The American Cancer Society estimates that half of all men in the U.S. and one third of women will develop some form of cancer in their lifetime. Even a few short decades ago, the mere mention of the word cancer was spoken of only in hushed tones. Thanks to tremendous medical advances, more than half of all people with cancer are alive five years after their initial diagnosis.
Cancer is a catch-all term for a large number of diseases characterized by the development of abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably and can infiltrate and destroy normal body tissue. Cancer does not discriminate when it comes to age, gender, race or socioeconomic status.
The key to cancer survival is early detection. Your best bet is to speak to your doctor about cancer screenings, and to get them regularly. The tests you’ll need will depend not only upon your family history, but your age and gender.
What Causes Cancer?
Just as there are many types of cancer — from Hodgkin’s disease to leukemia and bladder cancer — there are also many causes. Some are within your control, most are not.
Certain lifestyle choices are known to contribute to cancer. Smoking, being overweight, not using sun screen, and certain unsafe sexual behaviors can lead to the mutations that cause cancer. While you may not smoke, you may work in an environment in which others do, and therefore are subjected to second-hand smoke, a known contributor to cancer.
Genetics plays a part in the causes of some kinds of cancer. Inherited gene mutations are known to increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer, such as breast cancer, colon cancer, and ovarian cancer.
Diagnosis
Quite often, a cancer diagnosis comes with little warning. You may feel anxious, overwhelmed and afraid. You may be left to wonder how you will cope in the days and weeks to come. You may experience depression and cry frequently, sleep restlessly or not at all. Will you be able to work or care for your family when you are undergoing treatment?
Seeking Help
A cancer diagnosis can be a life-altering crisis, even if you are ultimately declared cancer-free after treatment. Asking for help, whether it’s in the form of having your family pitch in more with household tasks, or seeking the services of a mental health professional, is a wise decision.
How Social Workers Help
A cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence. With sophisticated medical advances, a cancer diagnosis may mean living with a chronic illness and dealing with late effects of treatment. It may also mean coping with anger, grief, depression and a range of other bewildering feelings.
A social worker can help to assess your situation, whether you are the cancer survivor, the caregiver, or even a long-distance relative of the survivor. Linking you with a support group where you can vent your feelings and learn from the experiences of others, coordinating with your insurance company to help you sort out and pay for the treatments for which you are qualified, and possibly even arranging for in-home care, are among the services a social worker can provide.
He or she can also offer counseling or psychotherapy based upon your individual needs. Likewise, a social worker can point you in the direction of a survivor’s group during or after your treatment, and can help you find other needed resources.
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