Living and Coping with cancer

1. ELSHAMI M. ELAMIN, MD Medical Oncologist CENTRAL CARE CANCER CENTER Living and Coping with cancer

2. INTRODUCTION • When doctor says the word “cancer”: • People can be overwhelmed • Cancer diagnosis often brings: • Disbelief • Sadness • Anxiety • Anger • Feelings of fear • Confusion • Feelings of helplessness

7. INTRODUCTION • Cancer diagnosis may lead to a change in: • Person's priorities: • Relationships • Career • Lifestyle

8. COPING WITH CANCER • WHAT CANCER PATIENT NEEDS? • Help to answer common questions about cancer. • Help to feel more in control of his/her health.

9. Who are the main players to help in coping with cancer?

11. ROLE OF THE PATIENT

12. First doctor visit

13. When you meet your health care team: • Learn the medical terms • Will help making informed decisions about cancer treatment • Ask for a simpler explanation when don’t understand something • Ask to see: • Drawings • Pictures • X-Rays

14. Seeking information • Understand your disease • Process of diagnosis • Treatment options REMEMBER: During the initial visit, absorbing the news of the cancer and its unfamiliar medical language may be difficult and overwhelming

15. Some patients want to know more information while others less

16. When you get home: • Try to take care of yourself while coping with this news • Start learning about your disease • Seek the support of family, friends, and others • Find other ways to express your feelings • Write down your questions for the next doctor visits

18. GET ORGANIZED • Because: • In a short period: • Various doctors’ visits • Gather a large amount of paperwork • Test results • Personal notes • Talking to insurance Create a system

19. Back again to see your health care team: • Ask your questions again • May bring a family/friend • Not only be supportive, but can also help listen to and remember information

22. Being an informed, involved patient is helpful to you and your health care team in forming a partnership in your care. • Tell them how you prefer to be given information about your diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. • Don't be afraid to ask questions or to let your doctor know that you don't know what questions to ask.

23. The following questions may be appropriate to ask your health care team: • What is the exact type and name of the cancer I have? • How was it diagnosed? • What tests were taken and what did they show? • Will I need additional tests? • What stage is the cancer and what does that mean? • What are my treatment options? • What are the possible side effects of this treatment option, both in the short term and the long term? • What clinical trials are open to me? • Who will be coordinating my overall treatment and follow-up care? • Who will be part of my health care team, and what does each member does? • If I’m worried about managing the costs related to my cancer care, who can help me with these concerns? • What support services are available to me and my family?

26. Second opinion • A second opinion is standard practice in medical care

27. Understanding your emotions • Illness changes our relationship to the world. • Remember: • There will be days when you cannot make yourself feel hopeful. • That is normal, especially if you feel physically sick or tired.

28. Get support • Sharing fears and anxieties with family or friends, counselors, support groups: • Strengthen patients emotionally, and perhaps even physically. • However, some may express their feelings in other ways: • Writing • Reading • Painting • Praying • Anxiety and depression: • If you find yourself not interested in normal activities for more than a few weeks, talk to your doctor.

29. Fear of recurrence • Maintain your schedule of follow-up visits • Many cancer survivors describe feeling scared and nervous • These feelings may ease with time • To reduce a anxiety: • Discuss with your doctor: • The actual risk of recurrence • The symptoms to report

30. Health care provider ROLE OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDER

31. First patient visit

32. “Doctor’s most difficult duties” • Breaking Bad News: • Confirm medical facts • Review relevant clinical data • Arrange adequate time • Privacy • Allow for Questions • Allow for silence and tears • Emotionally prepare for the encounter • offer realistic hope

33. Dindir Park

34. Breaking Bad News • Keep in mind: • Socio-cultural differences: • Family barrier • What and how much information is provided • Participation in medical decision-making • Asian pts prefer: • Relatives be present more than Westerners do • To discuss their life expectancy less than Westerners • Religion and believes

35. Breaking Bad News • Patients' preferences for communication: • Differ based on: • Gender • Age • Level of education • Younger, female, highly educated patients desire to receive: • As much detailed information as possible • Emotional support

37. After the bad newsDoctors first focus on: • The physical effects of the disease • Treatment

38. Treatment options: • Help patients make more informed decisions about their health care • Patients also should know the short-term and long-term side effects of their treatment to anticipate how their needs may change in the future.

39. Treatment Side Effects

41. Caring for the Whole Patient

42. Caring for the Whole Patient • The health care team should address the psychosocial effects of the cancer: • Lack of information and support • Emotional difficulties • Depression and anxiety • Lack of transportation • Disruptions to work, school, and family life • Paying for medical bills

44. Emotional support • Patients with untreated depression or anxiety: • Less likely to take their medication • More likely to withdraw from family and others offering support

45. Emotional support • Resources and services: • Peer support groups (Victory in the Valley) • Individual or group counseling • Medication

46. Lifestyle changes • Part of cancer treatment plan may includes: • Change in lifestyle and habits • Change in physical activity levels • Change in diet • Quit smoking

48. Managing life disruptions • Change in work schedulesor stop working • The Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act provide legal protection for disruptions in work due to cancer treatment • Trouble performing daily activities • Home care

49. What to expect after completing treatment • What treatmentpatient received • Schedule for follow-up • Learn the definitions of medical terms • Keep a complete record of medical care • Manage Side Effects

50. Port-Sudan The Red Sea