Cancer 101: A Cancer Education and Training Program for [Target Population] Date Location Presented by: Presenter 1 Presenter 2

Support for Patients and Caregivers Cancer 101 Learning Module 10

Learning Objectives At the completion of learning Module 10, you will be able to: Describe two emotions a cancer patient might experience after diagnosis Describe two ways to provide support to a patient facing cancer Describe two ways to make caregiving less stressful

Learning Objectives (cont’d) Give two examples of how cancer survivors can bring back balance to their lives Describe the role of Survivorship Plans in follow-up care after cancer treatment ends

Journey of a Cancer Survivor Step One: Diagnosis and Treatment Step Two: Post-treatment Step Three: Transition from specialty care to follow-up care Step Four: Long-term survivorship

Living Beyond Cancer More than 10 million people living with, through and beyond their cancer in the U.S. today. 1 in 3 people will be diagnosed in their lifetime. 3 in 4 families will care for a family member with cancer. Source: National Cancer Institute, Facing Forward: Life After Cancer Treatment

Who are cancer “survivors”? Persons who have been diagnosed with cancer and the people in their lives who are affected by the diagnosis, including family members, friends, and caregivers Source: National Action Plan for Cancer Survivorship Photo credit: Katherine J. Briant

Coping with the Cancer Diagnosis First few weeks are often the most emotional. Feelings may change day to day, hour to hour, or even minute to minute. Most people are able to move on and look forward to healing. Remember - more people are surviving and living long lives after diagnosis!

How to be Supportive In helping someone face a cancer diagnosis: Be the friend or loved one you’ve always been. Be there like you always have been. Don’t be afraid to share feelings. Offer to help with child care. Offer to give caregivers a break. Photo credit: Daniel Sone | Source: NCI

Getting Help, Receiving Support No one needs to face cancer alone! Emotional, spiritual, and practical support can be offered by family members, friends, other cancer patients, traditional healers, health providers, and community members. Cancer patients who receive support are often better able to cope with their illness. Those who give support benefit by being able to doing something meaningful.

Making caregiving less stressful Offer relief from daily responsibilities. Don’t try to do everything at once. Know your limits. Attend support groups. Photo credit: Rhoda Baer | Source: NCI

On the Path to Recovery Suggestions for bringing a sense of balance back into life: –Get back into a routine –Return to work –Choose activities that have a purpose –Spend time with family and friends Photo credit: Bill Branson | Source: NCI

Survivorship Care Plans Recommended for survivors Should include: –Summary of cancer diagnosis –Summary of cancer treatment –Follow-up plan for health care Photo credit: Daniel Sone | Source: NCI

Follow-up care All cancer survivors should have follow-up care. Follow-up care will depend on: –Type of cancer –Type of treatment –Overall health status Doctor will check for side effects from treatment and whether cancer returns

In Summary You now have an understanding of: –The psychological and social issues affecting cancer patients and their caregivers –The role Survivorship Care Plans play in follow-up care after treatment ends