Free Support Available for Ovarian Cancer and Prostate Cancer Patients

September 2, 2010

September is both Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

CancerCare partnered with L’Oreal Paris and Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF) to create a free telephone counseling and referral service for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. 

Launched one year ago, The L’Oreal Paris OCRF Hopeline has proven to be a great source of support for many women facing an ovarian cancer diagnosis. The Hopeline is staffed by professional oncology social workers and operates Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time.

Call the L’Oréal Paris OCRF Hope Line at 877-OV-HOPE-1 (877-684-6731).

CancerCare responded to the needs of men facing prostate cancer by publishing two new fact sheets: Caring for Your Bones When You Have Prostate Cancer and Prostate Cancer: What You Should Know About Screening and Diagnosis. 

For more resources on these cancers, including additional publications, support groups and archived connect education workshops, visit the diagnoses pages on our website.

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New Book Helps Those Affected by Cancer Cope; Portion of Proceeds from Sales Donated to CancerCare

August 11, 2010

Richard C. Frank, MD’s new book, Fighting Cancer with Knowledge and Hope: A Guide for Patients, Families, and Health Care Providers, is a must-read for anyone affected by cancer. A portion of proceeds from sales of the book will be donated to CancerCare, ensuring that we are able to continue providing free, professional support services to people all across the country.

Fighting Cancer inspires patients to feel in control at a time when they may feel powerless. The many topics the book discusses include:

• What cancer is and how it spreads

• How to reconcile emotional needs alongside medical treatment

• Why particular treatment strategies are chosen and how they work

• How patients can visualize treatments at work in the body and why this is helpful

You can order a copy of the book here, or through Amazon.com.

We also encourage you to visit Dr. Frank’s Fighting Cancer blog.

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The First 100 Days: Article Explores How Newly Diagnosed Can Better Cope with Treatment

July 27, 2010

A new online quarterly magazine from the Lance Armstrong Foundation examines how complete patient care–physical as well as emotional–is being increasingly emphasized as a critical component in the treatment of cancer patients.

Traditional care has focused mainly on treating cancer as a medical condition in which emotional concerns and issues resulting from the diagnosis are often downplayed or not addressed at all. This is changing, as more and more oncologists and other health care providers acknowledge the integral role of counseling and emotional support for patients, their families, and caregivers.

Oncology social workers provide critical support to patients, notes CancerCare’s Win Boerckel, who is quoted in the article;  they can “help people normalize the experience of having cancer, so they can answer questions from their children or get to their next chemo appointment.”

Read the article, “Surviving the First 100 Days,” in the debut issue of LIVESTRONG Quarterly , beginning on page 22.

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Supporting a Friend Affected by Cancer

May 17, 2010

The inspirational online community for women Girlfriendology recently showcased helpful ways to support a girlfriend affected by cancer.

The article, written by CancerCare Director of Women’s Cancers Laura Mosiello, provides great tips such as:

• Ask your friend how she’s coping. Let her know you’re available to listen, but don’t push her to talk if she doesn’t feel like it.

• Offer to help with practical things like household chores or running errands.

• In the event she’s hospitalized, bring her a blanket, comfy slippers, a magazine—anything to make her feel more comfortable.

• Check in regularly throughout treatment and even once it’s over. Emotional side effects can linger long after treatment ends.

Keep in mind, however, that you are not expected to be your friend’s sole source of support. CancerCare provides free support services to anyone affected by cancer.

Check out the full blog post and the complete list of tips here.

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Presidential Mandate Allows Extended Hospital Visitation Rights to the LGBT Community

April 23, 2010

CancerCare applauds President Obama’s April 15 memorandum that ends sexual-orientation-based discrimination in hospital visitation rights and ensures that all people receive equal hospital visitation privileges.

The new rule, which the President directed Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius to implement within the next 180 days, will affect any hospital that receives Medicare or Medicaid funding–that is, the majority of the nation’s health-care institutions.

Previously, hospitals were able to bar visitors who are not related to a patient by blood or marriage; and to prevent same-sex couples’ efforts to designate a partner to make medical decisions on their behalf should they become incapacitated.  Also affected by these policies were widows or widowers with no children, members of a religious order, or others whose loved ones who were not the patient’s immediate relatives.

The new rules are seen as a major step forward for the rights of same-sex partners and their families.

Read the presidential mandate in its entirety here

Addressing concerns unique to the LGBT population are among the many specialized programs offered by CancerCare’s staff of oncology social workers. Our services, all completely free of charge, include individual counseling, support groups, financial assistance, and community programs, available to anyone facing a cancer diagnosis.

Learn more about CancerCare’s supportive services for the LGBT community.

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Survivorship Workshop Series Begins Apr. 13

March 23, 2010

This Spring, CancerCare, in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute, LIVESTRONG, Intercultural Cancer Council, Living Beyond Breast Cancer and National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, will present a four-part telephone workshop series, The Eighth Annual Cancer Survivorship Series: Living With, Through & Beyond Cancer

This free series, made possible by support from the National Cancer Institute and LIVESTRONG, offers cancer survivors, their families, friends and health care professionals practical information to help them cope with concerns and issues that arise after treatment ends.

Part I, which takes place on Tuesday, April 13th, is entitled, Trouble Sleeping? Sleep Better to Feel Better: Tips You Can Use. The faculty for this program includes Elizabeth D. McKinley, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Dean, Emily Blackwell Society, Case School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University; Sonia Ancoli-Israel, PhD, Director, Gillin Sleep and Chronomedicine Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, Professor of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego; and Stewart B. Fleishman, MD, Director, Supportive Services, Continuum Cancer Centers of New York, Beth Israel Medical Center, St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital. 

Part II, Communicating with Your Health Care Team After Treatment: Making the Most of Your Visit, will take place on May 18th.  Part III, Survivorship and Workplace Transitions, will take place on June 22nd.  And Part IV, Survivors Too: Communicating With and Among Family, Friends and Loved Ones, will take place on July 13th. All of the workshops take place from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

These workshops are free – no phone charges apply.  However, pre-registration is required.  To register simply go to the CancerCare website, www.cancercare.org/connect.  Please plan to join us, and share this information with cancer survivors, their caregivers and your colleagues.

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Many Caregivers Stressed, Says Study; Help is Available

December 30, 2009

caregiverpicA recent study conducted by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP found that nearly one in three Americans is a caregiver for a loved one. A majority of caregivers are female (66%) and the average age is 48 years old. Caregivers provide 20 hours on average of care per week and the average duration of caregiving lasts 4.6 years. The study also found that there is a substantial increase in the number of caregivers today as compared to 5 years ago (44.4 million vs. 65.7 million). Cancer was reported as one of the main reasons people need care and 31% of those who responded said that they were highly stressed by caregiving.

The good news is that caregivers are receiving more assistance than they were 5 years ago. This is important because 1 in 6 caregivers reported that providing care to a loved one negatively impacted their own health.

To support those caregiving for a loved one with cancer, CancerCare provides Caregiver Support Services, including counseling, support groups (including online), educational workshops and publications.

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New Survey Highlights Financial Impact on Cancer Patients, Caregivers

December 21, 2009

According to new survey results from the Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW), more than half of cancer patients reported that the costs related to cancer negatively impact their ability to focus on their recovery. Experiencing financial strain can also affect how the patient makes treatment decisions.

Other key findings include:
68% reported financial hardship due to medical bills
46% had to cut back on living expenses to pay for their treatment
40% said that they depleted their savings
30% reported having to deal with bill collectors
66% of patients who faced major financial challenges report suffering from depression/anxiety

These findings reinforce the need for patients and their loved ones to seek guidance and support. While patients reported experiencing significant stress, only 1/3 sought out the help of a social worker. It’s important to know that there are professionals who are experienced in navigating care systems and who can provide supportive counseling.

To speak with an oncology social worker, contact us at 1-800-813-4673.

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1000 Cranes of Hope

December 14, 2009

The ancient Japanese tradition of senbazuru promises that a person who folds 1000 origami cranes will be granted a wish, such as long life or recovery from illness.

Boston-based Millennium Pharmaceuticals, owned by the Japanese pharmaceutical, The Takeda Company, recently launched a website honoring the senbazuru tradition, where people facing cancer–patients, caregivers, loved ones–can express their hopes and wishes for the New Year. Each message of hope posted at the site is represented by a bird-shaped paper figurine.

 Millennium Pharmaceuticals is a funder of CancerCare’s Door to Door program, which provides financial assistance to cover transportation costs for people undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma.

Leave your wish at 1000 Cranes of Hope.com (the site is free but log-in registration is required). For every wish left at the site, Millennium will make a donation to a healthcare-related charity.

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New CDC Guidelines Recommend Flu Vaccine for Cancer Patients, Survivors

November 23, 2009

 A new online resource  from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) answers some important questions about seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu for cancer patients and survivors.

While cancer patients and survivors may not be at any greater risk for infection with either 2009 H1N1 flu or seasonal flu, the CDC cautions that cancer patients and survivors are at higher risk for hospitalization and  potentially life-threatening complications from all types of flu.

The CDC recommends that people who have cancer or a history of cancer should receive a seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 flu shot (not the nasal spray vaccine). The seasonal flu vaccine alone is not expected to protect against 2009 H1N1 flu. Household members and caregivers of cancer patients and survivors also should be vaccinated against both types of flu.

Find out more at www.cdc.gov/cancer/flu

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