CancerCenter Newsletter Archive
The CancerCenter Newsletter features a different cancer topic each month in an easy-to understand e-mail format. In addition to offering supportive tips, the newsletter provides links to cancer survivor stories, as well as links to learn more about CTCA hospitals, doctors and treatment options. To view newsletters from previous months, just click on any of the links below.
Cancer in the Family - Oct 2009
Cancer affects the whole family, not just the person dealing with the disease. All families are not alike and not all families will deal with cancer in the same way.
Coping with a Cancer Diagnosis - Sep 2009
Facing a cancer diagnosis is a challenge that no one should have to face alone. When you are told you have cancer, the diagnosis affects you and your family and friends. No one handles a cancer diagnosis in the same way.
Becoming a Cancer Advocate - Aug 2009
Whether it affects you or someone you love, cancer can turn your life upside down. You will likely experience a range of emotions, such as fear, uncertainty, and anger. One of the most difficult feelings may be a sense that you have lost control over the situation. At some point in the cancer journey, you may feel compelled to take action.
Cancer and Taste Changes - Jul 2009
Tasting and enjoying food is an important part of life. Yet, treatment for cancer, and cancer itself, can affect your sense of taste. Sense of taste involves the flavor, texture and smell of food...
Coping With Cancer and Depression - Jun 2009
When cancer enters your life, it is normal to grieve over the changes it brings. Sometimes dealing with the emotions of cancer, such as sadness, can be even more difficult than coping with the disease itself...
Traveling With Cancer - May 2009
At some point in your cancer journey, you will likely have a reason to travel. You may choose to travel for business, pleasure, treatment, or other reasons. It is important to make travel preparations that will promote your comfort and maintain your safety as much as possible...
Cancer and Shortness of Breath - Apr 2009
Shortness of breath can be very physically and emotionally troubling, particularly when you are battling cancer at the same time. Not only can shortness of breath be uncomfortable, it can also interfere with your usual activities...
Cancer and Sleep Disturbances - Mar 2009
A good night’s sleep is important for everyone. If you have cancer, quality sleep can be a challenge. Many people with cancer experience sleep disturbances, such as insomnia...
Cancer and Neutropenia - Feb 2009
For a person who is neutropenic, even a minor infection can quickly become serious. It helps to know ways to reduce your risk of getting an infection when your neutrophil count is low...
Coping With Advanced Cancer - Jan 2009
If you or a loved one has advanced cancer, many new questions and concerns arise. One of the biggest challenges during this time is uncertainty about what’s ahead. It helps to understand advanced cancer, the options available, and ways to cope...
Coping With Cancer During the Holidays - Dec 2008
The holiday season is typically a time of traditions, celebrations and renewed connections with relatives and friends. It can also be a demanding time of family obligations and stress. If you have a loved one with cancer, the holidays become even more complicated...
Talking With Children About Cancer - Nov 2008
Cancer doesn’t just impact one person, it impacts an entire family. If you have children, your natural instinct may be to protect them from the news of your diagnosis. Yet, cancer is not something you can easily hide, nor should you do so...
Cancer and Lymphedema - Oct 2008
Lymphedema is a condition in which excess lymphatic fluid collects in the interstitial tissue, causing swelling in specific areas of the body, usually in the arms or legs. Fortunately, with proper care and treatment, lymphedema may be prevented or controlled...
Coping With Radiation-Induced Skin Reactions - Sep 2008
If you notice changes to your skin during or after radiation therapy, you are not alone. One common side effect of radiation therapy is skin irritation, such as redness or sensitivity, in the treated area. These and other changes can be uncomfortable and upsetting...
Coping With Nausea During Chemotherapy August 2008 Newsletter - Aug 2008
You should be able to fight cancer without having to deal with unpleasant side effects, like nausea and/or vomiting, along the way. Finding ways to control CINV is important not only to your quality of life, but also to ensuring that your treatment regime goes uninterrupted...
Cancer and Peripheral Neuropathy - Jul 2008
Peripheral neuropathy can be an upsetting complication of cancer. It can make daily activities, such as walking, standing, picking up objects, and buttoning clothing difficult. Thus, it is important to find ways to manage peripheral neuropathy...
Cancer and Oral Health - Jun 2008
If you are fighting cancer and dealing with oral health issues, such as mouth sores, you are not alone. Oral mucositis is an oral health complication that can result from cancer itself or from its treatment...
Coping With Cancer Recurrence - May 2008
Just when you started to move on with your life, you find out that the cancer you thought was gone has come back. One of the biggest challenges during this time is uncertainty about what’s ahead...
Communicating With Your Cancer Team - Apr 2008
Talking about your cancer experience can be a challenge. You may feel hesitant to ask questions or to express your concerns with your health care team. Effective communication will help you feel confident in your treatment and get the support you need...
Cancer and Rehabilitation - Mar 2008
Cancer and cancer treatment can impact your physical abilities and normal daily routine. You may experience changes in your physical mobility, posture, balance, speech, and/or bodily and reproductive functions. Naturally, it can be difficult to adjust to these changes...
Coping With Chemobrain - Feb 2008
Chemotherapy-related cognitive dysfunction is known as “chemobrain” among cancer patients. Although cognitive side effects may be subtle, chemobrain can be upsetting, frustrating and scary for those who experience it...
Managing Cancer-Related Fatigue - Jan 2008
If you are fighting cancer, chances are you have experienced fatigue at some point. Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a very real and prevalent medical condition. At the same time, it is one of the least understood symptoms of cancer and its treatments...
Coping with Cancer During the Holidays - Dec 2007
If you are fighting cancer, the holidays become even more complicated. You may experience a mixture of complex and conflicting emotions, including excitement, sadness, worry, exhaustion, hope, and uncertainty. It can be difficult to balance these complex feelings with the holiday spirit...
Cancer and Diabetes - Nov 2007
If you are managing cancer and diabetes, you understand how difficult it can be. Regardless of which disease came first, know you are not the only one dealing with this situation. Cancer and diabetes often co-exist. And, while managing both diseases simultaneously can be difficult, it can be done...
The Role of After Care in Cancer - Oct 2007
It can take time to recover from cancer, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. And although life may not return to exactly the way it was before you were diagnosed, you can find ways to move forward. Instead of trying to “get back to normal,” try to find out what is normal for you now...
Cancer and Naturopathic Medicine - Sep 2007
A central goal of naturopathic medicine is to use the healing power of the body and nature to maintain and restore health. When used alongside conventional cancer treatments, naturopathic methods may help increase your body's natural healing power to fight disease...
The Role of Spirituality in Cancer - Aug 2007
It is not uncommon to experience spiritual distress during times of illness, such as cancer. Aside from the physical and emotional side of cancer, it is also important to address the spiritual dimension of the disease. Spirituality can be a source of peace, purpose, support and connectedness to others...
The Role of Mind-Body Medicine in Cancer - Jul 2007
Just as it is important to address the disease itself, your mind and spirit are also in need of care. Addressing your psychological well-being may help you feel more relaxed and in control, cope better during your treatment regime, and enjoy a better quality of life...
The Role of Patient Empowerment in Cancer - Jun 2007
Becoming an empowered cancer survivor means taking an active role in your cancer care. It means taking back the power that cancer has tried to take away. It means you become your own advocate for your health and your life...
The Role of Self-Image in Cancer - May 2007
A positive self-image is important, particularly during times of illness, when we tend to feel less good about ourselves. Cancer and cancer treatment may cause changes to your physical appearance, some temporary, some permanent, which can impact your self-esteem...
The Role of Pain Management in Cancer - Apr 2007
Pain is subjective. It affects each person differently, depending upon factors such as age, personality, perception, pain threshold and past experiences with pain. If you have cancer, it does not necessarily mean you will have pain. However, if you do experience pain, it should be acknowledged...
The Role of Integrative Medicine in Cancer - Mar 2007
Western medicine has become focused on "the body" as a singular object, thereby treating a disease or symptom in isolation. Your oncologist may be busy planning your conventional treatments, such as surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy...
The Role of the Caregiver in Cancer - Feb 2007
The daily struggle caregivers face in caring for a loved one with cancer can be overwhelming. Often, caregivers feel alone and unprepared for this new role. In fact, caregiving duties may include several different roles once: nurse, counselor, motivator, gatekeeper, medical advocate, etc...
The Role of Nutrition in Cancer - Jan 2007
Maintaining optimal nutrition during cancer treatment is essential to keep you strong, enhance the effectiveness of treatment and ensure that your treatment goes uninterrupted. Adequate nutrition and prevention of malnutrition is very important during this time...
