October 2015 Vol 1 No 5

Camille Scheel chronicled her journey with breast cancer in a blog, and then turned her blog into a book.

In my book What Helped Get Me Through, I asked cancer survivors what would have helped them during their cancer journey but was too difficult to ask for.

As the US population ages, the number of patients diagnosed with and treated for cancer will increase. Cancer costs are also likely to increase, as new and more expensive treatments, such as targeted therapies that are specifically directed at the tumor, become the standards of care.

Cognitive changes during cancer treatment, also known as “chemo brain” or “chemo fog,” are common. In fact, some studies suggest that up to 75% of patients receiving chemotherapy may face these issues.

Unlike mammography, no routine test, such as a Pap smear, can yet detect ovarian cancer. Each year, approximately 22,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

When the body is healing, energy is directed toward repairing the cells that have been damaged by surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation; this often leads to an energy deficit described as fatigue and weariness.

Nothing prepares you for the emotions you experience when a loved one receives the diagnosis of a debilitating illness for which there is no cure.

You don’t need to be an artist to experience the healing power of the arts. Many cancer survivors and caregivers use art as an outlet to help them work through the challenges of cancer treatment.

Starting with a modest weight-loss goal can still provide health benefits, and will help keep you from getting discouraged.