{"id":33514,"date":"2026-06-21T20:01:52","date_gmt":"2026-06-21T17:01:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/galilee.gr\/advice-links\/karkinos\/"},"modified":"2026-07-09T11:05:17","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T08:05:17","slug":"cancer","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/galilee.gr\/en\/advice-links\/cancer\/","title":{"rendered":"Cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"33514\" class=\"elementor elementor-33514 elementor-33396\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-51fd5328 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"51fd5328\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3d15e0c8\" data-id=\"3d15e0c8\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a83b644 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a83b644\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this section we will try to share with you simple, reliable and understandable information <strong>about Cancer<\/strong> designed to support you and the people you care for or who care for you.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our goals are:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To better understand the disease<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To find practical instructions for everyday life<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To feel more secure in the care you provide<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To learn about the importance of Palliative Care<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The information in this page serve as a support and does not replace clinical examination and advice of your physician.<\/span><\/p><p><strong>Please always consult a qualified health care professional, for anything that concerns you.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9cfe47b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9cfe47b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Cancer\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-83d49ed elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"83d49ed\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4403960\" data-id=\"4403960\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b384790 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b384790\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#allagi-eikonas-somatos\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"780\" src=\"https:\/\/galilee.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-33515 wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/galilee.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2-2.jpg 780w, https:\/\/galilee.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2-2-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/galilee.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2-2-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/galilee.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2-2-60x60.jpg 60w, https:\/\/galilee.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2-2-90x90.jpg 90w, https:\/\/galilee.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2-2-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/galilee.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2-2-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/galilee.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2-2-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc0278b elementor-align-justify elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"bc0278b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"#allagi-eikonas-somatos\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Body Image Change<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-bb7f16d\" data-id=\"bb7f16d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f93479 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2f93479\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#prepei-na-mathainei\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"780\" src=\"https:\/\/galilee.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-33516 wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/galilee.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1-2.jpg 780w, https:\/\/galilee.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1-2-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/galilee.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1-2-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/galilee.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1-2-60x60.jpg 60w, https:\/\/galilee.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1-2-90x90.jpg 90w, https:\/\/galilee.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1-2-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/galilee.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1-2-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/galilee.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1-2-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f511d2 elementor-align-justify elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"3f511d2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"#prepei-na-mathainei\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Should the patient know?<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8870ae3\" data-id=\"8870ae3\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-94e9a79 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"94e9a79\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#teliko-stadio\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"780\" src=\"https:\/\/galilee.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/3-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-33517 wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/galilee.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/3-2.jpg 780w, https:\/\/galilee.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/3-2-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/galilee.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/3-2-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/galilee.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/3-2-60x60.jpg 60w, https:\/\/galilee.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/3-2-90x90.jpg 90w, https:\/\/galilee.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/3-2-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/galilee.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/3-2-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/galilee.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/3-2-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-345a11d elementor-align-justify elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"345a11d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"#teliko-stadio\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">End-of-Life Patient Care<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-84c7312 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"84c7312\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" id=\"allagi-eikonas-somatos\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6fddcb9\" data-id=\"6fddcb9\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ab0f04 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9ab0f04\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Cancer &amp; Body Image Change\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2945c7d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2945c7d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Cancer treatments can cause many different changes in the body.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ae6343 elementor-blockquote--skin-boxed elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"5ae6343\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\"Suddenly I became a wreck. I didn't look my best and that made me angry. I liked my long hair. I didn't feel like myself anymore.\"\n\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8b66ed2 elementor-blockquote--skin-boxed elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"8b66ed2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\"I've always valued my strength and my ability to do things on my own, but there are things I can't do to support myself anymore.\"\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-61447b5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-accordion\" data-id=\"61447b5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1011\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1011\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How the body can change from cancer & how the patient can feel about it<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1011\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1011\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cancer and its treatments can cause changes\u00a0<\/span><\/p><ul><li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Appearance \u2013 how a person looks<\/b><\/li><\/ul><p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for example, surgery may leave scars or result in the removal of a body part (such as a breast or a limb).<\/span><\/i><\/p><ul><li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Functionality\u2014how the body functions<\/b><\/li><\/ul><p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for example, some people may require a colostomy\u2014a surgically created opening in the abdomen through which stool passes into a pouch\u2014or there may be changes in speech, swallowing, or fertility.<\/span><\/i><\/p><ul><li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Sensation\u2014how a person perceives their body<\/b><\/li><\/ul><p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, after oral cavity reconstruction, the area may feel different, there may be changes in hearing or tingling<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">numbness, and pain in the hands and feet.<\/span><\/i><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Body image is a person\u2019s perception of their own body, and it is very important. A negative change in the body undermines one\u2019s identity and self-esteem and can cause distress and at times, devastation.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1012\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1012\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How an individual reacts to a change in their self-image depends on:<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1012\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1012\"><ol><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">age<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the progression of the disease the individual\u2019s ability to cope with difficulties<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the time it took for the change\u2014the disability\u2014to set in (rapidly or slowly)<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the limb\u2019s function prior to the disease<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the potential for recovery<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the individual\u2019s attachment to their physical appearance<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">whether the affected limb is visible or not<\/span><\/li><\/ol><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is normal for <\/span><b>the patient to experience the change<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> through the following <\/span><b>four phases<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p><ol><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Impact<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 loses control \u2013 cannot accept the news \u2013 fears for their life and experiences anxiety and distress<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Regression <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 escaping reality and returning to a more psychologically comfortable stage of life<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Recognition<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 mourns the loss<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Recovery <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 reassesses positive strengths and takes action to restore balance \u2013 dares to make plans and tries to find solutions to his problem.<\/span><\/li><\/ol><h3>How can Cancer and its treatments can cause changes<\/h3><hr \/><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At first, changes may seem overwhelming and difficult to cope with. Everyone adapts at their own pace, and the adjustment process can take weeks, months, or even years.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The impact a change has on the body does not always depend on its size, severity, or visibility.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example: a small scar can still have a significant impact on your mood, self-confidence, and sexuality.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can reach out to others and\/or find ways to help you adjust, such as:<\/span><\/p><h3>Talk about the changes in your body<\/h3><hr \/><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It would help to be open and not withdraw into yourself, because that might stop you from doing things you\u2019d enjoy or from getting the help you need.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Talk to someone you feel comfortable with:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> your partner, a family member, another patient with the same condition, a healthcare provider, a counselor, or a psychologist.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Doctors and <\/span><b>specialized healthcare professionals are accustomed to discussing physical changes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and specific concerns, so feel free to discuss your worries with them.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Write down your questions and concerns, as well as the responses from the healthcare professional you\u2019ve chosen<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, since it may be difficult to remember everything that was discussed.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In some areas, \u201cpeer support\u201d <\/span><b>programs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or \u201cmutual support groups\u201d are available, or you can find support online.<\/span><\/p><h3>Talk to your care team for help<\/h3><hr \/><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your care team could:<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">* give you advice on clothing choices and accessories, such as wearing a scarf or headband to cover hair loss<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">* Ensure that you are using the most appropriate and discreet products\u2014for example, a speech valve following laryngectomy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">* Refer you to appropriate services or groups for advice on concealing makeup<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">* Refer you for prosthetics, such as a breast prosthesis<\/span><\/p><p><b>Seek spiritual support<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you feel it would help, you could:<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">* seek help from a spiritual advisor (priest) to address the psychological issues caused by the illness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">* Prayer can provide comfort and help you face the problem with a positive attitude.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">* Reading spiritual books could be rejuvenating for the soul.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How the body can change from cancer & how the patient can feel about it\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Cancer and its treatments can cause changes\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><ul><li aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><b>Appearance \\u2013 how a person looks<\\\/b><\\\/li><\\\/ul><p><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">for example, surgery may leave scars or result in the removal of a body part (such as a breast or a limb).<\\\/span><\\\/i><\\\/p><ul><li aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><b>Functionality\\u2014how the body functions<\\\/b><\\\/li><\\\/ul><p><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">for example, some people may require a colostomy\\u2014a surgically created opening in the abdomen through which stool passes into a pouch\\u2014or there may be changes in speech, swallowing, or fertility.<\\\/span><\\\/i><\\\/p><ul><li aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><b>Sensation\\u2014how a person perceives their body<\\\/b><\\\/li><\\\/ul><p><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">For example, after oral cavity reconstruction, the area may feel different, there may be changes in hearing or tingling<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">, <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">numbness, and pain in the hands and feet.<\\\/span><\\\/i><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Body image is a person\\u2019s perception of their own body, and it is very important. A negative change in the body undermines one\\u2019s identity and self-esteem and can cause distress and at times, devastation.<\\\/span><\\\/p>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How an individual reacts to a change in their self-image depends on:\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<ol><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">age<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">the progression of the disease the individual\\u2019s ability to cope with difficulties<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">the time it took for the change\\u2014the disability\\u2014to set in (rapidly or slowly)<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">the limb\\u2019s function prior to the disease<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">the potential for recovery<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">the individual\\u2019s attachment to their physical appearance<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">whether the affected limb is visible or not<\\\/span><\\\/li><\\\/ol><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">It is normal for <\\\/span><b>the patient to experience the change<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> through the following <\\\/span><b>four phases<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">:<\\\/span><\\\/p><ol><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><b>Impact<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> \\u2013 loses control \\u2013 cannot accept the news \\u2013 fears for their life and experiences anxiety and distress<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><b>Regression <\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">\\u2013 escaping reality and returning to a more psychologically comfortable stage of life<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><b>Recognition<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> \\u2013 mourns the loss<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><b>Recovery <\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">\\u2013 reassesses positive strengths and takes action to restore balance \\u2013 dares to make plans and tries to find solutions to his problem.<\\\/span><\\\/li><\\\/ol><h3>How can Cancer and its treatments can cause changes<\\\/h3><hr \\\/><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">At first, changes may seem overwhelming and difficult to cope with. Everyone adapts at their own pace, and the adjustment process can take weeks, months, or even years.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The impact a change has on the body does not always depend on its size, severity, or visibility.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">For example: a small scar can still have a significant impact on your mood, self-confidence, and sexuality.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">You can reach out to others and\\\/or find ways to help you adjust, such as:<\\\/span><\\\/p><h3>Talk about the changes in your body<\\\/h3><hr \\\/><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">It would help to be open and not withdraw into yourself, because that might stop you from doing things you\\u2019d enjoy or from getting the help you need.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b>Talk to someone you feel comfortable with:<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> your partner, a family member, another patient with the same condition, a healthcare provider, a counselor, or a psychologist.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Doctors and <\\\/span><b>specialized healthcare professionals are accustomed to discussing physical changes<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> and specific concerns, so feel free to discuss your worries with them.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b>Write down your questions and concerns, as well as the responses from the healthcare professional you\\u2019ve chosen<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">, since it may be difficult to remember everything that was discussed.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">In some areas, \\u201cpeer support\\u201d <\\\/span><b>programs<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> or \\u201cmutual support groups\\u201d are available, or you can find support online.<\\\/span><\\\/p><h3>Talk to your care team for help<\\\/h3><hr \\\/><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Your care team could:<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">* give you advice on clothing choices and accessories, such as wearing a scarf or headband to cover hair loss<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">* Ensure that you are using the most appropriate and discreet products\\u2014for example, a speech valve following laryngectomy.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">* Refer you to appropriate services or groups for advice on concealing makeup<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">* Refer you for prosthetics, such as a breast prosthesis<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b>Seek spiritual support<\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">If you feel it would help, you could:<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">* seek help from a spiritual advisor (priest) to address the psychological issues caused by the illness.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">* Prayer can provide comfort and help you face the problem with a positive attitude.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">* Reading spiritual books could be rejuvenating for the soul.<\\\/span><\\\/p>\"}}]}<\/script>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-89298df elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"89298df\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" id=\"prepei-na-mathainei\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-23bfd12\" data-id=\"23bfd12\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2843c71 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2843c71\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> Cancer &amp; Should the patient know?\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fc67ab7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-accordion\" data-id=\"fc67ab7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2641\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2641\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Advantage when the patient is NOT aware<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2641\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2641\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not telling the patient has certain advantages.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 We don\u2019t upset them (to put it more precise, we postpone their distress)\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 We don\u2019t become the people who delivered the \u201cbad news\u201d<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For these reasons, in past decades, the prevailing tendency was to keep things hidden.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, if we look more closely, keeping the patient in the dark has serious drawbacks.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2642\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2642\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Disadvantages when the patient is NOT aware<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2642\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2642\"><ul><li aria-level=\"1\"><b>The patient is placed in an atmosphere of \u201csecrecy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,\u201d even though they <\/span><b>often understand what is wrong with them.<\/b><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A patient who is unaware <\/span><b>cannot participate in decisions regarding their treatment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which places them in a <\/span><b>passive role<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and increases their <\/span><b>risk of developing depression.<\/b><\/li><\/ul><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A patient who is unaware <\/span><b>may think that things are much worse<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> than they actually are.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>In cases where cancer cannot be cured<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a patient who is not told anything is <\/span><b>deprived of the opportunity to prepare for their death<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, loses the chance to reflect on and <\/span><b>do things that might give meaning to their life<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>risks facing death alone.<\/b><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For all these reasons, <\/span><b>the right question is NOT whether the patient should be told<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> if he or she has cancer, <\/span><b>but rather, how much should the patient be told?<\/b><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2643\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2643\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How much should the patient learn?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2643\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2643\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The answer to this question is usually provided by the patient\u2019s own behavior.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every person has <\/span><b>their own limits:<\/b><\/p><ul><li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">on <\/span><b>how much they WANT to know<\/b><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">on <\/span><b>how much<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> they prefer <\/span><b>NOT to know<\/b><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">on <\/span><b>when<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> they are <\/span><b>ready to learn more<\/b><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We should <\/span><b>listen carefully to the patient<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>understand how much<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and when they want to learn, and respond accordingly.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2644\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2644\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Who should inform the patient?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2644\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2644\"><p><b>The doctor is the right person<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to inform the patient.<\/span><\/p><p><b>With the help of the patient\u2019s relatives<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>friends, but primarily based on the patient\u2019s<\/b> <b>behavior<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the doctor will determine what to say, how much to say, and how to say it.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In most cases, the patient himself lets the doctor know what and how much he wants to know, and this is the best guide for the doctor.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2645\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2645\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Does everyone who has cancer also have a painful death?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2645\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2645\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not in our days.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cancer can often be cured and even when it cannot be cured, there are ways to provide the patient with adequate relief from pain and other distressing symptoms.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2646\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"6\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2646\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Are the causes of cancer psychological?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2646\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"6\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2646\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is clear evidence regarding the factors that cause cancer, such as smoking, certain chemicals, certain types of radiation, and certain viruses. So far, it has not been proven that psychological factors cause cancer, and it doesn\u2019t add value to try to determine whether cancer was triggered by emotional distress.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2647\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"7\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2647\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">I have been diagnosed with cancer. What can help me?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2647\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"7\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2647\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Based on their personal experience, everyone has certain ways of coping psychologically when things in life aren\u2019t going so well.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the case of a cancer diagnosis, the following have been found to help most people cope:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take an active role in your treatment<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stay informed about your illness<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be involved in decision-making<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Surround yourself with people who can support you<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stay active (Having cancer doesn\u2019t necessarily mean you have to stop doing the things you did before or the things you enjoy)<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many people feel better when they work, perhaps at a more relaxed pace<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Try to eat well and get plenty of rest<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t neglect yourself. Continue to take care of your appearance, personal cleanliness, and physical hygiene, and keep doing things that bring you joy<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Advantage when the patient is NOT aware\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Not telling the patient has certain advantages.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">\\u2013 We don\\u2019t upset them (to put it more precise, we postpone their distress)\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">\\u2013 We don\\u2019t become the people who delivered the \\u201cbad news\\u201d<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">For these reasons, in past decades, the prevailing tendency was to keep things hidden.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">However, if we look more closely, keeping the patient in the dark has serious drawbacks.<\\\/span><\\\/p>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Disadvantages when the patient is NOT aware\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<ul><li aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><b>The patient is placed in an atmosphere of \\u201csecrecy<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">,\\u201d even though they <\\\/span><b>often understand what is wrong with them.<\\\/b><\\\/li><\\\/ul><ul><li aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">A patient who is unaware <\\\/span><b>cannot participate in decisions regarding their treatment<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">, which places them in a <\\\/span><b>passive role<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> and increases their <\\\/span><b>risk of developing depression.<\\\/b><\\\/li><\\\/ul><ul><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">A patient who is unaware <\\\/span><b>may think that things are much worse<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> than they actually are.<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><b>In cases where cancer cannot be cured<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">, a patient who is not told anything is <\\\/span><b>deprived of the opportunity to prepare for their death<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">, loses the chance to reflect on and <\\\/span><b>do things that might give meaning to their life<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">, and <\\\/span><b>risks facing death alone.<\\\/b><\\\/li><\\\/ul><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">For all these reasons, <\\\/span><b>the right question is NOT whether the patient should be told<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> if he or she has cancer, <\\\/span><b>but rather, how much should the patient be told?<\\\/b><\\\/p>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How much should the patient learn?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The answer to this question is usually provided by the patient\\u2019s own behavior.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Every person has <\\\/span><b>their own limits:<\\\/b><\\\/p><ul><li aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">on <\\\/span><b>how much they WANT to know<\\\/b><\\\/li><\\\/ul><ul><li aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">on <\\\/span><b>how much<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> they prefer <\\\/span><b>NOT to know<\\\/b><\\\/li><\\\/ul><ul><li aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">on <\\\/span><b>when<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> they are <\\\/span><b>ready to learn more<\\\/b><\\\/li><\\\/ul><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We should <\\\/span><b>listen carefully to the patient<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">, <\\\/span><b>understand how much<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> and when they want to learn, and respond accordingly.<\\\/span><\\\/p>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Who should inform the patient?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p><b>The doctor is the right person<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> to inform the patient.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b>With the help of the patient\\u2019s relatives<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> and <\\\/span><b>friends, but primarily based on the patient\\u2019s<\\\/b> <b>behavior<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">, the doctor will determine what to say, how much to say, and how to say it.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">In most cases, the patient himself lets the doctor know what and how much he wants to know, and this is the best guide for the doctor.<\\\/span><\\\/p>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Does everyone who has cancer also have a painful death?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Not in our days.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Cancer can often be cured and even when it cannot be cured, there are ways to provide the patient with adequate relief from pain and other distressing symptoms.<\\\/span><\\\/p>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Are the causes of cancer psychological?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">There is clear evidence regarding the factors that cause cancer, such as smoking, certain chemicals, certain types of radiation, and certain viruses. So far, it has not been proven that psychological factors cause cancer, and it doesn\\u2019t add value to try to determine whether cancer was triggered by emotional distress.<\\\/span><\\\/p>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"I have been diagnosed with cancer. What can help me?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Based on their personal experience, everyone has certain ways of coping psychologically when things in life aren\\u2019t going so well.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">In the case of a cancer diagnosis, the following have been found to help most people cope:<\\\/span><\\\/p><ul><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Take an active role in your treatment<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Stay informed about your illness<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Be involved in decision-making<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Surround yourself with people who can support you<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Stay active (Having cancer doesn\\u2019t necessarily mean you have to stop doing the things you did before or the things you enjoy)<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Many people feel better when they work, perhaps at a more relaxed pace<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Try to eat well and get plenty of rest<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Don\\u2019t neglect yourself. Continue to take care of your appearance, personal cleanliness, and physical hygiene, and keep doing things that bring you joy<\\\/span><\\\/li><\\\/ul>\"}}]}<\/script>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-dc21c54 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"dc21c54\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" id=\"teliko-stadio\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-64a811e\" data-id=\"64a811e\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-488bd27 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"488bd27\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Cancer &amp; End-of-Life Patient Care\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4904d6b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4904d6b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The patient and their family often want to know how long they are expected to live. <\/span><b>This is a difficult question.\u00a0<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The progression of the disease is influenced by various factors, such as the location of the tumor and the presence of other pathological conditions.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although <\/span><b>the doctor may be able to make an estimate<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, based on what he knows about the patient, he is often hesitant to express it. <\/span><b>There is always the risk of over- or under-estimating the expected survival.<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He may also be reluctant to say since he may offer false hope or destroy any hope that exists.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b629335 elementor-widget elementor-widget-accordion\" data-id=\"b629335\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1911\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1911\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">When do we seek medical help when the patient is being cared for at home?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1911\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1911\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When the patient:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>hurts <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and is not relieved by the prescribed dose of analgesics<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is short of breath and appears agitated<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-level=\"1\"><b>unable to urinate or defecate<\/b><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-level=\"1\"><b>shows intense depression<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and expresses <\/span><b>suicidal thoughts<\/b><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When the caregiver:<\/span><\/p><ul><li aria-level=\"1\"><b>the patient has difficulty in medication administration<\/b><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1912\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1912\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How can we offer psychological support to the patient?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1912\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1912\"><ul><li><b>We spend time with the patient<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (talking, watching movies)<\/span><\/li><li><b>We give the patient the opportunity to express<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> their fears and feelings<\/span><\/li><li><b>We listen to the patient\u2019s memories<\/b><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We give them the <\/span><b>opportunity to participate in decisions that affect them<\/b><\/li><li><b>We fulfill the patient\u2019s wishes<\/b><\/li><li><b>We respect the times when the patient wishes to be alone<\/b><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1913\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1913\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What signs & symptoms inform us that the end of life is approaching?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1913\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1913\"><ul><li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Lethargy<\/b><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This refers to an increase in sleep periods and\/or a lack of response to stimuli. Visits and all activities involving the patient should be scheduled for times when the patient is awake. Most patients can still hear even when they are unable to speak. Therefore, conversations should be conducted on the assumption that the patient is listening, even if they do not respond.<\/span><\/p><ul><li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Confusion<\/b><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This refers to confusion regarding time, place, and people, visual hallucinations, and the patient\u2019s inability to remain calm in bed. The time, date, and names of the caregivers should be gently repeated to the patient. A gentle approach to communication with the patient helps achieve a degree of mental calm.<\/span><\/p><ul><li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Withdrawal<\/b><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The patient may be able to hear but may not be able to respond. Therefore, their relatives and friends should speak to them and reassure them that they are nearby.<\/span><\/p><ul><li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Reduced need for food and fluids\u2014anorexia<\/b><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The patient should be allowed to choose whether and when to eat or drink. Water, fruit juices, or ice chips can provide relief. Dryness of the mouth and lips should be prevented.<\/span><\/p><ul><li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Loss of bladder and bowel control<\/b><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Special adult diapers are recommended for this purpose.<\/span><\/p><ul><li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Dark-colored urine or reduced urine output<\/b><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It may be necessary to insert a urinary catheter.<\/span><\/p><ul><li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Cold Upper and Lower Extremities<\/b><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Patients may not be aware that their extremities are cold. It is recommended to cover the patient with blankets.<\/span><\/p><ul><li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Respiratory Disturbances<\/b><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Noises during inhalation and exhalation, decreased respiratory rate per minute, alternating periods of increased and decreased respiratory rate, etc. Breathing may be easier if the patient is turned onto their side and pillows are placed under their head and back. In some patients, oxygen administration is recommended.<\/span><\/p><ul><li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Inadequate pain control<\/b><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If analgesic doses do not provide relief to the patient, medical advice should be sought.<\/span><\/p><ul><li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Involuntary muscle spasms (myoclonus)<\/b><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Changes in heart rate<\/b><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Absence of reflexes in the upper and lower extremities<\/b><\/li><\/ul><p><b>It should be noted that not all of these signs are present in every patient, and that the presence of one or more signs in a patient does not necessarily mean that the end is near.<\/b><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1914\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1914\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What signs inform us that the patient has died?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1914\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1914\"><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Absence of breathing or pulse<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The eyes do not move and the eyelids do not open or close<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The pupils are dilated<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The jaw is loose and the mouth is slightly open<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is urine and feces incontinence<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The patient does not respond to stimuli<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"When do we seek medical help when the patient is being cared for at home?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">When the patient:<\\\/span><\\\/p><ul><li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\"><ul><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><b>hurts <\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">and is not relieved by the prescribed dose of analgesics<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">is short of breath and appears agitated<\\\/span><\\\/li><\\\/ul><\\\/li><\\\/ul><ul><li aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><b>unable to urinate or defecate<\\\/b><\\\/li><\\\/ul><ul><li aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><b>shows intense depression<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> and expresses <\\\/span><b>suicidal thoughts<\\\/b><\\\/li><\\\/ul><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">When the caregiver:<\\\/span><\\\/p><ul><li aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><b>the patient has difficulty in medication administration<\\\/b><\\\/li><\\\/ul>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How can we offer psychological support to the patient?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<ul><li><b>We spend time with the patient<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> (talking, watching movies)<\\\/span><\\\/li><li><b>We give the patient the opportunity to express<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> their fears and feelings<\\\/span><\\\/li><li><b>We listen to the patient\\u2019s memories<\\\/b><\\\/li><li><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We give them the <\\\/span><b>opportunity to participate in decisions that affect them<\\\/b><\\\/li><li><b>We fulfill the patient\\u2019s wishes<\\\/b><\\\/li><li><b>We respect the times when the patient wishes to be alone<\\\/b><\\\/li><\\\/ul>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What signs & symptoms inform us that the end of life is approaching?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<ul><li aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><b>Lethargy<\\\/b><\\\/li><\\\/ul><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">This refers to an increase in sleep periods and\\\/or a lack of response to stimuli. 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Therefore, their relatives and friends should speak to them and reassure them that they are nearby.<\\\/span><\\\/p><ul><li aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><b>Reduced need for food and fluids\\u2014anorexia<\\\/b><\\\/li><\\\/ul><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The patient should be allowed to choose whether and when to eat or drink. Water, fruit juices, or ice chips can provide relief. 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