http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/feeds/cancer-treatment-survivorship?key=cancer-treatment-survivorship Healthline Health Blogger Steve Wilkins - Cancer <br> Treatment & Survivorship en-us Copyright (c) 2013 Healthline, All rights reserved. en-us Copyright (c) 2013 Healthline, All rights reserved. http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/valentines-day-and-support Although many people believe Valentine's Day has become too commercial or only commercial. I have tried to make it another day to think about friends and family that I love and who support me. And for individuals with cancer I am sure this may be ... http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/valentines-day-and-support Steve Wilkins, BA, MPH http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/introduction I have been looking for the opportunity to share my thoughts and experiences regarding cancer for sometime now. Looks like I finally have an audience! I am grateful to the good people at Healthline for this opportunity.So what do I know about ca... http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/introduction Steve Wilkins, BA, MPH http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/what-do-you-say-someone-who-has-cancer I have worked with individuals with cancer and their families and friends for several decades and had many family and friends who have been diagnosed with cancer. When I learned yesterday of another very dear family friend has been diagnosed with ... http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/what-do-you-say-someone-who-has-cancer Steve Wilkins, BA, MPH http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/simple-pain-strategies Pain management is still a relatively new field in health care. However, great strides have been made in assisting patients in managing pain. Below are some tips for working with your health care professional which will help you get pain relief:1.... http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/simple-pain-strategies Steve Wilkins, BA, MPH http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/want-increase-your-odds-remaining-cancer-free-following Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American men. According to the American Cancer Society, there will be about 219,000 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States in 2007. The most common treatment for early stage pr... http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/want-increase-your-odds-remaining-cancer-free-following Steve Wilkins, BA, MPH http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/surviving-holidays With Thanksgiving approaching this week it is important to talk about the holidays. Society teaches us and we often feel we must be happy and joyous at all holiday times, but especially between Thanksgiving and New Years. This can be a difficult e... http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/surviving-holidays Steve Wilkins, BA, MPH http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/cancer-and-spirituality Now that December has come and many people are preparing for Christmas and happy holidays with family and friends I find myself reflecting about the meaning of Christmas. But, I also find myself thinking about family and friends who currently have... http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/cancer-and-spirituality Steve Wilkins, BA, MPH http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/welcome-survivorship-blog Hello, my name is Cyndy. I have been a nurse for almost 3 decades. I love being a nurse. In my years as a nurse I have worked with individuals with cancer and their caregivers/family/friends in various settings (hospitals, clinics, doctors offices... http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/welcome-survivorship-blog Steve Wilkins, BA, MPH http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/screening-guidelines-colorectal-cancer The American Cancer Society (ACS) puts out guidelines for all types of cancers so that they may be detected early and treated early. These guidelines are based on average risk men and women. However, if you have a family history of colorectal canc... http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/screening-guidelines-colorectal-cancer Steve Wilkins, BA, MPH http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/how-understanding-cancer-patients-internet-design-prefe Valerie R. Vestal, MSN, FNP, RN read an article in the Oncology Nursing Forum that was recently written by authors C. Chernecky,D. Macklin, &amp; J. Waller. The authors believe that understanding the computer experience of individuals with cancer ... http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/how-understanding-cancer-patients-internet-design-prefe Steve Wilkins, BA, MPH http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/ignore-conventional-wisdom-about-aggressive-prostate-ca One of the most important lessons my wife and I have learned during her bout with lung cancer is to never trust anything that sounds like "conventional wisdom."I’ll never forget it when a local thoracic surgeon quoted us the survival statistics fo... http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/ignore-conventional-wisdom-about-aggressive-prostate-ca Steve Wilkins, BA, MPH http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/talking-about-quality-life-survivors-fertility Today group of cancer survivors (young and old) joined me for a discussion about quality of life issues. They had so many wonderful suggestions on how to make the experience at a cancer center better and provided praise for things that are already... http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/talking-about-quality-life-survivors-fertility Steve Wilkins, BA, MPH http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/health-care-providers-or-professionals Before we delve too much into the problem of lack of effective communication skills of the health care provider (or professional) with the cancer patient and family member. It is helpful to be sure we are talking about the same terms.Overall I lik... http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/health-care-providers-or-professionals Steve Wilkins, BA, MPH http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/surgery-colorectal-cancer Surgery is one of the main treatments of colorectal cancer. Usually the tumor on the colon or rectum is removed as well as any lymph nodes. Sometimes pieces of the colon have to be removed and then sewn back together with a colostomy (or opening i... http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/surgery-colorectal-cancer Steve Wilkins, BA, MPH http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/optimism-part-vi-act Despite the fact that some people say you cannot "learn" optimism or a more positive attitude, there is research to show that you can. This relatively easy way to improve your attitude may help during your cancer journey.It is called:How To Act Up... http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/optimism-part-vi-act Steve Wilkins, BA, MPH http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/what-should-cancer-survivor-know-about-nutrition I am constantly amazed by the number of healthcare professionals who care for individuals with cancer who do not discuss basics about nutrition during the cancer journey. There are different issues during various time periods in the cancer journey... http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/what-should-cancer-survivor-know-about-nutrition Steve Wilkins, BA, MPH http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/communication-between-health-care-providers-and-cancer- I recently received an email from "A grieving granddaughter in Mississippi" who was upset, disappointed and discouraged with the lack of effective communication between the health care providers and her family over her grandmother's diagnosis, tre... http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/communication-between-health-care-providers-and-cancer- Steve Wilkins, BA, MPH http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/what-are-best-methods-prevent-cancer Cancer can be caused by many factors including genetics, environment and lifestyle. We cannot guarantee that any particular individual will not get cancer. But, there are suggestions health care providers can make to help prevent cancer or to help... http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/what-are-best-methods-prevent-cancer Steve Wilkins, BA, MPH http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/how-start-support-group Sometimes individuals are interested in a support group but there is nothing offered in their area, yet there are other individuals who are traveling along the same cancer journey. Do not be afraid to start a group, but be realistic. It takes awhi... http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/how-start-support-group Steve Wilkins, BA, MPH http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/should-cancer-survivors-receive-pneumonia-vaccine The most common type of bacteria that causes pneumonia is called streptococcus pneumoniae. The most common type pneumonia in the United States is pneumococcal pneumonia. This can be a very serious disease. Pneumococcal pneumonia may cause high fev... http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/should-cancer-survivors-receive-pneumonia-vaccine Steve Wilkins, BA, MPH http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/cancer-care-us-has-long-way-go-it-seems When I decided to write a blog about cancer, I thought it would be pretty easy. After all, my wife and I have been living with it for some three years come this Fall. And then there is the endless stream of great cancer research that anyone can ... http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/cancer-care-us-has-long-way-go-it-seems Steve Wilkins, BA, MPH http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/strength-do-you-have-it When I met with the long-term survivor's support group the other night I decided to ask 1 question I usually ask.The question was -did you feel that you had a positive attitude, optimism, self-determination, inner strength or faith that helped you... http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/strength-do-you-have-it Steve Wilkins, BA, MPH http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/how-can-all-family-members-obtain-important-information It is difficult if an individual with cancer has many family/friends that they want to have the latest information. Most doctors and nurses are willing and interested in trying to keep the individual with cancer and family up-to-date, but it is ha... http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/how-can-all-family-members-obtain-important-information Steve Wilkins, BA, MPH http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/other-new-advances-drug-therapies-cancer Individuals with cancer and family members often want to know that there are new drugs being developed and approved for all types of cancer. All drugs used for chemotherapy for individuals must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)... http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/other-new-advances-drug-therapies-cancer Steve Wilkins, BA, MPH http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/reply-george-and-merkle-cell-cancer George is the Administrator for the Merkel Cell Cancer group, an online support group within Google Groups. The group sent questions and contacted the main office at the Women's Health Center of Excellence at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical... http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/reply-george-and-merkle-cell-cancer Steve Wilkins, BA, MPH http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/thank-you-surprising-grand-rounds-dr-heberts-medical-gu Thank you to Dr. Hebert's Medical Gumbo for including my post, How Can All Family Members Obtain Important Information from the Doctor?, in last week’s Grand Rounds. Grand Rounds is a weekly hosted event where a medical blogger recommends posts fr... http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/thank-you-surprising-grand-rounds-dr-heberts-medical-gu Steve Wilkins, BA, MPH http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/any-newcomers-support-groups On my previous post I discussed some of the different types of support groups. But there are many other facts and questions to ask about support groups. One aspect that is essential is what do you do if you are a newcomer?Regardless of the type of... http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/any-newcomers-support-groups Steve Wilkins, BA, MPH http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/controversy-surrounding-john-and-elizabeth-edwards-and- Since John Edwards announced his candidacy and Mr. and Mrs. Edwards announced the recurrence of her cancer, there has been a lot of controversy. The public seems to have many issues around John Edwards' candidacy while his wife faces cancer. These... http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/controversy-surrounding-john-and-elizabeth-edwards-and- Steve Wilkins, BA, MPH http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/optimism-part-iii In dealing with cancer, we must be careful of not falling into what is called the "victim role"Some of our thoughts in the victim role may be: "It will never get better. Things will never change. My cancer illness will get worse. A disaster is goi... http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/optimism-part-iii Steve Wilkins, BA, MPH http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/language-cancer When a person hears the words “You Have Cancer,” it becomes clear soon after, that there is a whole lot of work to do. There are important conversations to have with your healthcare providers and treatment decisions that have to be made. But what ... http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/cancer-treatment-survivorship/language-cancer Steve Wilkins, BA, MPH