How can cancer patients be helped in coping with their disease?
Maintain honest, two-way communication with your loved ones, doctors and others after your cancer diagnosis. You may feel particularly isolated if people try to protect you from bad news or if you try to put up a strong front. If you and others express emotions honestly, you can all gain strength from each other.
How do you deal with cancer patients?
Tips for talking to someone with cancerDon't ignore them. Some people disappear when someone they know gets cancer. ... Think before you speak. ... Follow their lead. ... Keep it about your friend, not you. ... Just listen. ... Don't minimize their experience. ... Don't be intrusive. ... Don't preach to them.More items...•
How do you face cancer alone?
Facing Cancer AloneFacing Cancer Alone. ... Handling these things is hard, even when you have caregivers or family there to support you, and going through it by yourself is even more challenging. ... Call on your friends.Talk to a social worker.Make a transportation schedule.Find support groups.Prioritize your mental health.More items...•
How do mentally deal with cancer?
Here are 7 tips to maintain or improve emotional well-being for cancer patients and caregivers:Talk to someone who is not a family member. ... Continue with daily activities, but modify if necessary. ... Plan ahead. ... Find support that works for you. ... Balance in-person and online support. ... Tap your community. ... Reach out.
What can you do for Stage 4 cancer?
10 Tips for Supporting a Friend with CancerAsk before you visit. ... Set up a phone team. ... Offer to help with daily tasks. ... Listen. ... Take your cues from your friend. ... Remember that everyone's illness is different. ... Reconsider gifts of food. ... Give thoughtful gifts.More items...•
How long a cancer patient can live without treatment?
The pooled mean survival for patients without anticancer treatment in cohort studies was 11.94 months (95% CI: 10.07 to 13.8) and 5.03 months (95% CI: 4.17 to 5.89) in RCTs.
What should you not say to someone with cancer?
What not to say to someone who has cancer“Everything is going to be OK.” ... “I had a friend who died of cancer.” ... “I know exactly how you feel.” ... “You're lucky it's XYZ cancer instead of ABC cancer.” ... “You look great! ... “Don't compare your breast augmentation, reduction, or lift to their mastectomy.”More items...•
Is having cancer scary?
There's no doubt about it: Cancer is scary. But sometimes the fear of cancer is enough to cause someone significant distress. One doctor shares her advice on managing cancer-related anxiety.
What are the emotional stages of cancer?
The Five Stages of Dealing with a Cancer DiagnosisState 1: Denial. ... Stage 2: Anger. ... Stage 3: Bargaining. ... Stage 4: Sadness and depression. ... Stage 5: Acceptance.
Do cancer patients get angry?
Feelings of anger are common among cancer patients, and those feelings can crop up at any time. According to oncologists, anger is one of the first emotions that patients express upon being diagnosed, but it is also common for those who suffer relapses.
Can stress give you cancer?
No, being stressed doesn't directly increase the risk of cancer. The best quality studies have followed up many people for several years. They have found no evidence that those who are more stressed are more likely to get cancer. Some people wonder whether stress causes breast cancer.
How do you keep a cancer patient happy?
Bring in some positivity. Most of the patients feel like their life has already come to an end with the break of the illness. ... Be normal. ... Get well informed. ... Help plan finances. ... Plan for future. ... Indulge in mind-body relaxation techniques. ... Care for your own health.
How many patients does the colon cancer center treat?
The center, which treats 300 patients per month, is doing triage of a different sort. While other diagnostic and treatment options are offered, the staff primarily focus on breast cancer and lymphoma, which have relatively straightforward treatments. When they have more resources, they’ll add colon cancer to the roster.
Where is the SAMS oncology center?
Medical staff prepare medication at the SAMS Oncology Center in Idlib, Syria. The facility is filling a gap for patients that would otherwise have to travel long distances for cancer care, or forgo treatment altogether. (Photo courtesy of SAMS)
How many children visit Damascus Hospital every week?
Now about 200 children visit the Damascus hospital every week, with more than 70 percent from outside the capital, according to its head, Maher Haddad. The weight of demand has delayed treatment for dozens of sick children by 15-20 days, affecting their prospects, overall health and response to medication, he added.
What is Basma doing to help?
One private charity, Basma, is trying to help out by funding cancer drugs for poor families . The proportion of patients who need assistance has risen from about 30 percent to nearly 80 percent since the war began, executive manager Rima Salem said. Salem finds the delays in treatment worrying.
How long has the Syrian health system been in crisis?
Six years of conflict have brought the Syrian health service, once one of the best in the Middle East, close to collapse. Fewer than half of the country’s hospitals are fully functioning and numbers of doctors have dived.
What percentage of medicines did Syria import?
PROHIBITIVE EXPENSE. Before the conflict, Syria produced 90 percent of the medicines it needed but anti-cancer drugs were among those where it traditionally relied on imports. Elizabeth Hoff, the WHO representative in Syria, said medicine imports have been hit by significant cuts in the government’s health budget since the war began in 2011 ...
Why are cancer drugs falling short of demand?
However, a lack of cash is not the only reason why supplies of cancer drugs are falling far short of increasing demand. “The impact of economic sanctions imposed on Syria heavily affected the procurement of some specific medicine including anti-cancer medicines,” said Hoff.
What company buys cancer drugs in Syria?
Haddad also singled out the sanctions. Pharmex, the state-owned company that buys drugs for government-funded hospitals across Syria, was able to provide only 5-10 percent of the cancer medication that is required, he told Reuters. “Most of the cancer medicines are imported. Pharmex used to import the stock of medicines that public hospitals need.
Where are WHO medicines imported from?
The WHO brings essential medicines and medical supplies into Syria, procuring generic drugs from approved sources in Europe, North Africa and Asia. Branded U.S. products cannot be imported due to the sanctions situation, Hoff said.
What are the diagnostic tools available in Damascus?
Basic diagnostic tools are available in all clinics, including laboratory blood tests, biopsies, and basic imaging studies. Although magnetic resonance imaging is available in major cities, it is limited in besieged areas. Radiation therapy is only available in Damascus and Latakia, which restricts access to many patients who live under siege or are required to cross military checkpoints. Positron emission tomography scanners are only available in Damascus and require self-pay. Advanced services such as interventional radiology and genetic testing are not available. More-advanced options such as bone marrow transplantations and clinical trials are also not available. Patients who can afford the costs are referred to neighboring countries. However, most patients do not have the capability of traveling or paying for such expensive treatments, which leaves this population of patients with cancer without treatment opportunity.
How many radiation oncologists are needed in Damascus?
The Radiation Research Program at the National Cancer Institute recommends that each city must have at least two surgical oncologists, two radiation oncologists, and two hematologist oncologists. 1 As shown in Table 3, Damascus was the only city that met the National Cancer Institute recommendations, whereas all other cities had either zero or one of the specialized physicians listed.
What is the most common cancer in women?
Breast cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer death among women 13; it is also the most common malignancy among Syrians as reported by survey participants.
Why is follow up inadequate in Syria?
As observed in the survey results, patient follow-up is inadequate in Syria for two chief reasons: Volunteer physicians treat patients for limited amounts of time, and computer/chart systems have not been established. Unless patients personally maintain a meticulous and accurate medical history, no records are kept for blood test and biopsy results and drug treatments and dosages. WHO recommends collection of the following information whenever possible 30: demographic and socioeconomic data (eg, patient name [identification], sex, date of birth, place of birth), financial data related to the payment of fees for medical services and hospital accommodation, and clinical patient data.
Where are oncologists in Syria?
The survey results indicate that 20 oncologists work in the capital city of Damascus. In the neighboring besieged East Ghouta countryside, one oncology-certified physician is reported. In East Aleppo, where 500,000 people reside, no treating oncologists are available, and thus, all patients with cancer often are transferred to Turkey for treatment. In contrast, four certified oncologists are available in government-controlled West Aleppo, but access to them from besieged East Aleppo is limited and dangerous. An oncology pharmacist is available only in the cancer clinic in Homs, although all participants denied having one available. In Idlib, the cancer clinic reportedly has only two general physicians and more than 10 midwives at any given time. In the entire city, there are no certified oncologists and only one student who at the time had 1 year of training in oncology. Furthermore, all participants noted that the cancer centers take care of both adults and children. Results based on city/countryside and population are summarized in Table 1; populations are as reported by survey participants in the area.
Is chemo available in Syria?
Of the three countrysides, only Idlib confirmed the availability of chemotherapy drugs. All participants stated that no government-run hospitals existed in the areas that were safe to travel to and no non-government organization (NGO)–based clinics to assist with patients with cancer; consequently, these patients are referred to Turkish cancer centers. All participants noted that patients often leave Syria for cancer treatment in neighboring countries but return because of the high treatment costs.
Does Damascus have a follow up system?
Only Damascus offered preventive screening measures such as mammograms, colonoscopies, and Papanicolaou smears. Only two clinics reported an established follow-up system after treatment complet ion. Only Homs and East Ghouta used computerized documentation systems; all others reported having to use written documentation.
What does the IAEA do?
The IAEA supports countries in the use of nuclear and radiation medicine to fight a range of non communicable diseases, including cancer. The Agency supports countries in resource mobilization and the procurement of equipment, as well as through training, education, research, guidance documents and in carrying out quality assessments and missions.
What is the role of radiotherapy in cancer?
One area where radiotherapy plays an important role is in curing cervical cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women, and for which WHO launched a global elimination strategy last year.
What is the new guidance on radiotherapy?
New guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the procurement of radiotherapy equipment could improve access to this life-saving cancer treatment option that is still lacking in many parts of the world. The new technical guidance aims to ensure that the selection ...
What is the new WHO/IAEA publication?
New WHO/IAEA publication provides guidance on radiotherapy equipment to fight cancer. New guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the procurement of radiotherapy equipment could improve access to this life-saving cancer treatment option that is still lacking in many parts of the world.
What is the WHO focus?
WHO’s cancer focus is on childhood, cervical and breast cancers.
Why was the ionization technology developed?
It was developed as part of the ongoing collaboration between WHO and the IAEA to foster safety and quality in the medical use of radiation technology.
Is radiotherapy a part of cancer?
Radiotherapy is also an integral part of breast and childhood cancer control, two other major WHO global cancer initiatives. The changes that will be facilitated by the new guidance will also benefit millions of cancer patients globally, including women seeking treatment for breast cancer, now the most commonly-diagnosed form of cancer globally.