Some of the challenges facing cancer survivors include:

Staying healthy during and after treatment.  Utilize community resources such as WIN ABC, ACS and the Wellness Community; don't play "Wonder Woman" or "Super Man"; allow others to pitch in and help with your day-to-day responsibilities; communicate your feelings and needs to others -- people want to help but often don't know where to begin, so give them some suggestions of things they can do for you.

Staying healthy after the crisis and fear have diminished and: 1) your family, friends and co-workers are back to business as usual and 2) you are back into a regular routine.  A little dust on your coffee table is not the end of the world; take a bubble bath or pick up a good book instead of picking up the dust cloth!

Stress Management.  Keep your immune system well tuned; listen to relaxation tapes; learn how to meditate, exercise and eat right.

Dealing with fear of recurrence/dealing with a recurrence.  When in doubt, check it out!

Relationship issues; body image and sexuality issues.  Take the pressure off yourself and ease back into intimacy.

Think of it as "Re-entry":

_ Intimacy -- looking at scars for the first time/showing partner your scars for the first time/making love for the first time.

_ Social -- family routine; social routine; work place routine.  Redefine roles and responsibilities; work together to establish new routines and new norms.

_ Community -- transition from patient active to patient activist/advocate.  Learn how to be  heard and make a difference.  Get informed and stay informed!

Work with other individuals and organizations to affect public opinion and public policy on  key areas such as:

1. anti-tobacco legislation

2. environmental protection legislation

3. the need for more money for breast cancer research

Become and remain a partner with your health care team, your health care system and with your community.

TEAM up to make a difference.   (Together Everyone Achieves More!) 

Last Updated: 02/12/2003

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