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Empower yourself with knowledge on supporting cancer patients emotionally and practically, understanding survivorship plans, and navigating life post-cancer treatment.
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Support for Patients and Caregivers Cancer 101 – Version 2 Learning Module 10
Learning Objectives At the completion of learning Module 10, you will be able to: • Describe two emotions a cancer patient might experience after diagnosis • Describe two ways to provide support to a patient facing cancer • Describe two ways to make caregiving less stressful
Learning Objectives (cont’d) • Give two examples of how cancer survivors can bring back balance to their lives • Describe the role of Survivorship Plans in follow-up care after cancer treatment ends
Journey of a Cancer Survivor • Step One: Diagnosis and Treatment • Step Two: Post-treatment • Step Three: Transition from specialty care to follow-up care • Step Four: Long-term survivorship
Living Beyond Cancer • More than 10 million people living with, through and beyond their cancer in the U.S. today. • 1 in 3 people will be diagnosed in their lifetime. • 3 in 4 families will care for a family member with cancer. Source: National Cancer Institute, Facing Forward: Life After Cancer Treatment
Who are cancer “survivors”? • Persons who have been diagnosed with cancer and the people in their lives who are affected by the diagnosis, including family members, friends, and caregivers Photo credit: Katherine J. Briant Source: National Action Plan for Cancer Survivorship
Coping with the Cancer Diagnosis • First few weeks are often the most emotional. • Feelings may change day to day, hour to hour, or even minute to minute. • Most people are able to move on and look forward to healing. • Remember - more people are surviving and living long lives after diagnosis!
How to be Supportive In helping someone face a cancer diagnosis: • Be the friend or loved one you’ve always been. • Be there like you always have been. • Don’t be afraid to share feelings. • Offer to help with child care. • Offer to give caregivers a break. Photo credit: Daniel Sone | Source: NCI
Getting Help, Receiving Support • No one needs to face cancer alone! • Emotional, spiritual, and practical support can be offered by family members, friends, other cancer patients, traditional healers, health providers, and community members. • Cancer patients who receive support are often better able to cope with their illness. • Those who give support benefit by being able to doing something meaningful.
Making caregiving less stressful • Offer relief from daily responsibilities. • Don’t try to do everything at once. • Know your limits. • Attend support groups. Photo credit: Rosemary Bliss
On the Path to Recovery • Suggestions for bringing a sense of balance back into life: • Get back into a routine • Return to work • Choose activities that have a purpose • Spend time with family and friends Photo credit: Andrew Prickett
Survivorship Care Plans • Recommended for survivors • Should include: • Summary of cancer diagnosis • Summary of cancer treatment • Follow-up plan for health care Photo credit: Daniel Sone | Source: NCI
Follow-up care • All cancer survivors should have follow-up care. • Follow-up care will depend on: • Type of cancer • Type of treatment • Overall health status • Doctor will check for side effects from treatment and whether cancer returns
In Summary • You now have an understanding of: • The psychological and social issues affecting cancer patients and their caregivers • The role Survivorship Care Plans play in follow-up care after treatment ends
