When cancer patients finish treatment, they enter a new phase: learning how to live after cancer. When you ring that Victory Bell, life does not necessarily return to normal. You must adjust to managing the long-term effects of treatment to ensure a healthy, happy and active life.
Cancer Support
During my cancer journey, I relied heavily on peer support. I needed to vent my feelings to someone who knew exactly what I was going through. I needed advice from young patients who walked this path before and understood the obstacles and emotional strain I dealt with on a daily basis.
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.
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.
Energy fuels the body's internal functions to help us perform at optimal levels. When energy is low, everything takes longer to accomplish and seems more difficult.
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.
In 2015, RPCI Cancer Talk introduced you to four remarkable women — Casey, Katie, Sharon and Mindi — whose stories of survival touched and inspired us.
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.