- Being newly diagnosed with cancer may be an overwhelming experience that
may make absorbing information and decision-making difficult.
- Living with cancer may create many stresses, which may in turn
compromise immune system functioning.
- The burden and responsibility of loving and supporting someone with
cancer (or having someone die from cancer) can cause physical and
psychological challenges.
- Diminishing side effects of the cancer or its treatments becomes
paramount to living amidst this disease.
People who are encountering cancer—either having it or supporting someone
with cancer—must face the multitude of consequences that surround the illness,
and they very often express a need to balance traditional medical treatments
with the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual aspects of themselves in order
to better cope, to encourage healing, and to live well while living with cancer.
Through wellness programs, people learn important new skills, find personal
support, gain coping mechanisms, discover additional alternatives, and become
better educated about their specific illness. This helps them gain more control
of their lives, find strength, reduce feelings of isolation, and continue to
foster hope, regardless of the stage of their disease.
They become empowered, active participants in the management of their health
and well-being.
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