Many people living with cancer tell us that support people mean very well but they end up taking over much of the control that the person with cancer is trying to retain. It is necessary for people with cancer to be in control of everything that they can be.

Example:
The people who are closest to you may find it difficult to see you not feeling well because they are so concerned about you. As a result, sometimes when you tell them your real feelings about how difficult things are:

•They may try to solve the problem
•They may try to cheer you up or tell you that you should be positive
When they respond in any of these ways it ends up leaving you alone with what you are really feeling.

Self-Caretaking Response:
It can be very helpful to say to the people supporting you something like:

•“You know, I want to talk about something that is one my mind and really bothering me. Now is a time that I really need you to listen to me. I am not looking for answers or to be cheered up. I just want to tell you how I am feeling.”

A recent study shows that second hand smoke increases the risk of abnormal pap smears. While second hand smoke was not proven to cause cervical cancer, it does prove to cause abnormalities in cervical tissue. In the study, the women who said they were exposed to some second hand smoke were 70 more likely to have an abnormal result.

Actively smoking has already been linked to increasing damage in the cervix caused by HPV. A concrete link between second hand smoke exposure and the cancer may not be a long way off. This study does not confirm a direct connection, but why take a chance?

People who have been treated for lung cancer may continue to have symptoms caused by the cancer or by cancer treatments (side effects). People who want information about symptoms and side effects should talk to their doctors. Doctors can help answer questions and make a plan to control symptoms.

Research has found several causes and risk factors for lung cancer. A risk factor is anything that changes the chance of getting a disease. Lung cancer risk factors include—

•Smoking.
•Secondhand smoke from other people's cigarettes.
•Radon gas in the home.
•Things around home or work, including asbestos, ionizing radiation, and other cancer-causing substances.
•Medical exposure to radiation to the chest.
•Chronic lung disease such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis.
•Increased age

You can reduce your risk of developing lung cancer in several ways.

•Don’t smoke. If you do smoke, quit now.
•Avoid secondhand smoke. There is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure.
•Have your home tested for radon and take corrective actions if high levels are found.
•Avoid unnecessary medical tests that involve X-ray images of the chest.
•Follow health and safety guidelines in the workplace.