It means your cancer treatments are working and the signs and symptoms of cancer are decreasing. Different factors play into how likely you are to be in remission and to eventually be cancer-free. How soon your cancer is detected is critical. Different types of cancers have different odds for survival.
Certain types of breast and prostate cancers, for example, have survival rates of 90 percent. But certain lung cancers have very low survival rates. Researchers have used a five-year timeframe for decades to calculate survival rates for people with cancer.
Reaching the remission stage, and eventually being cancer-free, depends on a lot of factors. However, there are things you can do in your daily life to help increase your odds. Olvera suggested you focus on four things:. During and after treatment for cancer, you may find yourself in partial remission, complete remission, or eventually, cancer-free. As you navigate through your cancer journey, work closely with your oncology and survivorship teams to connect with their support. By Stephanie Thurrott , Contributing Writer.
Support in any form allows you to talk about your feelings and develop coping skills. Studies have shown that many people who take part in support groups have a better quality of life, including better sleep and appetite. A support group can be a powerful tool for both patients and families.
Talking with others who are in situations like yours can help ease loneliness. Others who have had the same experiences may also share ideas that might help you. Contact your American Cancer Society to find out about sources of support in your area. You can find support programs in many different formats, such as one-on-one counseling, group counseling, and support groups. You may enjoy a personal connection with a counselor who can give you one-on-one attention and encouragement.
Your cancer care team is the best way to get names of counselors in your area. They also have a lot of useful information online at www. Support groups. Some support groups are formal and focus on learning about cancer or dealing with feelings. Others are informal and social. Some groups are made up only of people with cancer or only caregivers, while some include spouses, family members, or friends.
Other groups focus on certain types of cancer or stages of disease. The length of time groups meet can range from a set number of weeks to an ongoing program. Some programs have closed membership and others are open to new, drop-in members. Online support groups may be another option. The Cancer Survivors Network, an online support community supported by your American Cancer Society, is just one example.
You can find it at csn. There are many other reputable communities on the Internet that you can join, too. Religion can be a source of strength for some people. Some find new faith during a cancer experience. Others find that cancer strengthens their existing faith or their faith provides newfound strength. If you are a religious person, a minister, rabbi, other leader of your faith, or a trained pastoral counselor can help you identify your spiritual needs and find spiritual support.
Some members of the clergy are specially trained to help people with cancer and their families. Spirituality is important to many people, even those who do not observe a traditional religion. Many people are comforted by recognizing that they are part of something greater than themselves, which can help them find meaning in life.
The practice of forgiveness or performing small acts of kindness helps some people. Others meditate, spend time in nature, or practice gratitude — these are just a few of the many ways that people attend to their spiritual needs. You may worry about how your illness and care will affect your family and loved ones. This is a very tough journey to travel alone, and everyone needs help and support from those close to them.
It can be hard to know how to start — who to talk to and what to say. Singles may need to find a friend or family member who can help in these ways. This is someone who wants to help and support you, but in order to do that they will need their own support and help. Finances are often a very real concern for people with cancer. Treatment costs a lot. Hopefully, you have been able to keep your health insurance.
Sometimes there are insurance options that people with cancer may not be aware of. You can also call us for help finding possible sources of financial assistance. Most people think of cancer as a disease that people get, have treated, and either are cured of or die from. When cancer is first found, the hope is for a cure.
And for some people that hope is possible. If the cancer has already spread, the hope may be that the cancer can be stopped or slowed down. Some people have cancer that can be controlled with treatment and they can live for a long time. The outlook also depends on cancer type.
A relative survival rate compares people with the same type and stage of cancer to people in the overall population. No matter what type of cancer you have, early detection of recurrence is very important. If found early, local recurrences may be curable. A distant recurrence is less likely to be cured, but early detection can help stop it from spreading further.
In some cases, your cancer may never come back. In others, it may recur. Cancer and cancer treatments can have a significant impact on mental health, from stress and anxiety to clinical depression. Here are tips on how to….
Being in remission can drastically change your perspective on life. Here's the story of Kelsey Crowe, author and social worker, and her experience. This writer was once told his cancer had nothing to do with his immune system. The medical view on immunotherapy has changed dramatically since then. Anxiety comes in many forms, ranging from manageable to very disruptive. Dating with cancer was easy, but dating after cancer was a different story.
This is my new perspective on relationships. Knowing when to stop chemotherapy can be just as difficult as going through treatment.
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