Lifestyle - How to keep healthy
Can I sunbathe?
We know that sun causes skin cancer. In very hot places such as Australia, children are required to wear hats and tee-shirts, even in the school playground, to prevent skin cancer. Some survivors of childhood cancer may be at risk of second cancers, this includes skin cancer. In order to minimise the risk of skin cancer it is a good idea to wear sunscreen. This should be a high factor. After your holiday don’t be tempted to keep up your tan on a sun bed! The very intense rays are especially damaging.
Finally check your skin for moles. If a mole changes shape, size or colour, or bleeds or itches, you need to see a doctor.
Does having had cancer mean you get more tired?
Not usually. If you feel you get more tired than your friends, doing the same activities, you should mention it at your clinic visit. Your doctor may suggest you need a blood test to check if you have a hormone imbalance. This is not very common.
What shall I do if someone offers me a cigarette?
Sometimes people are in a situation where they feel pressurised to have a cigarette, maybe at a party. Smoking has been clearly linked with cancer. It has been known since the 1950’s that it causes lung cancer, as well as cancer of the mouth, throat and bladder. It is not a good idea for anyone to smoke. Some cancer treatments can increase the risk of a second cancer. You may be even more at risk if you smoke. The risk is especially high if you had radiotherapy to your chest and lungs.
My friend has cancer and lots of problems with her memory. Will the same happen to me?
Some people do have problems with their memory after treatment but this is not common. Late effects are very dependent on the type of cancer you had and how you were treated. As always, if you have particular concerns discuss them with your doctor at the clinic. Attending the follow up clinic will help to ensure that any problems are detected early as well as giving you the opportunity to raise any worries you have about your health.
Can I go to the gym/diving?
For many people who had cancer, there is no problem about taking strenuous exercise at all. In fact, most people are encouraged to take exercise. It helps to keep you trim and can be fun, especially if you exercise with friends.
Some people need to be careful, if they were treated with certain drugs. These drugs (anthracyclines) are very good at treating cancer cells but they can occasionally damage healthy heart muscle. If you routinely have heart scans (echocardiograms) you should ask your doctor about doing strenuous exercise, such as weight lifting.
If you want to take up sports such as diving, you will need to undergo a medical. There are certain situations where diving would be considered unsafe e.g. following some chest surgery but there is a medical panel to consult about specific medical issues available through the British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC). Their website gives lots of information about being medically fit to dive www.bsac.com.
Why do I feel different from my friends?
After treatment, you may be dealing with late effects of treatment as well as struggling to find a new “normal” in your life. Surviving cancer can bring on a range of feelings including relief and happiness as well as fears of recurrence, anxiety, or guilt. We hope this booklet will help you, knowing that other survivors often have similar feelings.
The way I look reminds me of my treatment
You may have been left with some scars after your treatment, you may feel your hair is thinner or different from before. Sometimes scars can be removed by plastic surgery; you can discuss this at the clinic. If your hair is thinner it is very important to check you are eating a good balanced diet and make sure you have enough B vitamins and are not anaemic. It is also important to check your hormone levels as both your thyroid and sex hormone levels have an effect on your hair growth.
Should I worry about getting ill again?
Most young adults don’t worry about things like cancer or heart problems. It is natural for survivors to be fearful about the possibility of a relapse or fear of late effects. These worries can make you feel different from your friends. However the chance of getting a second cancer is still very small.
Can my experience of cancer help others – there seem so many unanswered questions?
It is important to find out as much as possible about cancer and it’s treatment and so doctors must do research both with those children who are newly diagnosed and those that have been treated. For this reason you may be asked to take part in a study looking at the effects of some aspect of your disease and treatment at any time. Your clinic doctor will be able to tell you if there are any long term follow up studies relevant to you being carried out at the moment. Your doctor will explain the study to you and you will need to sign a consent form to participate. Certain studies provide essential information on a variety of problems that may arise, the risk factors for developing problems and in some cases the effects of different treatments. This enables us to help current and future generations of patients.
What can I give back? Can I give blood/donate organs?
Many people feel they would like to give blood or donate organs. The rules about this following treatment for cancer are constantly changing.
For blood donation, currently, you are able to donate (and are encouraged to!) if you were treated for a solid tumour, finished treatment over 5 years ago and did not receive blood yourself after 1980. There is a very helpful website, with information, registration on line and with a telephone number for you to discuss anything with a medical advisor www.blooddonor.org.uk.
Similarly, organ donation is possible for people treated for cancer and the UK transplant programme would encourage you to register. Like blood donation, you can discuss organ donation with a doctor involved either by phone or email www.uktransplant.org.uk.
This website is produced on behalf of the CCLG Late Effects Group.
Edited by Dr Annie Griffiths | Contributors
Designed by the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG)
© CCLG 2007