We asked, you answered! While most people mean well and have great intentions, finding the right words to say to a cancer patient can be challenging.
Cancer Support
I am a voice for patients who are burdened by hospital bills, underinsured or struggling with complex medical decisions. I act as an advocate to help them get the medication, treatment and coverage they need. I fight through insurance and legislative red tape to break down financial barriers. I spend days, months and sometimes years working with a patient until all of their medical needs are met.
The family and loved ones of someone diagnosed with cancer are often as affected by the illness as the patient. In many ways, caregivers are the unsung heroes of the cancer journey.
Cancer patients and survivors struggle with a lot of tough questions. Will I be cured? Will I relapse? When will my body be back to normal? These are just some of the questions I think about on a daily basis, but they have an even stronger presence at the start of a new year.
A healthy body weight is not just about your physical appearance; it is a general reflection of your overall health. Obesity is a prevalent problem in the United States. Nearly 69% of adults and 32% of children in the United States are considered overweight or obese, according to data from 2009-2010. Obesity is linked to increased risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease — and cancer.
Most of us experience stress in our hectic, day-to-day lives. However, a person in cancer treatment might struggle with intensified feelings of anxiety, depression or fear.
One day Barb Murak stopped by the waiting room of the Urology Clinic at Roswell Park and noticed several guys flipping idly through Field & Stream magazine, heads down, as they waited for their appointments. She had an idea.
If a loved one is dealing with a cancer diagnosis during the holiday season, reach out and suggest what you can do to help. It’s a common wish for the holidays to be as normal as possible and to celebrate like they always have, but limitations of energy and finances loom large.
It’s a familiar refrain among nurses, and one that rings especially true for me: “I knew that I wanted to be a nurse as far back as I can remember.”
Remember how much fun you used to have with a coloring book and a box of crayons? Molly Gold, one of six Artists-in-Residence at Roswell Park, says adults are often surprised when they rediscover the activity. “People say, ‘Oh, my gosh, this is so relaxing! I haven’t colored since I was ten years old.’”
Coping with a cancer diagnosis can be an overwhelming experience, particularly the time before starting treatment. No one expects to hear they have cancer — symptoms are often attributed to other causes, such as the flu or an infection. Adjusting to your diagnosis is a process and there is not a right or wrong way to feel.
Musicians Craig Hodnett, Daniel McCue and Peter Hassett have been volunteering at Roswell Park for more than six years! You can find The Buffalo Guys in the Roswell Park lobby every Tuesday afternoon at 2 p.m. playing some of their favorite songs and cracking jokes.