial stress

“Cancer doesn’t care what is going on in your life,” says Flanagan. “It doesn’t care if you don’t have health insurance, if you are having family issues, if you are struggling financially, if you have mental health issues or if you are going through other medical treatments. Almost anything challenging is compounded with a cancer diagnosis.”

Responding to adversity

There is no denying the difficulty of coping with a cancer diagnosis, but there are ways to approach it that can promote physical, mental and emotional well-being.

“While it is perfectly reasonable to be angry and upset, if we chose to deny what is happening, we will inevitably suffer because we spend our energy on pushing away what we don’t want,” he says. “If we choose to face our challenges and gently try to bring a level of acceptance to what is happening, we can spend our energy creating a life that is meaningful. When we respond with acceptance and a commitment to action aligned with our values, we will inevitably grow.”

Well-being during adverse circumstances

“No matter what you are facing, know that you are not alone,” says Flanagan. “Cancer can be an isolating experience, but doesn’t have to be. Know that your physician, social worker and medical team are there to help not only treat your illness, but also provide you resources to help manage it effectively. Asking for assistance is the first step to an effective holistic response to a cancer diagnosis.”

Flanagan recommends taking the following steps to improve your well-being:

• Talk to your care team. “They have resources and expertise that can give you a personalized plan for coping with your illness,” he says. “They can also make referrals to professional services like physical therapy, mental health services or nutritional counseling that can help you in specialized ways.”

• Establish healthy routines. “In general, the most important response is to maintain the basics: get enough sleep, water and food,” says Flanagan. “Do your best to keep a regular schedule. Your body likes a routine. This will put you in the best position to respond to adversity.”

• Seek support. “Reach out to family, friends or community groups,” he says. “A good support system can be the difference between a positive and negative treatment experience.” If you do not have a strong support system, talk to your social worker to determine how to get connected socially. “That could be through support groups, counseling, or connecting with people you may not have spoken to for a while,” he says.

• Nurture your whole self. “Try to do one thing every day for your mind, body, and spirit,” he says. “When you are dealing with something as complex and daunting as cancer, you want to keep it simple.”

Flanagan recommends diverse activities to incorporate mental, physical and spiritual wellness into your life:

• Mental wellness. Activities like meditation, talking with a friend or journaling can help you clear mental clutter and process your emotions.

• Physical wellness. Gentle exercise like chair yoga, stretching, tai chi, walking or light housework can get your body moving and increase endorphins.

• Spiritual wellness. Spend time on activities that bring you joy, such as visiting with your church group, drawing or painting a picture, writing a poem, drumming, taking a hike or reading a good book.

Adversity can help you grow

“In life, pain is unavoidable – it’s what we choose to do with that pain is what matters,” says Flanagan. “Often, the most challenging experiences can be the most growth-provoking. When we are most uncomfortable, we have the greatest possibility for transformation. When the night is darkest, we can most clearly see the stars. We start evaluating what we truly value in life and what is most worth our time and attention. Adversity caused by a cancer diagnosis can be the fuel that helps us make changes we’ve needed to make for a long time.”

Learn more about support during the cancer journey.