Living Beyond Cancer
The astounding advances in
cancer treatment and early detection have resulted
in an increase in the number of cancer survivors
from three million to almost 10 million individuals.
Patients are learning to live with remission, coping
with the fear of relapse and reintegrating into family
and work. However, this period of change may cause
anxiety and adjustments in family roles and responsibilities.
In addition, cancer survivors are often reluctant
to talk about their concerns in order to avoid the
appearance of being ungrateful for the life that
has been returned to them. It is this very reluctance
to talk with family members and health care providers
that places a cancer survivor at risk for developing
late effects of cancer treatment, depression and
difficulty returning to "normal' life.
Now What?
There are a lot of questions and concerns survivors
have after being pronounced cancer-free since cancer
alters many areas of their lives. Common issues include:
- Fear
and anxiety over cancer reoccurrence
- Exercise and weight
management
- Overall health
- Employment
- Memory and concentration
changes
- Spirituality
"Sometimes when you hear those
magic words that "you are in remission" from
your oncologist, you enter a new world of adjustment
and change", says Margie Tillett, Director,
UCH Cancer Program. "Similar to the time after
diagnosis, education and communication are key," she
explains.
Keep an open dialogue with
those who helped you during your treatment. Your
medical team, including your oncologist and primary
care doctor, can provide you with a cancer survivorship
plan that details the screenings, post-tests, and
follow-up appointments you should attend over the
next fifteen, twenty or twenty-five years. They can
also give you information on the long term side
effects of treatment and discuss your chance for cancer
recurrence.
The Upper Chesapeake Cancer
LifeNet Nurse Navigators can link you to support
services for your physical, emotional, and financial
needs even if you were not a patient at Upper Chesapeake
Health. "Our Navigators
have access to a variety of support services that survivors
may not be aware of but that can benefit them. The
only criterion for current patients and survivors is
that they be a resident of either Harford or Cecil
County," says Ms. Tillett.
For more information on the services available to
cancer survivors, please contact the Cancer LifeNet
helpline at 1-866-393-4355.
What Should I Do To Maintain
My Health and Well-Being?
In the past, people with cancer were told to go
home and rest. We now know that regular moderate
exercise can actually improve quality of life by
preventing muscle wasting and promoting independence.
Research has shown that most cancer patients can
safely participate in an exercise program even
when receiving cancer treatment. The benefits of
such a program have been shown to decrease nausea,
reduce fatigue and improve balance. The Cancer
Activity and Rehabilitative Exercise for Survivors
(CARES) is designed for patients currently being
treated for cancer as well as patients who are
in remission. This program consists of individualized
and group exercise classes and one-on-one functional
assessment. The goal of the CARES program is to
improve participants:
- Quality of life;
- Aerobic functional
capacity;
- Energy level; and
- Neuromuscular
function.
A medical release signed by
your physician and a physical therapy evaluation
are required to join the program. The program
is offered at the YMCA located at 101 Walter
Ward Boulevard in Abingdon, MD 21009. For more
information, please call Cancer LifeNet at 1-866-393-4355. |
back
to top |
