Cancer Support

There is no question that a diagnosis of cancer throws a person's life into crisis. Anxiety, sadness, anger, worry, and even depression are all 'normal' responses. The most important thing to remember when you face your diagnosis, deal with treatment and cope with results, is that you are not alone. Studies have shown that talking to others who understand or have been through your situation can not only make you feel less upset, fearful or anxious, but it can also help you focus on your health and treatment.

Cancer support groups are as varied as the people who participate in them. And choosing one that's right for you depends on several factors. Support groups bring together people with the same problem to share emotional and moral support, plus practical information.

Depending on your circumstances and personality, it may be beneficial to turn to others outside your immediate circle for help. You may feel less alone with your illness when talking with others who face (or have faced) similar challenges.

There also is some evidence that being involved in a support group may increase cancer survival rates. A 1989 study by researchers at Stanford University found that women with metastatic breast cancer who were involved in a support group lived about 18 months longer and were less depressed than those who didn't receive group support. Those findings have yet to be duplicated and a follow-up study is underway.

In general, support groups fall into two main categories: those led by professional facilitators (nurse, social worker, psychologist) and those led by group members, which are often called peer or self-help groups.

Some groups are designed to be more educational and structured. They may invite a physician to give a talk on a new treatment. Others emphasize emotional support and shared experience. Some deal only with a specific type of cancer (e.g., breast, prostate, colon) and others are more inclusive.

If you want to find out about 'face to face' or telephone counseling and support groups, ask at your medical care center, call a local cancer or community agency. Many churches and synagogues also run support and/or bereavement groups, and most counseling services by cancer agencies are free or on a sliding scale. Your insurance may also cover private counseling - check you policy. Finally, of course, you can call Cancer Care at 1-800-813-HOPE and speak with an oncology social worker.

A summary study published in the February 17 '00 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute unequivocally stated that high consumers of tomatoes and tomato products are at substantially decreased risk of numerous cancers, although probably not all cancers. The study analyzed 72 past studies that primarily examined the dietary differences between people with cancer and those without. Some of these studies also examined the blood levels of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant found principally in tomatoes. Often the primary difference was the consumption of tomatoes or tomato products, or high lycopene levels in the blood. In 35 of the studies, the connection was strong enough to be statistically significant, while in 15 the link was slight or inconclusive.

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