Guest Blog by David Haas
A cancer diagnosis can be a life changing event for many people, but having a caring and nurturing support network can make cancer treatment and recovery easier.
Cancer is usually caused by the uncontrolled replication of cells in a body, outside of normal regulatory mechanisms. While some forms of cancer can be asymptomatic, cancer treatments such as chemotherapy may cause a variety of symptoms in a patient. Chemotherapy works by preventing growth of rapidly reproducing cells. While this does prevent malignant cells from reproducing, chemotherapy can also impact other rapidly growing cells, leading to hair loss, libido changes, energy loss, depression, and systemic pain.
A support network can be a valuable tool in a cancer treatment program. While a doctor can be a valuable resource for medical information, it’s important to have a group of people one can relate to in a non-professional environment. Cancer support networks are available for a wide range of patients, ranging from rare cancers like mesothelioma to more common cancers like pancreatic cancer and breast cancer.
Many cancer patients can feel isolated, and may feel that no one understands what they are going through. While friends and family are an important part of a support network, a patient may feel that these people are unable to relate to what they are going through. By joining a support network, an individual undergoing chemotherapy can discuss symptoms, diet, exercise, and therapy with other people going through the same experience as him or her.
A cancer support network can also help prevent anxiety and depression, while offering social and recreational opportunities for a patient. If a patient is isolated during treatment, he or she may experience an existential crisis. Many cancer support networks offer a variety of recreational opportunities appropriate for patients, including vacations, simple sports activities, and shopping opportunities. Exercise is an important part of cancer therapy, and a support network offers the opportunity to interact and physically engage with individuals similar to one’s self.
Cancer support networks can also be valuable for patients concerned about their symptoms. While a doctor or therapist can provide textbook definitions of symptoms a patient may experience, it can be valuable to hear real life stories from other cancer survivors, and learn how they dealt with symptoms and emotional distress during recovery.
Cancer is usually caused by the uncontrolled replication of cells in a body, outside of normal regulatory mechanisms. While some forms of cancer can be asymptomatic, cancer treatments such as chemotherapy may cause a variety of symptoms in a patient. Chemotherapy works by preventing growth of rapidly reproducing cells. While this does prevent malignant cells from reproducing, chemotherapy can also impact other rapidly growing cells, leading to hair loss, libido changes, energy loss, depression, and systemic pain.
A support network can be a valuable tool in a cancer treatment program. While a doctor can be a valuable resource for medical information, it’s important to have a group of people one can relate to in a non-professional environment. Cancer support networks are available for a wide range of patients, ranging from rare cancers like mesothelioma to more common cancers like pancreatic cancer and breast cancer.
Many cancer patients can feel isolated, and may feel that no one understands what they are going through. While friends and family are an important part of a support network, a patient may feel that these people are unable to relate to what they are going through. By joining a support network, an individual undergoing chemotherapy can discuss symptoms, diet, exercise, and therapy with other people going through the same experience as him or her.
A cancer support network can also help prevent anxiety and depression, while offering social and recreational opportunities for a patient. If a patient is isolated during treatment, he or she may experience an existential crisis. Many cancer support networks offer a variety of recreational opportunities appropriate for patients, including vacations, simple sports activities, and shopping opportunities. Exercise is an important part of cancer therapy, and a support network offers the opportunity to interact and physically engage with individuals similar to one’s self.
Cancer support networks can also be valuable for patients concerned about their symptoms. While a doctor or therapist can provide textbook definitions of symptoms a patient may experience, it can be valuable to hear real life stories from other cancer survivors, and learn how they dealt with symptoms and emotional distress during recovery.
By: David Haas
