Incurable cancer

Hi Happy.sailor

Thanks for getting in touch with Macmillan cancer support. My name is Sarah one of the cancer information nurses.

I can see you are part of several forums on the online community. I hope you are finding it helpful and supportive talking things through with others.

I am sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with an incurable but treatable cancer. It is natural to feel scared and uncertain about what this may mean for you. It sounds a very difficult time for you just now, uncertainty can cause a range of emotions.

Talking things through with those close to you can be helpful or you may find it helpful to call through to one of our nurses or emotional support team on our support line.

Focusing on what you can control right now can be a way of managing your worries. There are a few different ways you can focus your thoughts.

Preparing for treatment, known as  prehabilitation can be a way of focusing on something you feel you can control . Not every hospital has support for prehabilitation, but you should get the chance to talk this through with a chemotherapy nurse. You may also find it helpful to write down questions you have about your treatment plan.

Online community forums such as our Macmillan online community or Kidney cancer UK, can be a way of asking others about their diagnosis and treatment. Every person’s diagnosis is different, you may find it best to chat things through with your clinical nurse specialist who works alongside your consultant.

I hope this is helpful, if we can help with anything else, please don’t hesitate to get back in touch.

Best wishes,

Sarah

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

Ref/ SB/FP