How to Cope With Stage 3 Colon Cancer

Each stage of colon cancer describes the extent to which cancer has affected your body. There are four stages to colorectal cancer. Stage III indicates that your cancer has spread beyond the colon to possibly one or more lymph nodes, other organs and nearby tissues. Depending on the severity of your Stage III diagnosis, the likelihood of surviving past five years is between 44% and 83% percent, according to the American Cancer Society, and staying positive is a big part of the battle.

Instructions

• 1

  Exercise. You may not always have the energy, or be in the mood, to run on a treadmill. That is actually one of the best times to force yourself to exert some energy. The National Cancer Institute indicates that light to moderate walking exercise improves appetite, function, mood, and quality of life.

• 2

  Go to therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to change a patient's behavior and outlook. Your therapist will teach you the tools you'll need to cope better with stress, anxiety and anger. Therapy can improve your sleep patterns and make you feel more connected to others.

• 3

  Stay active. You're less likely to fall into depression if you keep yourself surrounded by your co-workers, family and friends. Fatigue and pain may make you feel like staying in bed, but to keep your spirits up, you need the people who care about you to know how you're doing.

• 4

  Join a cancer survivor group. The best way to stay informed about your disease, new treatments, and suggestions for taking care of yourself is by staying in contact with others in your same situation. Your medical team can help you find a local group to join. Or just surf any number of online chat rooms for cancer patients and survivors.