Quality of life (QOL) is a term that refers to how a person feels about their physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being. To maintain QOL during and after treatment, a comprehensive cancer treatment plan from a multidisciplinary team is crucial. Cancer centers with specialized oncology care can provide this kind of support, but it is also essential for patients to take an active role in improving their QOL.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to improving QOL for cancer patients but there are some general things you can do to help yourself.
- Seek medical help from professionals you trust.
Pain, nausea, and other symptoms can interfere with daily activities and reduce QOL. It is essential to find a multidisciplinary health care team that you are comfortable with, so you can communicate openly about your concerns and expectations. They can provide you with the care you need, as well as medications and other treatments that can help manage your symptoms and improve your QOL. - Find ways to cope with stress and negative emotions.
Cancer diagnosis and treatment can be stressful, and negative emotions can impact QOL. There are several ways to manage stress and negative emotions, such as relaxation techniques, counseling, support groups, or spirituality. It is important to find a coping strategy that works best for you and helps improve your QOL. - Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help you feel better both physically and mentally. This includes regular exercise and balanced nutrition (as recommended by your oncologist), adequate sleep (as possible), and avoiding tobacco and alcohol. A healthy lifestyle can help boost your energy levels, improve your mood, and reduce your risk of other health problems.
Image Source: Freepik - Engage in enjoyable activities.
Image Source: Freepik Engaging in activities that bring you pleasure and meaning can improve your QOL. Whether it’s reading, gardening, painting, or spending time with loved ones, it is essential to make time for activities that make you happy and help keep your mind away from your cancer diagnosis.
- Seek social support.
Social support from family members, friends, or other cancer survivors who understand what you are going through can help improve your QOL. Talking to others about your experiences and emotions can help you feel less isolated and more connected to others. - Explore your values and goals for your life after cancer treatment.
Cancer diagnosis and treatment can make you reassess your values and goals in life. It is essential to explore what you want to achieve after cancer treatment and still take steps towards achieving your goals. This can help you regain a sense of control and improve your general mood. Improving QOL during and after cancer treatment is crucial for cancer patients. It helps maintain a sense of purpose and meaning in their lives. By following some of the suggestions above, you can improve your QOL and maintain a positive outlook towards the future.
Sources:
- Quality of Life for Patients with Lung Cancer: The Way Forward, The Lancet
- Quality of life of cancer patients, National Library of Medicine
- Improving Quality of Life, Cancer Support Community
- Patients’ quality of life during active cancer treatment: a qualitative study, BMC Cancer
