Your doctor must determine if a symptom or screening test result that implies cancer is caused by cancer or by another condition. Your personal and family medical history may be discussed at first, followed by a physical examination. Lab tests, imaging tests (scans), and other tests or procedures may also be prescribed by the doctor. A biopsy may also be required because it is frequently the only way to determine for certain if you have cancer.
On this page, we discuss some of the common tests for cancer diagnosis. You might have further testing as well, depending on the symptoms you have. See the PDQ cancer treatment summaries for adult and pediatric cancers to find out more about how particular tumors are diagnosed. Each specific type of cancer is covered in-depth in these summaries, along with images of the diagnostic procedures and testing.
In This Article...
Should I disclose my cancer to anyone?
The timing of telling your loved ones that you have cancer is entirely up to you. The news that someone has cancer has shocked everyone. When they are in a position like this, most people need and want to talk to someone. Giving close pals a heads-up can even be more crucial for single persons without nearby supporting family members. Plan beforehand so you can respond when they ask how they can assist by telling them what they can accomplish. Compared to those who live with others, persons who live alone frequently have a few extra demands.
Informing your loved ones might occasionally assist you grasp the reality of what is taking place. Some people discover that as their family and friends ask inquiries, they start to think about other difficulties and start to solve problems.
Consider how much you want to divulge. You might want to describe the type of cancer you have, any potential treatments, and your prognosis (or prognosis). Write down any questions you have as you converse with people so you can share them with your cancer care team later.
How should I inform my aging parents that I have cancer?
It will be easier to navigate challenging talks if you are prepared. Spend some time considering how you feel, who you want to tell, how to tell them, and when to do so.
Figure Out How You Feel
Finding out how you feel is a fantastic starting step. Understanding your feelings enables you to manage your feelings and decide what kind of support you most need. When people inquire about how they can assist you, you will be more prepared to respond.
Grief over receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis at first may seem debilitating. You can feel numb, bewildered, despondent, or horrified. To acquire the emotional support you require, take some time to reflect on your sentiments before sharing them with your closest loved ones.
Determining Who to Tell
You get to choose who you share with. You’re not required to inform anyone you know.
Making a list of the people you wish to speak to in person could be useful. Then you can compile a fresh list of acquaintances and friends, and ask a friend or relative to inform them.
Consider who to notify at work if you are employed. You don’t have to inform your coworkers, but you might have to let them know that you could need time off from work due to a medical issue.
Consider When and Where
Consider the best time and location to inform your loved ones. It will be difficult for loved ones to get the news. You want to do it at the right moment and location.
If there is a preferred time and location for having such a conversation, you might wish to get in touch and let them know. They might be able to offer a place and time, and if not, you can come up with something on your own.
You are not required to inform everyone right away. You have time to consider your emotions. When you’re ready, let folks know.
Think About How You Want to Do It
Writing in a journal or considering how you wish to communicate with others may be helpful. Simply stating, “I have cancer,” at the beginning of a sentence is neither rude nor improper.
Discover what works for you by experimenting with various strategies. It’s acceptable if you experience emotional upheaval or require emotional or practical support.
How much you want to disclose is entirely up to you. You are not required to disclose every aspect of your diagnosis or course of therapy.
Consider who you are speaking to and whether you need to adjust your language. This is crucial when discussing cancer with kids or teenagers.
The two-week rule is what?
A “Two Week Wait” referral is what? A “Two Week Wait” referral is when your general practitioner (GP) asks the hospital to schedule an urgent visit for you because you are experiencing symptoms that could be cancer-related.
I have cancer; how do I inform my wife?
Given the strong emotions involved, talking about cancer can be difficult. Even couples who normally get along may find it difficult to discuss cancer. Couples may not want to talk about some subjects when discussing a cancer diagnosis. This could involve issues with reproduction, physical restrictions, money difficulties, or even death.
General communication tips
Talking openly and honestly about your ideas and feelings with your spouse or partner is a sign of good communication. Sharing your experiences, listening to your partner, and embracing your partner’s thoughts and feelings without passing judgment or placing blame are all parts of this process. It is difficult and not always easy to communicate effectively. It takes work and practice.
Here are a few pointers for effective communication:
Use active listening techniques. When you actively listen, you put more effort into comprehending what your partner is saying than into planning your next move. Rephrase what your partner stated, for instance, in your own words. After that, seek feedback to confirm that you comprehend your partner’s perspective.
Do not presume to know what your spouse is contemplating, experiencing, or planning to say next. If something is confusing, ask more questions.
Instead of criticizing your partner, use “I” phrases to express your emotions. Say something like, “I was sad when you didn’t accompany me to the doctor’s appointment.” As opposed to blame, this statement is less likely to put the other person on the defensive and spark a disagreement.
Be explicit and precise. For instance, the word “hurt” can also imply “sad” or “disappointed.” Making a request instead of blaming or humiliating your partner is more successful. Instead of saying, “You’re so untidy,” try saying, “Please don’t leave your socks on the floor.”
Instead of pushing through when you’re unhappy or furious, it can be more beneficial to use a calming technique, like taking a deep breath or leaving the room.
Keep the dialogue flowing. Consider your options carefully before speaking. Allow time for your partner as well.
Concentrate on a particular subject at a time. Do not bring up previous debates or themes.
Expecting to overcome challenging issues in a single talk is unrealistic. Accept the offer to discuss the topic again later.
Speaking with a third party could be beneficial for both of you. This person could be able to assist in sorting out various points of view.
Tips for talking with your spouse or partner about cancer
Both individuals in a relationship need assistance when cancer alters their life. Here are some suggestions for how to approach the subject of cancer, your feelings towards it, and how it affects your relationship with your spouse or partner.
Discuss and research treatment alternatives together. Even while the final treatment decision rests with the cancer patient, giving both partners the opportunity to discuss the possibilities strengthens the union. If at all feasible, go to your doctor’s appointments together so that you can discuss shared information.
Pick moments to talk that are both distraction-free and unhurried. For some couples, making a daily or weekly discussion time commitment works effectively.
Discuss the subjects you usually do. It’s not always necessary to bring up cancer.
If you have anything challenging to communicate, think about drafting notes for yourself or practicing what you want to say. Your values may be prioritized and your major concerns may be revealed as a result.
In order to determine whether you individually have different needs, talk about how you handle stress in conversation. For instance, while one spouse may see cancer as a problem that needs to be fixed, the other may just require emotional support. Recognize the value of both of these answers.
Talk openly about your emotions, both good and bad. Cancer often causes people to experience emotions including rage, anxiety, irritation, and resentment. Because they are afraid of offending one another or feel guilty for having unpleasant thoughts, couples frequently avoid talking about these emotions. Hiding emotions makes relationships distant and prohibits couples from soothing and supporting one another. On the other hand, it could be challenging to hear that your partner is unhappy or guilty.
Discuss your differing feelings with your partner while also showing respect for theirs. For instance, one of you might occasionally experience fear while the other would experience hope.
Tips for the spouse or partner who has cancer
Describe your mental and physical state to your partner. Sharing enables your partner to better understand your difficulties and gives them a chance to support you.
Tell your partner what kinds of encouragement and support you specifically require. You could require inspiration one day to leave the house. You could require some alone time later on in the week.
Getting help
You might think about seeing a counselor if talking to your spouse or partner is challenging. This person can assist in resolving communication issues and can help you navigate challenging talks. You could perhaps each decide to join a support group. Both spouses and partners of those who have been diagnosed with cancer can find support groups. A forum for learning about others’ experiences discussing cancer in close relationships is provided via support groups.
Should I confess my cancer to my boyfriend?
You are not required to disclose your cancer to everyone you date. Even while cancer may have played a significant role in your life, it does not define you. However, you ought to disclose this information to anyone you plan on having a meaningful, long-term relationship with.
How do I notify my family that my cancer is terminal?
Finding the right words to use while informing the people you care about that you have a serious or terminal illness is one of the most difficult tasks.
What say you? When will you inform them? And how do you broach difficult subjects like whether you want to be buried or cremated or whether you want life support removed?
You can be concerned about how loved ones will react and desire to shield them from the unfavorable reality. Your family and closest friends ought to know, according to the specialists at Capital Caring, which provides daily services to more than 1,000 people in the Washington, D.C., area who are coping with grave illness. Additionally, a lot of people discover relief after sharing their diagnosis with others.
So how do you spread the word about it? There is no one correct method. One can:
- Tell one close family or friend who you can trust, and ask them to tell the rest of your loved ones.
- Individual meetings with relatives and friends to discuss your health should be scheduled.
- Hold a “family meeting” to go over the information.
- To speak with your family or to be present with you while you do so, ask a doctor, nurse, or social worker.
How family members and other close friends will respond is impossible to foresee. Other people may cry, some people will become numb, and some people will be glad to step up and take the role of the “go-to helper.”
What can they do to help will be a common question. Telling them what it is if you are aware of it can prevent them from coming up with their own solutions, which may or may not be what you need. You could desire:
- When you’re having a particularly difficult day, have someone sit next to you and hold your hand.
- to discuss your condition and diagnosis a lot
- to discuss topics other than your ailment and diagnosis
- individuals who will encourage you to engage in your favorite activities
- Friends to assist you with the menial tasks of daily life, or in taking care of children or pets
How should I describe my cancer journey?
When I learned the horrifying news that I had cancer, I had two kids, was 41 years old, and led a hectic life.
My life and body were irrevocably altered when I received a stage IV breast cancer diagnosis. My immediate surroundings were a medical whirlwind. If I wasn’t at a doctor’s office, I was either on hold with one or doing online research. Through tests, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, I lost my hair, a breast, and more than a year of my life. Naturally, it didn’t stop there. Cancer is always present in the form of a pink elephant in the room.
I was curious as soon as I received a diagnosis. I wished I had access to a girlfriend’s breast cancer manual. I began a blog while receiving treatment to update my loved ones on my progress. I tried to describe my situation on the blog and shared the tips and methods I was learning as I went along.
I was inspired by the notion that helping other women and their families through sharing my cancer experience would inspire them. Writing my book, Bald is Better with Earrings, took two years from that point on. Breast Cancer: A Survivor’s Guide to Overcoming It (HarperCollins 2015).
Don’t shy away from support
The number of people who have gotten in touch with me since the release of my book has touched me. Recently, Tiffany, a lady whose doctor discovered a spot on an MRI a year after she ended her cancer treatment, contacted me. Tiffany learned the news as she and her husband were preparing to leave on a trip. She wasn’t certain whether or not to inform him. Although she was sad, she didn’t want him to be concerned. She believed that she was meant to be brave and refuse the support that she sorely neededsupport that, according to research, actually improves women’s outcomes during treatment.
The concept of the “ideal breast cancer patient” is constantly presented to us. To put it another way, a warrior who only consumes organic food, dons the ideal amount of makeup, proudly dons a beard, founds a nearby charity, and of course, is capable of walking or running great distances in fundraisers. She doesn’t appear to require assistance to manage her hectic life. Because of this, receiving a breast cancer diagnosis frequently leaves you feeling under pressure to be flawless while battling for your life. It’s simple to become brainwashed into believing that we must always act as fighters.
I had to learn some difficult lessons about who I am and what I need via my personal cancer journey. I discovered my boundaries and my capacity for resiliency. I permitted myself to set boundaries. I had to learn how to ask for help and how to not push myself too hard. Not simply you are involved. Try to give them that feeling; those around you want to feel as though they are contributing.
I was inspired to become a patient advocate by women like Tiffany. The women I encounter who battle for their lives on a daily basis inspire me so much. They deserve a future free from fearone in which we don’t require as much awarenessfor themselves and their girls. People must be reminded that breast cancer is not the cause of anything. Every single day, not only during October, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this illness impacts actual women and men.
Writing about your cancer experience
I started writing a blog initially mainly to stop my friends and relatives from contacting me eight times per day. But I also discovered that documenting my experiences helped keep me mentally stable. I was able to express my feelings and learn more about my treatment thanks to it. Even a new career was a result of it.
Create a blog. To let everyone know how and what you’re doing, consider starting a blog. Set a daily writing goal and stick to it. It is not necessary to have much. Even a few words or a picture will do. On platforms like CaringBridge and MyLifeLine, where you may make your writing public or private, it’s simple to set up your blog. Having a blog can help you stay in touch with loved ones. You never know who might learn from you if you make one public.
For yourself, write. Try maintaining a record or journal about your experience with cancer if blogging isn’t your thing. Include any questions you have regarding your health and therapy, as well as how you’re feeling each day. Keep a record of your level of energy. Tracking trends during treatment can be incredibly helpful with these notes. Or they can just be a tool for you to keep tabs on things in general. I believe that chemobrain is genuine. I can’t recall!
Look for assistance. Find a group that you can share your struggles with, in addition to using writing as a release. No one can comprehend it as well as someone who has been there. A support group can be contacted over the phone, the internet, or in person. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t follow any unqualified medical advise. even I cannot!
I have cancer; should I inform my mother?
I’ve come across a lot of resources that offer guidance on how to notify your kids you have cancer.
The other generationyour parentsare a concern, though.
I don’t assume to know what’s best for you and your family because family relationships can be difficult, but some guidelines might be useful.
In general, it’s a good idea to be honest about your cancer with your parents. It takes energy to keep secrets when that energy would be better used on your own rehabilitation. And someone else will probably inform them if you don’t notify your parents.
Even though your cancer is frequently treatable, you should be ready for your parents’ very emotional reaction to the news of your diagnosis.
When they hear the word “cancer,” they will automatically fear the worst. A parent’s worst nightmare is losing their child.
Sometimes issues with parents develop because they are merely trying to assist. This is especially true if they attempt to exercise control or influence treatment choices. You might need to gently remind them that any decisions pertaining to your sickness must be made by you.
You should put your attention on what is beneficial for you at this precise moment. Accept your parents with open arms if having them by your side while you receive cancer treatment will benefit you. Offer them other ways to participate if having them there is stressful.
Tell them that they can always contribute by giving out pleasant vibes. However, make an effort to keep them informed. When people are included, everyone feels better.
How do you tell someone they have cancer?
Avoid using euphemisms and medical jargon; be direct yet kind. Allow for tears and silence; follow the patient’s pace. Ask the patient to explain how they interpreted the news, and then reiterate it at subsequent appointments. Give yourself enough time to respond to inquiries, record your thoughts, and offer written materials.