Steps to take if you don’t have cancer
Staying healthy will lower your risk of developing certain types of cancer and may improve your chances of surviving cancer if it develops later. This includes getting your routine checkups and future cancer screenings. Your doctor is the best person to provide advice to help you stay healthy. Below are some additional tips and resources to lower your chances of getting some of the most common cancers, such as breast, cervical, colon and lung.
Get Checked
Stay current on your cancer screenings. Talk to your doctor to learn what cancer screenings you may need and how often.
Manage Your Weight
Keep a healthy weight to help you stay well now and as you age.
Eat Healthy
Eat a healthy diet with lots of vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
Prioritize Exercise
Get regular physical activity. Most people need at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week.
Wear Gloves or Masks
Protect yourself from known cancer-causing chemicals by wearing protective equipment like gloves or masks when needed.
Drink Less
Avoid drinking alcohol. Drinking alcohol can increase your chances of getting cancer.
Stop Smoking
Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke. Smoking can cause cancer and block your body from fighting it.
Stay Protected
Use a condom during sex to help protect you from HPV infections, which can increase your risk for cervical cancer.
Get Vaccinated
Get the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccines. Talk with your doctor to learn if the HPV vaccines can help prevent cervical cancer.
Steps to take if you need more testing
Cancer screenings can only tell your doctor if something unusual (abnormal) is happening in your body. Your doctor may recommend more testing to help them determine if you have cancer and to figure out the next step for your care. These tests may include:
- Lab tests of your blood, urine and other body fluids.
- Imaging tests take pictures of your body that can help your doctor see whether a tumor is present. A tumor is a lump of tissue that can form when abnormal cells group together.
- Biopsies (or biopsy) is a procedure where a sample of abnormal tissue is taken from your body. The sample is looked at under a microscope or tested by a pathologist. A pathologist is a doctor who has special training to identify diseases by studying cells and tissues.
The results from lab tests, imaging and biopsies may be posted on your health portal before your doctor can discuss them with you. It is normal to feel anxious and want to know your results right away and what they mean. Your doctor is the best person to explain all your test results and what they mean for you.
Steps to take if you have cancer
Learning that you have cancer can be hard. You may feel anxious and afraid and have many questions. The steps below can help you get the information and resources you need to cope with your diagnosis. Please keep in mind this information is not meant to replace the advice of your doctor or health care team. Talking with them is the best way to learn more about your health status, treatment options and what’s next.
Get the facts about your cancer diagnosis
Understanding your diagnosis can help you make decisions about your care. To start, you can:
- Write down your questions and concerns to share with your doctor. Visit the National Cancer Institute for questions to ask your doctor about your diagnosis.
- Think about getting a second opinion to confirm your treatment plan and share your decision with your doctor.
- Consider bringing a trusted friend or family member to your first few appointments to help you remember what your doctor shares.
- Think about how you would like to make decisions — alone or with the advice of your loved ones — and share this with your care team.
Find healthy ways to cope
Here are some ways to support your health and well-being when you have cancer:
- Express your feelings with trusted friends, family members, spiritual leaders or professional counselors. For professional support, CalOptima Health members can call the Behavioral Health line at 1-855-877-3885 (TTY 711) or view Behavioral Health Resources online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Join a support group. Support groups bring people with similar situations together to share their concerns and learn how others cope. To learn about support groups near you, call the American Cancer Society’s Help Line at 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org for chat support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Take care of yourself. Make sure you are following your care plan. Let your doctors know how you are feeling and make daily choices that support your health goals.
- Physical activity can also help you feel better. Talk with your doctor before you start or get back to your exercise routine. Visit our fitness self-care guides to learn more about staying active.
- Find joy by taking time to do what brings you comfort, whether it’s reading, art, gardening or going to church.
Keep a balanced lifestyle
Anticipate physical changes
The best time to plan for changes your body may go through is before you start cancer treatment. Talk with your doctor to learn what physical changes you may experience. For support to minimize the visible side effects of cancer, reach out to Cancer Kinship at info@cancerkinship.org for more information about the Kinner Beauty Salon.
Learn about your financial support options
Knowing your insurance information and financial options is important to your care and treatment. CalOptima Health members can learn more about covered benefits below:
See a summary of Medi-Cal benefits online at www.caloptima.org/Health-Insurance-Plans/Medi-Cal/Benefits-and-Services
Contact CalOptima Health Medi-Cal Customer Service toll-free at 1-888-587-8088 (TTY 711), Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. We have staff who speak your language.
See a summary of OneCare (HMO D-SNP), a Medicare Medi-Cal Plan, benefits online at www.caloptima.org/Health-Insurance-Plans/OneCare/Benefits-and-Services
Contact OneCare Customer Service toll-free at 1-877-412-2734 (TTY 711), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have staff who speak your language.
Contact Us
For more support, please call the Health and Wellness team at CalOptima Health at 1-888-587-8088 (TTY 711). We are here to help you Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. We have staff who speak your language.