I use my knowledge of the mind and behavior to support people who are dealing with a medical illness; in this case, cancer.
Psychosocial Oncology
Roswell Park's End of Life and Bereavement program provides compassionate support for patients who have received a terminal diagnosis, as well as their families.
If you are a cancer patient, telling your friends, family and coworkers that you have cancer, talking about treatment and its challenges, and asking for help can be difficult, but research suggests that having a good support system during treatment can be extremely helpful and even improve cancer outcomes.
No one is ever prepared to hear, “It’s cancer.” After adjusting to the shock of this news, it’s normal to have questions—and some anxiety—about how it will impact your life. Social workers are here to guide you through these challenging moments.
It probably comes as no surprise to hear that alcohol and cancer do not make for a happy or healthy couple. But what if you or someone you know already had a preexisting relationship with large amounts of alcohol, before they were diagnosed with cancer?
It's easy to assume that CT scans, MRIs and X-rays are a painless part of the cancer treatment process. But as scan day approaches, the fear and anxiety grows too big to ignore. This common feeling is called scanxiety. And for patients, survivors and family members, the stress can interfere with quality of life.
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.
Many of us watched the recent 3-part Ken Burns PBS documentary, The Emperor of All Maladies.
One of the main stressors that people and patients may experience around the holidays is the pressure of expectations. There is gift giving, visiting with family, party planning and so on.