Download Living a Healthy Lifestyle during and after Cancer

Fall 2007
FYI
.
A newsletter for the patients & families of Comprehensive Cancer & Hematology Specialists
Living a Healthy Lifestyle during
and after Cancer
According to the Lance Armstrong
Foundation, living a healthy lifestyle is
especially important for cancer survivors
(remember, anyone who has ever been
diagnosed with cancer is a survivor). A healthy
lifestyle involves exercise, nutrition, stress
reduction and proper medical care. Need help
with one (or all) of these? Read on, and keep in
mind that checking with your healthcare team
prior to making any changes is essential.
“Exercise? You must be kidding!” you
might say. Now, we’re not necessarily talking
about training for a triathlon, here, although
there are whole groups of survivors out there
who do just that. During treatment, mild
exercise can actually help ward off fatigue,
according to the National Cancer Institute.
There are lots of ways to get started exercising.
Some are as simple as taking a walk or
gardening. See the box to the right for
programs that help you get started.
Nutrition for those undergoing cancer
treatments can be different from standard
healthy eating guidelines. You might need extra
protein, supplemental shakes, or be advised to
avoid high-fiber foods if diarrhea is a problem
for you. An individual nutritional plan can be
developed for you with the help of a registered
dietician, available through the various hospital
systems in the area.
Treatment for cancer brings its own kind
of stress. Different people use all different
New Feature – Stupid Trivia
Inspired by my 4-year old daughter asking what
the trench under her nose was called, we are
adding a stupid trivia question to each issue.
This time, the question is….What is the trench
under your nose called? Answer next issue!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Healthy Lifestyle…………………….………………….…..…….1
Finding Support/Free Stuff…….………………………………2
Kennedy Classes - Call 1-800-KHS-9007
www.kennedyhealth.org
Well-Being Yoga – free yoga sessions for people
with cancer in Sewell. Registration is needed.
A Haven Evening – mini-spa retreat for cancer
patients, including hand massages and nail
treatments. Offered periodically at Rizzieri
Haven Spa in Sewell.
Virtua Fox Chase Cancer Center Events/Classes
1-888-VIRTUA3 or www.virtua.org
In the Looking Glass – free program on
maintaining health and appearance for men and
women in treatment for cancer. Meets in
Voorhees.
Pink Ribbon Poetry – breast cancer survivors
meet to explore the healing power of poetry.
Group meets in Voorhees.
Beauty retreat for women fighting cancer –
Offered periodically at Rizzieri Salon in Marlton,
this group offers tips on enhancing appearance
and the opportunity to speak with other women
facing cancer. Registration for this and all other
programs is mandatory.
kinds of techniques to help reduce their stress:
• Yoga
• Massage
• Support Groups
• Educational Programs
• Complimentary therapies
You can get more information about these and
other kinds of stress reduction by contacting the
organizations above or contacting social worker
Lisa McLaughlin. As to proper medical care, it is
essential to let someone in your health care team
know if you are unable to adhere to your
prescribed treatment regimen. Be well!
Page 2
FYI
Finding Support
When cancer occurs in the household,
everyone is affected. Whether you are a
patient, long-term survivor, caregiver or
emotional support person, there are ways
to get support for yourself. Check out the
ideas below.
Support groups – there are plenty of
cancer & caregiver support groups around.
The American Cancer Society has a listing
of the current groups running in South
Jersey. Contact them at (800) ACS-2345 or
on the web at www.cancer.org.
Support via telephone – CancerCare offers
both a toll-free number to reach an
oncology social worker (1-800-813-4673)
and telephone support groups for patients
and caregivers. In addition, they also offer
online support groups 24 hours a day. Go
to www.cancercare.org
Support for young adults with cancer –
some excellent new resources for those
under 40 dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
I’m Too Young For This offers information
specifically geared toward the young adult.
Check www.imtooyoungforthis.org for the
inside scoop.
Free Stuff!
The Cancer Survival Toolbox is a free audio
program giving survivors and caregivers
practical skill in dealing with cancer. Get yours
online at www.cancersurvivaltoolbox.org, or
call 1-800-866-5748.
The Lance Armstrong Foundation offers a free
survivorship notebook, a useful tool for keeping
track of appointments, test results, important
phone numbers and more. Get yours by calling
1-866-467-7205 (shipping charges apply) or
download the pages for free by going to
www.livestrong.org.
Need supplies for home? The Cancer Fund of
America has liquid nutritional products, adult
diapers and exam gloves available. Contact
them at www.cfoa.org or 1-800-578-5284.
Cancer Survivorship issues deal with the
aftermath of treatment. Find a wealth of
information at www.livestrong.org.
In our next issue…
• What is Cancer Advocacy?
• Patient/Caregiver Quiz: would
you be interested in attending a
support group here at CCHS?
FYI is designed and distributed by Lisa McLaughlin, MSW, LSW, social worker at
Comprehensive Cancer & Hematology Specialists. She welcomes any feedback
and/or suggestions for future issues. She can be reached at (856) 435-1777, ext.
150, or via email at [email protected].