Coping Overview

Coping With Lung Cancer

If you have been diagnosed with lung cancer, coping with your disease will require patience and determination. These may be new skills that you will develop. If you are having trouble coping with your diagnosis, or if you have already undergone treatment and still have strong emotions to deal with, you may need to surround yourself with family, friends, and colleagues. You may also find it helpful to speak with a therapist. This is the time to create a support system of people who will nurture you and respect your feelings.

Many people with lung cancer find that they also must deal with other issues not usually faced by people with other types of cancer. If you were a smoker, people—including yourself—may believe you are responsible for your disease. Anger, guilt, blame, and hopelessness are common painful emotions you and your family may have to cope with. If so, your first steps may need to be to forgive yourself and stop thinking that you caused your lung cancer.

Coping with lung cancer means managing a number of personal, professional, and financial demands and choices. Prioritize. Start from the simplest affirmation, "If I can get through today, then I can get through tomorrow."

The manner in which you handle these challenges—and any other major life events—can be key to your survival. Many of us are used to finding our way through a crisis the best way we can.

One way to help yourself get through this crisis may be to continue to access other information and resources, including those you'll find in this and other sections of this Web site. The following topics will provide clear information that we hope will strengthen your coping skills:

Mentally Coping
Your Family
Into the Future
Support Groups
Cancer Organizations

Feeling confident about your ability to cope—to stand up for yourself and your needs—can help you feel more in control, even in the midst of the fight. You also may be at an advantage when it comes to participating in making decisions about treatment and lifestyle options that are right for you. Even better, mastering these skills may make you feel more hopeful!