1. Myra Bazell
LCSW OSW

2. The importance and beauty of managing stress…
Psychological stress describes
what people feel when they are under mental,
physical, or emotional pressure.
Stress can be caused both by daily
responsibilities and routine events,
as well as by more unusual events,
such as a trauma or illness in oneself
or a close family member.

3. for sarcoma cancer patients and their families
Why managing stress is especially important
for sarcoma cancer patients and their families
Chronic stress has been associated with the pathogenesis of many diseases, including cancer. Chronic stress results in the activation of specific signaling pathways in cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment, leading to tumor growth and progression.

4. We know from research that:
Stress reduction can improve physiological variables
Including; immune and endocrine function, blood vessel formation, DNA damage, cancer cell death and gene expression
Cancer treatment response
Disease progression and survival and quality of life. 
Moreno-Smith M; Lutgendorf SK, Sood AK.
Impact of stress on cancer metastasis. Future Oncol Dec; 6(12):1863–1881.

5. Some common types of stress that oncology patients and their families experience…
worrying about:
maintaining healthy appearance for family
the first infusion/surgery/etc.
upcoming appointments like a new scan
financial worries
transportation
navigating insurance companies/medical bills
working/loss of income during treatment
caregivers taking off work/less income
talking to their children, friends and family about cancer
recurrence
taking care of pets
house keeping
body image
intimacy x

6. When a life event causes stress sometimes its overwhelming

7. These changes help a person act with greater strength and speed
to escape a perceived threat.

8. Examples of stress management how to alleviate the worries…
mindfulness and mediation; exercise regularly ; talking to friends/support groups; eat well; get plenty of sleep; spend time outside; do things you enjoy; write in a journal; learn a new hobby; make time to socialize; talk to a mental health professional; set priorities/stay organized; humor; pray if religious;  
listen to favorite music;
be productive when you have the energy; help someone else such as befriending another patient who might be here at the conference!; massage; acupuncture; acknowledge need for support and ask friends/family for help (e.g. housework, cooking, shopping, transportation to appointments)
BREATH BREATH BREATH BREATH

10. some helpful links
stress-affects-cancer-risk.html
out/
relief/hlv
Management_UCM_001082_SubHomePage.jsp

11. THANK YOU