A Vietnam veteran, an oncology nurse, a four-time cancer survivor, and one of the founding members of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS), Susie Leigh is not just a cancer survivor; she is a pioneer in the cancer survivorship movement.
This article focuses on the emotional benefits of physical activity, particularly regarding depression – a common late effect of cancer survivorship. From the study: “Results showed statistically significant improvement in self-reported depression 1 month — and as long as 6 to 12 months — after completion of an aerobic physical activity intervention compared with usual care or no intervention.”
Unfortunately, many Hodgkin’s survivors have been diagnosed with breast cancer as a result of their earlier treatment. Arm symptoms, including pain, swelling, and limited movement, can be a nagging issue for these survivors, adding to what may be a long list of post-cancer ailments.
Your life after cancer diagnosis and treatment will be marked by moments of hope, resilience, and strength. However, there may also be times when anxiety will cast a shadow over your journey. One of the most common sources of anxiety for cancer survivors is surveillance scans and tests. The fear of the unknown, the memories of the test results that led to your initial cancer diagnosis, and the anticipation of potential bad news can give rise to what is commonly referred to as “scanxiety.”
As long-term Hodgkin’s survivors, we often face years of dealing with one challenge after another. It can take every ounce of strength we have to overcome each one of them. But what about our caregivers? What is it like for them to watch us struggle or suffer, knowing that they can’t take away the pain and fear that we have to endure? How do they manage their feelings of helplessness? How do they take care of themselves while taking care of us?
Patients, their families and medical teams can all agree that there are inherent risks when undergoing any type of heart valve surgery. That said, treatment options and approaches may change when a patient is considered “high-risk” due to complex cardiac conditions, health problems, advanced age and/or heart valve reoperations. To learn more about the therapeutic options and medical advances designed for patients considered “high-risk”, we sat down with two expert heart surgeons from the Cleveland Clinic.
This is a great piece on a subject that many of us know all too well – “medical gaslighting.” As the author states, it is “a term used to describe instances in which health care providers ignore or dismiss symptoms and discount patient experiences based on their own implicit bias or stereotypes.” Whether due to a lack of education on a certain subject, such as the late effects of cancer treatment, or an unwillingness to fully hear and understand a survivor’s symptoms,
For Hodgkin’s survivors who are facing open-heart surgery, concerns about how their radiated chests will heal are real and warranted. We know that mediastinal radiation, particularly older forms of radiation, can make healing difficult. However, there is another way to close the sternum that offers a faster recovery time and minimal pain. The technique is called Rigid Sternal Fixation.
This article dispels many myths that we have heard over the years. The author presents fact-based and anecdotal evidence that what we eat matters!
Even light drinking was associated with an increase in cancer deaths among older adults in Britain, researchers reported on Monday in a large study. But the risk was accentuated primarily in those who had existing health problems or who lived in low-income areas. Contrary to what we’ve been told in the past, light or occasional drinking not only increases the chance of cancer in older adults, but it also does not protect the heart.