I’ve seen seemingly healthy people walk into a doctor’s office for what they thought was a stomach ache or headache and walk out with a cancer diagnosis. It does throw you off balance, and it doesn’t matter the stage, the prognosis, or the treatment plan. But for many people, the first question is always, what do I do next?

The plan isn’t going to be crystal clear overnight. But the first step is not to lose hope. From the minute your reports come in, you will be guided every step of the way by expert Oncologists who will give you the treatment options; they will also explain your prognosis and lay out the facts for you and your family. While these might seem scary, it is essential to understand and absorb this information.

It is natural for you to look up everything about your diagnosis online, and while many suggest that you not, I can understand the panic that triggers this curiosity. But every patient is different; every treatment is different.

Over a period of time, you will get more clarity. You will certainly figure out what this life-altering event means for you and how you can navigate this challenge. But my number 1 suggestion is not to lose hope. Don’t let negativity creep in. Like they say, “‘one day at a time”. The treatment plan will have certain physical and mental implications that will feel scary but hang in there. This is a battle you will win with your body and mind.

At Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, the best cancer hospital in India, we have people from around the world, from India and Europe to North America and the African continent; we see them go from despair to delight over the course of their treatment. Our expert oncologists, surgeons, and other healthcare teams work together to help patients beat Cancer.