Cancer

Some practical and helpful tips to help you or a loved one cope with a cancer diagnosis....more

Sometimes, cancer cannot be cured. When that is the case, patients and families are faced with complex emotions and a variety of end of life issues. ...more

Palliative care focuses on improving a patient's quality of life by improving the symptoms of his or her illness, such as pain, shortness of breath, and difficulty sleeping. It's used with a variety of ailments, including cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, kidney failure, or congestive heart failure. ...more

The biggest problem with palliative care is that many people are referred for care too late. By starting this type of care early, and by using the right type of pain management, nearly all pain problems can be relieved or reduced....more

Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is a type of pain management that allows you to decide when you will get a dose of pain medicine. You don't need to wait for a nurse, and you can get smaller doses of pain medicine more often. ...more

Many people with cancer benefit from taking a break from their condition from time to time. This “vacation” from cancer can come in many forms. ...more

When your body is unable to remove waste in the normal way, you may need an ostomy. This is an opening that is created surgically somewhere on the body to help the body get rid of stool or urine. ...more

A cancer diagnosis often brings up extreme emotions. Those feelings are often eased as you learn more about your cancer and treatment, and get support from those around you. ...more

Grieving is a normal response to a loss. The loss can include the loss of your normal daily routine, the impact of the diagnosis on other family members, and the financial impact of the diagnosis. ...more

Talking with your family about cancer and the emotions that arise is not a one-time discussion, but rather a series of talks that will continue through your treatment. ...more

If someone you love has cancer, you probably feel sad, angry, and confused. It's OK to feel this way. Cancer is a serious disease. Your loved one is sick. They will need to see the healthcare provider a lot. It can help to learn more about cancer. ...more

A living will tells others how you want to be treated when it comes to life-sustaining measures. ...more

If you are unhappy with the home health or hospice care you are receiving, you should notify the provider's administrator, your state health department, and the Better Business Bureau. ...more

Treatment for cancer can cause many changes that may affect your sexuality. It can also change the physical or emotional closeness you share with another person. Different treatments can cause different physical and psychological changes that can affect how you feel, look, and function. These changes may be temporary, or they may last a long time. ...more

Many women have changes in their sex life after cancer treatment. You may have both physical and emotional side effects. ...more

Whether the changes you have are short-term or long lasting, you can find ways to feel good about yourself and to be intimate with your partner. Remember to be patient and give yourself time. ...more

What can you do to help the loved one in your life with prostate cancer? Keep the lines of communication open. ...more

Erectile dysfunction is the inability for the penis to get or stay erect for sex. It's often a side effect of the treatments for prostate cancer. Read on to learn more. ...more

Erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence means you can’t get an erection. It can also mean you aren't happy with the size or hardness of your erections, or how long your erections last. Read on to learn more about this condition. ...more

You can find many ways to cope with stress. The goal of each approach, whether it is coping skills or relaxation methods, is to bring you from a place of tension to a place of serenity—mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. ...more

A growing number of scientific studies indicate that optimistic people tend to live longer and have better physical and mental health than pessimistic people. ...more

Palliative care focuses on improving a patient's quality of life by improving the symptoms of his or her illness, such as pain, shortness of breath, and difficulty sleeping. It's used with a variety of ailments, including cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, kidney failure, or congestive heart failure. ...more

People with cancer often tap into their spiritual side when battling the illness. This might include prayer, attending religious services, reading passages from a holy book, or simply expressing gratitude and love. ...more

The two major laws that exist to ensure that anyone with a disability or anyone dealing with a health crisis is not discriminated against are the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act. ...more

You have rights under federal and state laws to help you buy and keep coverage. But these rights are not comprehensive, and they may vary depending on where you live, what kind of coverage you have or seek, and other factors. ...more

You can use this letter as a model for an efficient, effective appeal letter. You may also need to enlist the help of a legal professional. Make sure your healthcare provider knows any issues you have with insurance. Your provider may be able to help you. ...more

Whether you are newly diagnosed with cancer or facing choices of new or additional treatment advice, it's important to understand the coverage provided by your manage care plan. Read on to learn what to look for, what questions to ask, and more. ...more

Although most employers treat cancer survivors fairly and legally, some employers—either through outdated personnel policies or an uninformed or misguided supervisor—erect unnecessary and sometimes illegal barriers to survivors' job opportunities. ...more

Home healthcare services may be paid for directly by the patient, through insurance coverage, or through other public or private sources. Most hospice care programs are provided to the patient regardless of the patient's ability to pay. Read on to learn more. ...more

After cancer treatment ends, you may find that you still feel tired and unable to do the things you want and need to do. Cancer-related fatigue is a very common problem for cancer survivors. It may last for months or even years after cancer treatment ends. ...more

Lymphedema is swelling in part of the body that may occur after cancer surgery or radiation. It's an ongoing (chronic) condition that has no cure. But you can do things to help reduce your risk for lymphedema. ...more

Pain is a common side effect of cancer and cancer treatment. But sometimes people have pain even after cancer is gone and treatment is over. This can cause problems with daily life and make it harder to function or enjoy things. ...more

Cancer treatment often causes mouth problems or affects your oral health. It can cause problems, such as sores, pain, infection, saliva changes, and dry mouth. ...more

Peripheral neuropathy is a common problem caused by cancer treatment. Peripheral neuropathy can cause pain, numbness, tingling, and other problems around the body. ...more

Cancer recurrence is when the cancer you were treated for comes back. This may happen any time after your treatment has finished. ...more

Having cancer once does not mean you won't have cancer again in the future. Anyone who has had cancer has a risk for developing a new kind of cancer someday. This is known as a second cancer. ...more

Many men have changes in their sex life after cancer treatment. You may have both physical and emotional side effects. ...more

A caregiver provides assistance in meeting the daily needs of another person....more

Home safety is important when you're caring for an ill, aging, or disabled person. Use this helpful checklist as a guide. ...more

More than 22 million Americans are involved in some form of helping elderly family members or friends with their daily routines. If you're part of this group, whether you call yourself a caregiver, or simply a good daughter or son, you know that caring for an aging parent or friend has its rewards and its trials. ...more

If you’re interested in joining an online support group, read on to learn more about finding one that's right for you. ...more

Sometimes, cancer cannot be cured. When that is the case, patients and families are faced with complex emotions and a variety of end of life issues. ...more

Palliative care can be provided in the hospital, at home, or in a setting specializing in such care. It may be long-term over several years, or short-term, lasting days or weeks. Palliative care may include chemotherapy or radiation for pain control. ...more

Hospice care usually involves relieving symptoms and providing psychological and social support for the person and their family. The goal of hospice care is to provide the terminally ill patient peace, comfort, and dignity. ...more

Hospice is made up of a team of caregivers who specialize in end-of-life care. This team often includes healthcare providers, nurses, social workers, counselors, home health aides, and trained volunteers. Here are some details to help with end-of-life care. ...more

Finding appropriate home health and hospice care providers needs some research. Here's what you need to consider when evaluating a provider. ...more

Many families want their loved ones to die at home in their natural and most comfortable setting. Others don't feel they can emotionally handle end-of-life-care and death at home. Read on for a look at some of the important decisions to be made. ...more

Grieving is a normal response to a loss. The loss can include the loss of your normal daily routine, the impact of the diagnosis on other family members, and the financial impact of the diagnosis. ...more

Grief moves in and out of stages from disbelief and denial, to anger and guilt, to finding a source of comfort, to eventually adjusting to the loss. ...more

Learning about grief and how it affects your family can help you get through the difficult times together. It may even help your family grow stronger. ...more

It can be hard to know just what to do or how to help when someone you care about is grieving. Here are some helpful ideas. ...more

Even though you know death is a part of life, losing a loved one is one of the most difficult events you can experience. Understanding grief and learning how to cope can help you heal and move forward with your life as you honor the person you miss. ...more