Dealing with malignant mesothelioma and advanced cancer

Finding out that your cancer has come back, spread beyond its original site or is in the advanced stages can be devastating and overwhelming.

My cancer has come back

It's possible you may feel even greater emotional distress to hear that your cancer has returned or advanced. Sometimes this can feel worse than when you had the initial diagnosis. Your mind is flooded with feelings of loss; you may even have a sense of failure. You understandably may experience fear-of pain, of dying. You find you have to make unexpected choices about longer-term issues. Should I pay to join that group again? What if I'm not here long enough? This is a critical time to turn to those close to you for support.

How advanced asbestos lung cancer may change your life

Even though you have cancer, you still need love, companionship and fun. Friends, family and partners may even become more important to you, and they can be a vital source of help and support. In many cases your wife, husband, partner, children, parents, friends, and colleagues will wait to see how you prefer to handle the situation--how much you want to talk about your illness and the treatment.