Breast Cancer: For Cancer Patients, Surviving Is the New Normal
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2011
THE RECORD
Once whispered in social circles, cancer has become a word many are no longer afraid to speak out loud.
Today, survivors can even find online retailers selling t-shirts, hats, mugs and buttons with such inspirational messages as "Never give up!" and "Friends don't let friends fight cancer alone," as well as humorous quotes including "Does this shirt make me look bald?" Fundraisers often feature survivors talking about their illnesses.
Newly diagnosed cancer patients can take some comfort in knowing that many more treatment options are available to them than in the past, and that technology and the screening process has also improved. In addition, there are numerous support groups in New Jersey, the surrounding areas, and online that can help patients deal with everything including the diagnosis itself, anxiety and feelings of uncertainty. Some of these groups are even led by survivors themselves.
"Cancer was something we dealt with and tried to survive, and did not share," said Dr. Andre Goy, chairman and director for the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center.
According to the American Cancer Society, one of every four deaths in the U.S. can be attributed to cancer. However, statistics show the percentage of those surviving more than five years has gone up since the 1970s.
An initial diagnosis often kicks off a tornado of doctor appointments and testing. Emotional reactions can range from shock to sadness to tears to anger. The common thread is that "they want to find out what's happening to them," said Joan Monaghan, an advanced practice nurse and coordinator of Psycho Social Support at the John Theurer Cancer Center.
Monaghan said she's been in the room for support when a patient is first told he or she has cancer. She helps reassure them; holds their hand if needed, re-explains the process or just listens. Many times, she said patients say they've "never taken a pill in their life. Now I have to take all these pills."
"One of our doctor's says, 'You're not a victim. You have to be the survivor who fights against the cancer,'" Monaghan said.
Patients in remission who have a reoccurrence of the disease can face a more difficult time emotionally, she said.
"One of my patients said to me, 'As long as I'm alive tomorrow, they might find a cure for my disease.' She survived about 20 years," Monaghan said.
Veronica Dalcero, radiation oncology social worker at The Daniel & Gloria Blumenthal Cancer Center inParamus, part of The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, said she deals with the emotional piece of the disease.
"Your life has changed. That's what we call the new normal," she said. "They've (Patients have) gone on a detour and we're here to help them back to their life. To get back to living - that's my biggest message."
The new therapies available offer less toxic options for patients. For example, targeted therapies, aimed at the diseased areas in the body, can have less of an impact on normal cells, Dr. Goy said. Roughly 100 different medications are currently available on the market for cancer treatment; with more than 1,000 new drugs undergoing testing, said Dr. Goy, also HUMC's chief of the Lymphoma Division. One of the most common, and distressing, side effects of cancer treatment is nausea, which can now be controlled "100 percent" with medication, Dr. Goy said.
Cancer surgeries have also improved thanks to minimally invasive techniques, said Dr. Robert Korst, director of Thoracic Surgery and medical director of The Daniel & Gloria Blumenthal Cancer Center. He said he can "get people out of the hospital in two days and they go back to work in 10 days." Twenty years ago, that person would be out of work for several months, he said.
The Paramus center, as well as the center at HUMC, both offer integrated healing services, such as massage therapy and yoga classes. This can help with the waiting time that often comes with treatments. Patients can take cooking and other classes at HUMC; knitting and Tai Chi are just some of the programs featured at the Blumenthal Center.
"There's nothing worse than staring at each other in the waiting room," Dr. Goy said. "I truly believe the outcome in the patient is better if they feel better by doing things."
Even the lobby décor at the John Theurer Cancer Center is designed to remind patients that "the center is a place of healing, a place that is alive," Dr. Goy said. Among other things, sculptured glass birds hang from the ceiling representing hope.
Hope can also come from support groups, where patients can share their stories and sometimes meet survivors. Joseph Cavalli, a prostate cancer survivor since 2000, understands this firsthand as co-chair of a prostate cancer support group held at HUMC and facilitator of a support group at Gilda's Club Northern New Jersey, also in Hackensack. The groups are run by Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network, a nonprofit organization started by prostate cancer survivors for patients, their friends, and families, etc.
"It helps when they talk to somebody who has been through it," said Cavalli, of Hasbrouck Heights.
CancerCare, a national, nonprofit organization with an office in Ridgewood, offers counseling and support groups for patients and their families, among other resources and services. Dalcero, the social worker at Blumenthal Cancer Center, said newly diagnosed patients need not shy away from help and support from friends and family.
"If somebody wants to help you, allow them," she said. "The giver is happy and the receiver gets something. People who seek support do so much better."
http://www.northjersey.com/news/130720933_Breast_Cancer__For_Cancer_Patients__Surviving_Is_the_New_Normal.html
HUMC
The lobby at the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center. The hanging Murano glass birds in the front lobby represents hope.
DR. ANDRE GOY
Newly diagnosed cancer patients can take some comfort in knowing that many more treatment options are available to them than in the past, and that technology and the screening process has also improved. In addition, there are numerous support groups in New Jersey, the surrounding areas, and online that can help patients deal with everything including the diagnosis itself, anxiety and feelings of uncertainty. Some of these groups are even led by survivors themselves.
"Cancer was something we dealt with and tried to survive, and did not share," said Dr. Andre Goy, chairman and director for the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center.
According to the American Cancer Society, one of every four deaths in the U.S. can be attributed to cancer. However, statistics show the percentage of those surviving more than five years has gone up since the 1970s.
An initial diagnosis often kicks off a tornado of doctor appointments and testing. Emotional reactions can range from shock to sadness to tears to anger. The common thread is that "they want to find out what's happening to them," said Joan Monaghan, an advanced practice nurse and coordinator of Psycho Social Support at the John Theurer Cancer Center.
Monaghan said she's been in the room for support when a patient is first told he or she has cancer. She helps reassure them; holds their hand if needed, re-explains the process or just listens. Many times, she said patients say they've "never taken a pill in their life. Now I have to take all these pills."
"One of our doctor's says, 'You're not a victim. You have to be the survivor who fights against the cancer,'" Monaghan said.
Patients in remission who have a reoccurrence of the disease can face a more difficult time emotionally, she said.
"One of my patients said to me, 'As long as I'm alive tomorrow, they might find a cure for my disease.' She survived about 20 years," Monaghan said.
Veronica Dalcero, radiation oncology social worker at The Daniel & Gloria Blumenthal Cancer Center inParamus, part of The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, said she deals with the emotional piece of the disease.
"Your life has changed. That's what we call the new normal," she said. "They've (Patients have) gone on a detour and we're here to help them back to their life. To get back to living - that's my biggest message."
The new therapies available offer less toxic options for patients. For example, targeted therapies, aimed at the diseased areas in the body, can have less of an impact on normal cells, Dr. Goy said. Roughly 100 different medications are currently available on the market for cancer treatment; with more than 1,000 new drugs undergoing testing, said Dr. Goy, also HUMC's chief of the Lymphoma Division. One of the most common, and distressing, side effects of cancer treatment is nausea, which can now be controlled "100 percent" with medication, Dr. Goy said.
Cancer surgeries have also improved thanks to minimally invasive techniques, said Dr. Robert Korst, director of Thoracic Surgery and medical director of The Daniel & Gloria Blumenthal Cancer Center. He said he can "get people out of the hospital in two days and they go back to work in 10 days." Twenty years ago, that person would be out of work for several months, he said.
The Paramus center, as well as the center at HUMC, both offer integrated healing services, such as massage therapy and yoga classes. This can help with the waiting time that often comes with treatments. Patients can take cooking and other classes at HUMC; knitting and Tai Chi are just some of the programs featured at the Blumenthal Center.
"There's nothing worse than staring at each other in the waiting room," Dr. Goy said. "I truly believe the outcome in the patient is better if they feel better by doing things."
Even the lobby décor at the John Theurer Cancer Center is designed to remind patients that "the center is a place of healing, a place that is alive," Dr. Goy said. Among other things, sculptured glass birds hang from the ceiling representing hope.
Hope can also come from support groups, where patients can share their stories and sometimes meet survivors. Joseph Cavalli, a prostate cancer survivor since 2000, understands this firsthand as co-chair of a prostate cancer support group held at HUMC and facilitator of a support group at Gilda's Club Northern New Jersey, also in Hackensack. The groups are run by Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network, a nonprofit organization started by prostate cancer survivors for patients, their friends, and families, etc.
"It helps when they talk to somebody who has been through it," said Cavalli, of Hasbrouck Heights.
CancerCare, a national, nonprofit organization with an office in Ridgewood, offers counseling and support groups for patients and their families, among other resources and services. Dalcero, the social worker at Blumenthal Cancer Center, said newly diagnosed patients need not shy away from help and support from friends and family.
"If somebody wants to help you, allow them," she said. "The giver is happy and the receiver gets something. People who seek support do so much better."
http://www.northjersey.com/news/130720933_Breast_Cancer__For_Cancer_Patients__Surviving_Is_the_New_Normal.html
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