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Monday, September 12, 2011

"Cancer Support Groups Offer Better Quality of Life" Guest Post By David Haas

Cancer Support Groups Offer Better Quality of Life

Cancer support groups have long been shown to provide a positive experience to those who are dealing with cancer or who have survived cancer. These groups have been shown to improve mood and mental, spiritual and emotional wellbeing while also improving some physical symptoms. In this modern world, more support groups are beginning to meet online as well as in person.

Different types of cancer produce differing side effects. Some produce a great deal of pain while others are fairly painless but may greatly affect how a person looks and how they perceive themselves. For example, breast cancer patients who have had a mastectomy may deal with issues of self-esteem, skin cancer patients may deal with a fear of the sun and the outdoors while mesothelioma patients may deal with more physical problems such as shortness of breath and chest congestion.

However, a cancer support group can improve the quality of life of any of these situations. They provide a safe place for everyone involved to discuss their feelings and to ask questions. Cancer patients and cancer survivors provide an intricate network of empathy and support while family members of cancer patients learn how to cope with the daily hardships, the financial concerns and the side effects of their loved one's treatments. Some support groups may be attended by various members of the medical team such as an occupational therapist or specialist such as a mesothelioma doctor.

The National Cancer Institute, which is a part of the National Institute of Health, states that some research studies have shown that support groups not only improve the quality of life but also can affect patient survival. It has certainly been documented that people with more positive moods typically experience more happiness and fewer physical conditions. When one connects with others who have dealt with similar medical experiences and have probably worked through some of the same emotional concerns, his experience becomes more hopeful and he gains the strength to face the disease and fight back.

A cancer support group can often be found through one's healthcare system. Patients and their families who live too far away to attend can often get a recommendation for an online group through their doctors. The result will be a better quality of life for the entire family.

By: David Haas

Friday, September 9, 2011

David Servan-Schreiber (April 21, 1961 – July 24, 2011)

It is with great regret that I report the death of Dr. David Servan-Schreiber this past July 24th.  I apologize for not posting for so long, but his death took me by surprise and reminded me of my own mortality.  It is unfortunate, but none-the-less true, that in order to have life, we must also have death.  Dr. David and his MDAnderson video/audio gave me hope when I was frightened and feeling quite alone.  He lived roughly 20 years past his first diagnosis of brain cancer.  He had been given only 8 months to live.  Thank you Dr. David;  I am doing my best to spread your message.
If you are interested in contributing to the

The Servan-Schreiber/Cohen Anticancer Fund at MD ANDERSON

click the link below:

http://www.mdanderson.org/how-you-can-help/make-a-donation/the-servan-schreiber/cohen-anticancer-fund.html

Video from the MD Anderson website

http://www3.mdanderson.org/streams/FullVideoPlayer.cfm?xml=publicEd%2Fconfig%2FAnti-Cancer_cfg

The above link goes to a video on the MD Anderson website that was my introduction to Anti-Cancer and David Servan-Schreiber.  It is roughly 1.5 hours long.  When I realized what it was about I got a small journal, started the video over and began taking notes, as detailed as I could get.  I stopped the video (really and mainly audio) and rewound to hear things again.  At the time, I didn't know the other links existed or I might have just listened....

Missing Link

http://www.anticancerbook.com/steps.html

For some reason the link did not publish in the previous post, so I am trying again.

Here is another page of the same website.  On this page, you will find a series of rules to follow.  Personally, I like to think of them as guidelines, as rules can become rather burdensome.

http://www.anticancerbook.com/rules.html

Questions

I just received an email from someone named David saying that he has a question about my blog.  David, if you are reading this, please email me the question so that I know it is not a phishing expedition.  This applies to other readers too.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Video Outline of the Principles Outlined in "Anti-Cancer"

I have attached a link that presents the fundamentals of David Servan-Schreiber's ideas about an anti-cancer life style.  Good luck to you and remember, it may better to integrate these "rules" or steps one or two at a time.  It does us absolutely no good if we become overwhelmed in trying to do it perfectly.  I know, because I tried.   You will have to make your own judgments about how to approach implementing his plan.  Whatever you do, have faith that your path will be be perfect for you.    

http://www.anticancerbook.com/steps.html