Talking
Talking about your diagnosis can be comforting and can help you feel less anxious and more in control.
The South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust website includes information about psychology and therapy in cancer services and local or national support options that are available to support cancer patients’ and their carers’ psychological wellbeing.
Coping
There are many unpleasant thoughts and feelings that a cancer diagnosis and living with cancer can trigger.
You may feel sad, angry or scared and these feelings are normal. As best you can, try to be kind and compassionate to yourself when you have these feelings.
The following steps may help you to manage your feelings and emotions.
Relaxation exercises
Relaxation exercises can help you to manage stress, reduce anxiety and improve overall wellbeing.
Abdominal breathing exercise
- Sit in a comfortable, relaxed position.
- Focus your attention on your breathing. Do not try to change your breathing for the moment. Become aware of how fast or slow you are breathing.
- Place one hand on your upper chest and one hand on your stomach just below your rib cage. Relax your shoulders and hands. As you breathe in, allow the stomach to rise, and as you breathe out, allow the stomach to flatten.
- Allow your breath to become regular.
- If any distractions, thoughts or worries come into your mind, allow them to come, then allow them to go, and bring your attention back to your breathing.
- When you are ready to end this exercise, take a few deeper breaths in and out.
These guided exercises will help you to practice relaxation.
Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan is there to help everyone with cancer live life as fully as they can. Whether you need help paying bills, advice on benefits or treatment, or just want to chat, Macmillan is there for you.
Macmillan Information Centre has information regarding Macmillan services in Middlesbrough and Northallerton, and there is a weekly “Just Talk” drop in at the Trinity Holistic Centre at James Cook Hospital, on Fridays between 11am-1pm.
Macmillan HOPE Programme
HOPE is a licensed programme developed by Coventry University and Macmillan Cancer Support to help people who have had, or have cancer to get on with their lives.
The course concentrates on focusing and rediscovering people’s inner strengths and resilience to help them cope emotionally, psychologically, and practically.
Time is spent in facilitated discussions, group activities, information sharing and tools for them to try at home in between each session. The course deals with:
- Goal setting and action planning
- Looking for solutions to problems
- Stress management (mindfulness and relaxation)
- Fatigue management
- Identifying your strengths
- Becoming more positive, grateful, and appreciating life more
- Healthy lifestyles (eating more healthily and physical activity)
- Prioritising the important things in life
- Fear of cancer recurrence
- Body image, sexuality, and intimacy
- Communication skills
If you would be interested in attending the HOPE Course, please contact your local Macmillan Information Centre or your health care team.
Macmillan also offer The Online HOPE programme.
MyWellbeing Space
My Wellbeing Space is an online resource designed by patients and carers for patients and carers, developed to help you before, during and after cancer treatment by providing good quality information and support, whenever you need it.
This digital course by MyWellbeing Space covers the main components of prehabilitation, which are physical activity, nutrition and emotional wellbeing.
The six sessions don’t need to be viewed in a particular order however, it is suggested you watch session 4 after completing session 1, as both focus on physical activity.
Social support and connection
Spending quality time with friends or family, talking to someone about how we are feeling or finding ways to help other people can all help stop you from feeling lonely and support your mental health and wellbeing.
Trinity Holistic Centre
Based at The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough and the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, the Trinity Holistic team is a charitable service supporting patients with cancer and other long term conditions, as well as their families.
You can benefit from complementary therapies such as mindfulness and hynoptherapy, to support you through your cancer journey.
Services are free to cancer patients under a South Tees consultants – just ask your cancer team or email [email protected].