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    Sheryl M. Ness, R.N.

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  • Living with cancer blog

  • Jan. 4, 2013

    Reflections on 2012 trends from cancer survivors

    By Sheryl M. Ness, R.N.

9 comments posted

Living With Cancer

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As the New Year begins, it seems fitting to take a look at a few of the most popular blog discussions from 2012.

Your perspectives on survivorship are what I hope to bring forward for discussion every week in the coming year.

Here are a few highlights from 2012:

  • Diet and exercise matter — Many of you commented on the various discussions about healthy eating and fitting in daily exercise. The research continues to be strong showing the positive effects of both eating healthy and being active on cancer survivor outcomes.
  • Cancer screening recommendations are changing — We talked about the recommended changes for the PSA test for prostate cancer screening and new ways to screen for colon cancer. The science behind screening is seeking more effective ways to screen and detect cancers. The coming year will bring even more changes that we will be sure to discuss.
  • Good communication is vital — The discussions about health literacy and communicating with your care team were active. More and more, cancer survivors are seeking out information and resources in a proactive manner. Remember, you're the one who needs to understand and navigate the best solutions for your own care. Don't be afraid to ask questions, clarify understanding and be comfortable with your decisions.
  • Surviving cancer is stressful to the body and the mind — We are continually learning about how the stress of cancer affects the entire person. Our discussion on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) showed that many of you are dealing with anxiety and stress as a result of your cancer diagnosis. Additionally, fear of recurrence continues to be a major concern long after treatment is over.
  • Cancer treatments are changing — New ways of treating cancer such as oral chemotherapy, vaccines and targeted therapy are upon us. Look for even more discussion on these topics in the coming year.

Our goal for the Living with Cancer newsletter and blog is to provide the best knowledge, resources and support to live well as a survivor. Feel free to comment with ideas and suggestions for blog topics for 2013.

Follow me on Twitter at @SherylNess1. Join the discussion at #livingwithcancer.

9 comments posted

blog index
  • January 31, 2013 12:02 p.m.

    I'm a student at the University of Chicago and I'm conducting research on homeopathic treatments for alopecia from chemotherapy. I would greatly appreciate 5 minutes of your time to answer a short survey on your experience. As the sister of a cancer survivor, I understand how terrible this disease is and am only looking to gather data, not sell or promote anything http://chicagobooth.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_0vzGFYQ1QyUkcQJ

    - Lisa

  • January 16, 2013 6:33 p.m.

    Went thru Breast Cancer with removal of lymphs and right breast. Through all the chemo and radiation, my worst experience was and is with chemo brain. I stay in touch with the local cancer centers and oncologist but even they are reticent about "chemo brain". My PCP has put me on aricept (dementia). Now they tell me I can't go off it without an even lower drop in cognitive/memory issues. HELP!!!!!

    - Rita

  • January 13, 2013 5:20 p.m.

    You now see more articles about CA in situ and the over treatment of this type of cancer. One cannot compare this type of cancer to invasive cancer with possible involvement of the lymph nodes. I underwent 5 months of chemo and have chemo brain and peripheral neuropathy. Since some people don't understand the various stages and degrees of breast cancer, they should identify some of these cancers that do not require treatment differently in all fairness to the cancer patients who have been treated.

    - Irene

  • January 11, 2013 1:39 a.m.

    i was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the end of 2011. i was put through a TURP surgery in february 2012. i did not have any chemo or radio therapy but my surgeon put me on flutamide 250 mg three times a day. i sleep a lot and work hard to eat right. i am hyperactive by nature so i am engaged in my garden, my study writing serious books, i cook my food since i am a widower.it is now one since i had the trans urethra resection of the prostate surgery (by scoping). my urologist stopped my flutamide yesterday and ask me to do serum testorone test.after three months i am to do a psa test and another serum testorone test.i am seventy in good health, armed with psychological, spiritual and emotional weapons.i advise cancer survivors never to brood or go into fear and self pity.just be disciplined in eating and living.

    - NIYI

  • January 10, 2013 10:44 p.m.

    One of the mysteries about any disease is the role of destiny.Some people take all the relevant precautions and yet they die untimely deaths.Others survive.

    - sanjit

  • January 10, 2013 11:57 a.m.

    Laurie, Had 2B breast CA, full course of treatment in 2010. Ended up with a big case of chemo brain as well. I did cognitive therapy with a group called Brain Fitness in Safety Harbor FL. Worked wonders. Go see a neurologist that works with traumatic brain injury and see if they will recommend a course of therapy for you as well. My only lingering side effect is fatigue. I walk my dogs, work full time, walk them again then fall into a coma on the couch by 8pm. I am at the YMCA 3-4 days a week with either yoga or Body Pump so the issue isn't exercise. Blood work looks solid. Eat healthy. Never been overweight. Don't drink or smoke. Any suggestions from anyone would be welcome.

    - Lizzie

  • January 8, 2013 7:54 p.m.

    Explanation to Laurie, I have seen that cancer is a psycho-somatic disease and differ from person to person. It is ONE BIG underlying reason that cause it. By being honest with ourselves and DO something about that underlying cause, that will be the start of the healing of the cancer. We are looking for complicated solutions when the answer is right under our nose. I have only been affected by tiredness-fatigue, I can concentrate on to heal from the cancer, I do not have to struggle with hard side-effects from treatments. I have my hair, healthy skin, slim muscolous body, clear mind so I function to make and do intelligent decisions. The cancer go through our 7 elimination channels-step by step. I am not done yet, but one of the elimination-channels 'The Lymphatic System' the big cleaner of the body, is working perfect, since none of my lymph-nodes has been removed. I gave myself 50/50 chance, and so far it works. Peace and quiet is important to have around, sleep a lot, exercise and a very healthy diet. Katarina

    - Katarina

  • January 8, 2013 3:24 a.m.

    Confused. If you have had cancer since 2008 why have youhad no form of treatment? What type of cancer do you have? I was reading about chemo brain when I happened upon this. FYI chemo brain is very real. I had a 3.87 gpa and for the moment I have a hard time thinking straigght and expressing myself clearly and properly. They say it will clear up and I seriously hope so. It is not like my patients who have brain trauma, it is very different. I would like to tell other patients that I have not let this, well should I say "bump in the road" effect me emotionally though. This is just another thing that you may need to deal with in lifes journey. Some bumps seem harder and bigger than others. Always remember to look at the bright side! in my case I figure chemo is an excellent weight lose program. lol. I did not get nausia really but still lost alot. Look into PPI's (proton pump inhibitors) mine seemed to work for me very well just neeeded to double up on them. Also hey you get to try new hair do's (length color etc)There are a lot of things to drag you down in life. dont let this one be any different. Be better than it and smile for days to come. One survivor to the next=)

    - Laurie

  • January 5, 2013 3:44 p.m.

    Happy New Year, I have had cancer ince 2008. I haven't had any traditionally treatments at all,no radiatio, surgery, chemo, hormone-treatments, medications, nothing. My treatments are: a lot of sleep-10-12 hours per night, exercise 6 days per week, vegan-diet with fish. I have no pain anywhere but I am fatigue. i do not dismiss traditional medicine, not at all. In my case I was in circumstances at the time, so I had to choose another route. I follow the disease with interest and I can see that cancer have different "stages" just like any other disease.

    - Katarina

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