cancer support | U.S. Preventive Medicine, Inc. (USPM)

Did you know that there are more than 15.5 million cancer survivors in the United States and 32 million around the world?

National Cancer Survivors Day is observed annually on the first Sunday in June to celebrate cancer survivors. All around the nation, communities come together to host charity events, races, galas, and more to honor cancer survivors. Whether you are a cancer survivor or know someone who is winning their battle with the disease, this is a time to celebrate and honor their resilient journey. Here is some information to get you connected and help you learn more about cancer survivorship.

Challenges That Can Affect Cancer Survivors and Their Families

Economic burdens from medical expenses, lost wages, and reduced productivity
Denial of health and life insurance coverage
Difficulty finding jobs
Schedules may be focused around treatments and appointments
Family members may have to become caregivers to provide emotional support, transportation, care coordination, manage finances, and help with decision making

Life After Cancer

Maintain regular follow-up screenings
Don’t smoke. If you smoke, talk to your healthcare provider about quitting
Maintain a whole-foods, balanced diet to keep your weight healthy and decrease your risk of a cancer recurrence
Stay active. Do yoga, walk, garden, or join a gym. Physical activity will be the key to help you keep unwanted weight off, manager stress, and prevent a cancer recurrence
Keep your emotional health in check. If you need to, talk to a counselor, psychologist, or join a support group
Improve the cancer experience for others through advocacy or volunteer work

Support Groups

Support groups can help many people, including loved ones, cope with the emotional burdens of cancer and survivorship. There are different types of support groups, such as:

Peer-led or self-help groups run by group members
Professional-led groups run by a trained counselor, social worker, or psychologist to lead the conversation among the members
Informational support groups led by a professional facilitator to provide cancer-related information and education. These groups will often invite speakers, such as doctors, who can provide expert advice
Online support groups that meet through chat rooms, webinars, or discussion groups
Telephone support groups where everyone dials into a phone line, like a conference call, and participants can share their experiences

The following links can help connect you with organizations that provide emotional, practical, and financial support services for people with cancer and their families:

https://supportorgs.cancer.gov/home.aspx?lang=1
https://www.cancer.org/treatment/support-programs-and-services.html