About one-half of men and one-third of women in the United States will receive a cancer diagnosis during their lifetimes. That diagnosis often comes with little warning.

After a cancer diagnosis, patients may feel anxious, afraid or overwhelmed and wonder how they can cope during the days to come. MayoClinic.com suggests some ways to cope:

* Get the facts about the cancer diagnosis. Try to obtain as much basic, useful information as possible. Consider bringing a family member or friend to the first few doctor appointments.

* Keep the lines of communication open. Maintain honest, two-way communication with loved ones, doctors and others.

* Maintain energy levels. Eating a healthy diet that includes a variety of foods and getting adequate rest may help combat the stress and fatigue of cancer and treatment.

* Try to maintain a normal lifestyle. Maintain your normal lifestyle, but be open to modification, as necessary. Live one day at a time.

MayoClinic.com offers coping and treatment tools for specific cancers and related conditions, including: breast cancer, mouth cancer, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, and myelodysplastic syndromes. A patient who is involved in making decisions about the specifics of cancer treatment may feel more confident when treatment begins. MayoClinic.com also explores options for getting involved in cancer treatment decisions.

For more information, visit http://www.mayoclinic.com