Free Support Groups for People Affected by Cancer

January 12, 2012

CancerCare offers free support groups for anyone affected by cancer, including people with cancer, their caregivers, friends and loved ones, and the bereaved.

A cancer diagnosis can bring many difficult emotions, including fear, anxiety, and a feeling of isolation. Support groups connect you with others in a similar situation who may relate to what you are experiencing.

We offer diagnosis-specific support groups, such as a group for people affected by colorectal cancer, as well as specialized support groups, including groups for men with cancer, young adults with cancer, and parents of children with cancer.

CancerCare’s support groups are led by professional oncology social workers, and are available online, over the telephone, and face-to-face in our offices in New York City, Long Island, New Jersey, and Connecticut. To learn more about CancerCare‘s telephone and face-to-face support groups or to register, call 800‑813‑HOPE (4673).

Online support groups are password-protected, and members must go through a registration process. After completing the registration process, members can participate 24 hours, 7 days a week. New online support groups will be offered starting February 1.

View all of CancerCare’s free support groups.

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Posted by Kyle Hornyak

Essence Magazine Shares Breast Cancer Coping Tips for African-American Women

October 31, 2011

A new article in Essence magazine, “The Black Woman’s Guide to Breast Cancer,” offers tips on breast cancer prevention and screening, as well as on coping with a breast cancer diagnosis.

CancerCare Director of Education and Training Carolyn Messner, DSW is quoted in the article. She shares practical ways to support a friend who has been diagnosed, such as arranging a gift basket with some favorite pampering products.

The article appears in the October 2011 issue of Essence, on newsstands now.

CancerCare’s fact sheet, “What You Need to Know about Breast Cancer: A Guide for Newly Diagnosed African American Women,” offers more tips on coping with breast cancer. Read the fact sheet.

Learn more about CancerCare’s free services for women affected by breast cancer.

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Posted by Kyle Hornyak

CancerCare to Honor Leading Cancer Experts at Annual Tribute

October 25, 2011

Dr. Noopur Raje, MD, director of Mass General’s Center for Multiple Myeloma, will be presented with CancerCare‘s Physician of the Year award during our annual “Tribute to Our Friends”  ceremony, on October 27 at our national office in New York City.

Dr. Raje, who is also an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, has been a presenter in numerous Connect Education Workshops focused on multiple myeloma. CancerCare‘s educational workshops are one-hour live discussions with leading oncologists across the country that can be listened to over the telephone or online.

Dr. Noopur Raje, MD

Listen to Dr. Raje’s recent presentation on “Coping with the Stress of Caregiving When Your Loved One Has Multiple Myeloma.”

CancerCare will also honor Guadalupe R. Palos, DrPH with our Interdisciplinary Award. Dr. Palos’ career in oncology has included roles as a health educator, clinician in cancer prevention and detection, and researcher in symptom research.

Dr. Guadalupe R. Palos, DrPH

Listen to Dr. Palos present on “Understanding the Important Role of Adherence in the Medical Management of Cancer.”

View all of CancerCare’s upcoming Connect Education Workshops.

CancerCare will also honor the Dan Ferrante Memorial Fund Committee with the Special Fund of the Year Award. The committee was created in memory of Dan Ferrante, who died from lung cancer in 2005, with the goal of raising funds to support people facing cancer. To date, the Dan Ferrante Memorial Fund Committee has raised more than $100,000 in support of CancerCare’s free services for anyone affected by cancer.

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Posted by Kyle Hornyak

Working During Cancer Treatment

September 21, 2011

In the latest issue of The Oncology Nurse, CancerCare Director of Education and Training Carolyn Messner, DSW provides tips on coping with cancer treatments while continuing to work.

The article addresses:

  • Legal protections that prevent discrimination in the workplace
  • Emotional concerns about returning to work
  • Ways that a workplace can accommodate people coping with cancer
  • Young adults’ unique concerns

Read the article.

CancerCare’s professional oncology social workers recently answered your questions about workplace issues through the “Ask CancerCare” section of our website.

You can also listen to podcasts of our Connect Education Workshops on Cancer and the Workplace and Survivorship and Workplace Transitions.

Learn more about CancerCare’s free resources on coping with cancer in the workplace.

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Posted by Kyle Hornyak

Resources for Post-Transplant Survivors

August 22, 2011

Celebrating a Second Chance at Life is a two-day event for bone marrow, stem cell, and cord blood transplant survivors and their loved ones.

Taking place Sept. 10-11 in Atlanta, GA, this symposium covers topics such as how to manage the emotional challenges of long-term survivorship, family planning after a transplant, navigating insurance issues, and coping with chemobrain.

Learn more about this event.

CancerCare also offers survivorship resources including information about coping with chemobrain and post-treatment survivorship issues. Professionally moderated post-treatment support groups are also available.

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Questions About Post-Treatment Survivorship? Ask CancerCare

August 3, 2011

Advances in treatment are allowing more people than ever before to live with and beyond cancer. Today, there are more than 12 million cancer survivors in the United States. A cancer diagnosis can have long-term effects on a person’s physical health, emotional well-being, and finances, long after their treatment has ended. 

Do you have questions or concerns about being a cancer survivor? Submit your question to CancerCare.

CancerCare oncology social worker Maria Chi, LCSW will answer questions through the month of August in the “Ask CancerCare” section of our website. Questions are submitted anonymously, and responses to selected questions will be posted on the “Ask CancerCare” section of our website.

CancerCare offers free, professional support services on post-treatment survivorship including our recent Connect Education Workshop, “Survivorship and Workplace Transitions,” and free publications such as After Treatment Ends: Tools for the Adult Cancer Survivor.

Visit our website to learn more about CancerCare’s free resources for post-treatment cancer survivors.

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Posted by Kyle Hornyak

Survivorship Focus of Free Connect Education Workshop on July 12

July 1, 2011

On Tuesday, July 12, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time, CancerCare, in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute: Office of Cancer Survivorship and Office of Communications and Education, LIVESTRONG, American Cancer Society, Intercultural Cancer Council, Living Beyond Breast Cancer and National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, will present a free, telephone workshop entitled: Fear of Recurrence and Late Effects: Living With Uncertaintity. 

You can listen to this program on the telephone or via live streaming through the internet.  This workshop is the last of the four-part series, The Ninth Annual Cancer Survivorship Series: Living With, Through and Beyond Cancer.

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

The faculty for the July 12 program includes:

  • Richard Dickens, MSW, Survivor Perspective, Blood Cancers Program Coordinator, Mind/Body/Spirit Project Coordinator, CancerCare
  • Merle H. Mishel, RN, PhD, FAAN, Kenan Professor, School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • David Spiegel, MD, Jack, Sam and Lulu Willson Professor in the School of Medicine, Associate Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine

This workshop is free – no phone charges apply.  However, pre-registration is required.  To register, and for more information, simply go to the CancerCare website, www.cancercare.org/connect_workshops.

If you missed Parts I, II or III of the series, they are available as podcasts, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 

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Posted by Kyle Hornyak

New Article Addresses Challenges Faced by Young Adults with Cancer

June 22, 2011

CancerCare CEO Helen H. Miller, LCSW addresses the unique challenges faced by young adults with cancer in the latest issue of Oncology Nurse Advisor.

While many young adults are focused on things like education, careers, or dating and starting a family, young adults with cancer may find themselves confronting different concerns, such as where to get the best medical care or how to pay for expensive treatments.

Miller’s article provides tips on how health care professionals can help young adults cope with a cancer diagnosis, and offers valuable resources young adults can turn to for support.

Read the article.

CancerCare provides free, specialized services for young adults affected by cancer, including counseling, support groups, and educational workshops.

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Posted by Kyle Hornyak

CancerCare Social Workers Share Expertise on Coping with Cancer at AOSW’s Annual Conference

May 13, 2011

Several of CancerCare’s professional oncology social workers shared their clinical expertise with social workers from around the country during last weekend’s Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW) Annual Conference in St. Louis, MO, May 4-6. 

Erin Columbus, LMSW spoke about effectively moderating support groups in an online environment.

Nicole DiMartino, MSW offered solutions for managing and coping with the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis in adolescents.

Richard R. Dickens, LCSW-R spoke about the cancer experience in older adults, and how relaxation and mind/body techniques can help people cope with the emotional and physical challenges of cancer and treatment side effects.

Carolyn Messner, DSW presented on global health issues and how to improve the sharing of knowledge and expertise with colleagues at home and abroad.

Kristy Case, LMSW presented on the importance of post-treatment care for breast cancer survivors.

“For many people, the emotional impact and stress of a cancer diagnosis doesn’t end once they’ve finished with their treatment,” noted Case.  “It’s important for patients and their families to work with their health care team before their treatment ends to ensure that their emotional and practical needs are addressed and to create a smoother transition into post-treatment.”

CancerCare CEO Helen H. Miller, LCSW wrote about the importance of post-treatment care in a recent issue of Oncology Nurse Advisor magazine.  Read the article.

Upcoming CancerCare Connect® Education Workshops will address issues for patients and caregivers following the end of treatment, as part of its 9th Annual Series on Cancer Survivorship, featuring cancer experts from around the country in a live one-hour conference that can be listened to over the telephone or via live stream from CancerCare‘s website.

The next workshop, Stress Management for Caregivers: Taking Care of Yourself Physically and Emotionally, will take place Tuesday, June 14. Pre-registration for these free workshops is required.  To register, and to learn more, visit www.cancercare.org/connect.

CancerCare offers specialized services for post-treatment survivors and their loved ones, including support groups, counseling, and free publications. Learn more.

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Posted by Kyle Hornyak

TV Shows Bring Health Issues to the Forefront

April 7, 2011

More and more characters in popular TV shows are facing serious health issues as part of their storylines, according to a recent article in Variety,  the leading trade paper for the entertainment industry.

Series  like “House,” “Parenthood,” and “Army Wives” have shed light on subjects like Asperger’s syndrome and diabetes—topics not usually seen on primetime network or cable television.

Showtime drama, “The Big C,”  is another prime example. Starring celebrated actress Laura Linney, the cable network show, which debuted last fall,  explores how one woman’s world is turned upside down after being diagnosed with Stage 4 melanoma.

Jenny Bicks, the series’ executive producer and herself a cancer survivor, says she is astounded by the volume of responses of viewers about the show.  “I think ["The Big C" has] had an impact on people who are not only [coping with cancer], but have loved ones going through it,” she tells Variety.

CancerCare will honor Bicks at its Annual Spring Gala on Thursday, June 9 at 6:30 pm in New York City. Learn more about how to purchase tickets or become an event sponsor.

Read the Variety article (registration required).

What do you think? Has a fictional television show or character helped you better understand a health issue, or even changed the way you approach your own or your family’s health? Share your thoughts with us here, or post on our facebook wall.

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Posted by Kyle Hornyak

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