A new cancer diagnosis may bring up a variety of emotions. Fear, grief and numbness are all common. But so are strength and resilience.
These 6 Mayo Clinic cancer experts have helped thousands of people remain strong throughout their cancer journeys. Watch them describe the best ways to cope and find support after the diagnosis.
Mayo Clinic experts share: How people find strength after a cancer diagnosis
Adam M. Shultz, CEP: The common thread that I see with the patients that I work with for coping strategies is that support system. Be it very small and tightknit or if it's a very widespread social network.
Judy C. Boughey, M.D.: That network of friends that can support them, that can come to some of their clinic appointments with them and be a second set of ears. That can cook some meals and can be with them at the time of surgery or chemotherapy treatment days.
Shawna L. Ehlers, Ph.D., L.P.: Finding people that they can talk openly about with the whole experience, so not leaving anything out. Feeling safe to talk about whatever is on their mind. Especially the emotional, completely normal emotional, aspects of cancer.
Marcia W. Johnson, L.I.C.S.W., M.S.W: Disease-specific support groups are incredibly helpful for people because they feel like they're not alone and they can share similar kinds of struggles.
Mabel Ryder, M.D.: Many of my patients do seek out thyroid cancer support groups to understand tools that can help them cope with their cancer diagnosis.
Dr. Boughey: Meet some people who have been through that journey and are in that survivorship process. See that there is a light at the end of that tunnel.
Dawn M. Mussallem, D.O.: The patients I see that do the best following a cancer diagnosis are patients that have hope, love and value in their lives. What gives your life meaning? When you wake up in the morning, what puts pep in your step? It's important that patients seek that out and that they try to embrace that in their life.
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