There’s no denying it: a cancer diagnosis can change everything.
It can turn routines upside down and challenge your sense of control. The diagnosis itself can come suddenly, but finding a way to live with it takes time — and that’s okay.
Everyone’s experience with GIST is different.
There’s no denying it: a cancer diagnosis can change everything.
It can turn routines upside down and challenge your sense of control. The diagnosis itself can come suddenly, but finding a way to live with it takes time — and that’s okay.
Everyone’s experience with GIST is different.
Think of GIST as a journey. Below are some advices to help strengthen both body and mind, so you’ll be better equipped to handle the challenges of the disease and its treatment. Always remember, you have a supportive community by your side.
Making healthy lifestyle choices is important for everyone—including those who are being treated for cancer.
Adopting healthy habits such as avoiding smoking, maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and keeping a healthy weight may be beneficial. While their direct impact on specific health conditions like GIST cannot be guaranteed, these positive changes can enhance your overall health and well-being.
The emotional burdens people with GIST and other cancers often face include uncertainty, stress, anger, depression, guilt, grief, and fear. It’s crucial to know you’re not alone. Emotional support from counselors, support groups, and loved ones is vital.
In addition to emotional support, a broader approach called supportive care aims to improve overall quality of life for patients and their families by preventing and relieving pain and other physical, emotional, and spiritual issues. This may involve nutritional changes, relaxation techniques, and emotional and spiritual support. Studies show that supportive care enhances quality of life by addressing both emotional and physical needs, providing a comprehensive approach to managing life-threatening illnesses.
Whether you’re currently undergoing treatment, or you’ve been pronounced low risk or cancer free, follow-up care is going to be part of your life. You can expect regular check ins with your doctor and periodic tests that may include MRI or CT scans.
For many patients, this can lead to a feeling of scan anxiety, that anxious feeling that comes with the wait for your latest test result.
When dealing with scan anxiety, it’s important to understand why your doctors are running tests.
They monitor scans closely because each tumor is different—some grow slowly and may show little progress for years, but can become more serious later. Others may be controlled by medication but can develop resistance over time.
GIST specialists have the experience managing the disease and will work with you to create the best treatment plan possible, whether it’s different drugs, surgery, or even a clinical trial.
You can discuss the different options with your physician.
This website is an initiative of Deciphera, aimed at providing valuable information to the general public.
The information provided on this website is intended solely for disease awareness and educational purposes. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have any doubts or concerns about your health, please consult your healthcare professional.
The images in this material are purely illustrative and do not refer to real patients. Any reference to people is to be considered random.
@2025 Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, LLC. Deciphera, and the Deciphera logo are trademarks of Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, LLC.
DCPH-P02161 | July 2025
