Support for Oral Cancer Patients

Patients often feel a sense of relief after beginning treatment. At last you are doing it, battling the cancer cells in your body. Here are some notes on how you can cope better.

Shove away all the negativity. Some say that 100 per cent intentions create a hundred per cent result. This is your life, and your life is priceless. This on-going battle with cancer you have right now is the way that you will prove this.  Be able to laugh at yourself, and see the (black) humor of your condition.

Statistics show that about more than 43,000 Americans have been diagnosed with oral cancer. Within a year about 81 per cent of those who has had oral cancer treatment have survived. This is a large number, and where would you think would you fare? Always believe that you are part of this large chunk of first year survivors.

Photo from google

Take it one day at a time. Being completely cancer free is a journey.  It does not happen in an instant wherein with one treatment of oral cancer you will be healed already. This is a self-transformational journey that will challenge and measure your strength.  Take it one day at a time. The results you have now may not make you satisfied, but in another day, another week, or another month the results may be staggeringly successful. Commit yourself to have that fighting spirit as you reach the end of your goal being cancer free.

Prepare yourself for post treatment check-ups. Follow-up treatment for oral cancer is important. Even when the cancer is removed, there might be a chance for the disease to recur. Patients who have had oral cancer have a high chance of having developing cancer in their head and neck. Dental checkups will help ensure that your body has responded well with the treatment that you chose. Let your doctor inspect your mouth regularly and continue on visiting the dental office.

Choose the right medical team. Make sure that your Dentist and his comrades of other medical professionals know how you feel about your illness. Choose a doctor who communicates well and can answer whatever question you may have.

Find the right dental team (photo from google)

Talk about it. Talk to people who matter to you.  Talk to people who you know will listen to you with all their heart. Talk to a counsellor, a clergy man, your family and your friends. There are also support groups found online. Letting it all out may make it easier. This is the kind of support that oral cancer patients need.

If you are a family member or a friend of someone who has been diagnosed with oral cancer remember that there are no set rules for your support. The best thing you can give is yourself. Prepare yourself by arming yourself with knowledge about oral cancer. Make flexible plans for the future, ask permission from the patient, and be humorous about everything.  Also remember that you and the patient has shared wonderful moments that are not related to cancer, best to recall these and other hobbies. 

Dr. Cecilia Lontoc DMD is one of the best dentists. For more information or to schedule your dental checkup, please call (310) 782-6155  or visit our website at www.cecilialontocdmd.com