Your coping toolbox

Here we discuss the different tools you can use to help you cope with a cancer diagnosis.

Learn more about:

• Overview
• Tools for coping
• Gathering information
• Making decisions
• Using complementary therapies
• Managing your thoughts
• Improving sleep

Overview

Most of us have various ways of coping with difficult situations, which we have learned over time. These could include:

• seeking more information
• finding solutions
• having a laugh to feel better
• trying to be strong and “soldiering on”
• distracting ourselves from unhelpful thoughts and feelings
• shifting our focus to a pleasurable activity
• talking things through to try to make sense of what is happening.

How you cope depends on many factors, such as the particular situation you are facing, as well as your past experiences, personality, upbringing and role models. There is no best or right way of coping. It is important to think about what has worked for you in the past, but after a cancer diagnosis, you may find that you need a little more help. Exploring different coping strategies can help you feel more in control.

Some coping strategies are less helpful than others. Disbelief and denial are common reactions to a cancer diagnosis, and you may find you go back and forth between denial and acceptance for a time. If the denial is ongoing, however, it can become hard to make decisions about treatment, or it might lead you to avoid your appointments. Some people use alcohol and drugs to cope with stressful situations. These may appear to provide short-term relief, but they can cause long-term harm and could affect how well the cancer treatment works. If you think you might be in denial or starting to rely on alcohol or drugs to cope, it is important to talk to your cancer care team about getting professional support. With the right help, it is possible to learn new ways of coping.

Podcast: Coping with a Cancer Diagnosis

Listen to more of our podcast for people affected by cancer