Intellectual
Learning more about cancer, the various treatment options and ways to cope can be very beneficial.
Click the boxes below to learn more about researching cancer, exploring complementary therapies, and managing schedules and information.
We provide links to relevant articles and helpful websites below to help you gather information and keep it all straight.
There can be such a thing as too much information. Researching your cancer can be draining, overwhelming, scary, and make you feel even more insecure. These are perfectly legitimate reasons NOT to research your cancer. But, with the right amount of knowledge, you can be empowered to ask intelligent questions of your health care providers, find new treatment information, and develop better ways to cope. By reading the following articles, you will help identify what level of information is right for you. As you research, keep in mind your sources. Question sources you don’t trust, and make sure the information you’re reading is up to date, because medications and treatment do change. The sources listed below are some of the most well-respected in the industry.
Articles:
- “All About Advanced Cancer,” American Cancer Society
- “A Patient’s Guide to Clinical Trials,” CURE Magazine
- “A Patient’s Guide to Metastatic Cancer,” CURE Magazine
- “Cancer Clinical Trials,” National Cancer Institute
- “Cancer’s Secrets Come Into Sharper Focus,” George Johnson
- “Metastatic Cancer: The Basics,” OncoLink
- “Metastasis: The Killing Fields,” Anita Slomski
- “NCCS Resource Guide,” National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
- “Picture This: Cancer,” New York Times (Video)
- “Pros and Cons of Researching Your Cancer,” Cancer Guide
- “Push Hard For the Answers You Require,” Denise Grady
- “Walking the Fine Line Between Staying Informed and Becoming Obsessed,” Alesia Shute
- “Before Treatment: Understanding Clinical Trials,” Cure Magazine
Websites:
Massage, chiropractic, acupuncture, aroma therapy, reiki, therapeutic touch and herbal remedies are some non-medical therapies available that might help. How to find out what makes sense for you? Ask a social worker at your local hospital who specializes in oncology. Also, ask your doctor if you have any limitations. Some doctors don’t recommend deep tissue massage for people with lymphoma, but would allow lighter massage. You have many choices. Read below to discover what’s out there and where to find it near you.
Articles:
- “Complementary/Integrative Medicine Education Resources,” MD Anderson Cancer Center
- “Cancer Treatment: Complementary and Alternative Medicine,” MedicineNet
- “For Breast Cancer Survivors, a Long Road Back to ‘Normal’”Liz Szabo
- “The Healing Journey,” Kathy LaTour
- “Meditation Improves the Well Being of Breast Cancer Survivors,” Pam Harrison
- “Regimens: Soothing Melodies for Cancer Patients,” Nicholas Bakalar
- “Relaxation Exercises,” Williams College
- “Stress and How to Cope with It,” Mental Health Foundation
- “Using Hypnosis to Gain More Control Over Your Illness,” Lesley Alderman
- “Yoga Can Improve Sleep for Cancer Survivors” Liz Szabo
Websites:
Hospital visits, treatment, follow-up appointments, medications at various times of the day. Not to mention grocery shopping, preparing meals, walking the dog, organizing babysitting, doing laundry, and carpooling. For many people with metastatic cancer, a whole new regimen has taken over your life. Staying on top of all these appointments and tasks can be tough especially if you’re experiencing fatigue and what is sometimes affectionately called “chemo brain.” This section offers you some tools and guidelines that can help get you organized.
Articles:
- “Cancer for the Long Haul,” Susan Meyers
- “Managing Your Care,” Cancer.net
Websites:
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