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Bozeman Daily Chronicle | October 23, 2022
2Awareness
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Finding Credible Information
magine walking away from the hospital as a person newly diagnosed with cancer. Your head is swimming, fear is tangible in your heart and you are in shock. As you walk away, you are given choices about treatment options from your trusted doctor. You feel like you are on the right course to conquer this and begin moving forward with your treatment plan. You stop at a coffee shop, run into a friend and share the news. Following your story, she tells you that the doctors are all wrong and you should just eat mounds of asparagus – this will surely cure your cancer. Now, you question everything, and don’t know what to do.
By: Becky Franks, CEO of Cancer Support Community
may be helpful in beating the disease or bring comfort by alleviating side effects. Some of this advice will be helpful and some will not. Some advice will be dangerous. The question is “how do you know?” What we do know is that cancer is increasingly complex and finding solid information can be difficult.
physicians. There are no rules about what can be put on the internet, so it is important to know the difference between “Dr. Smith” and the Mayo Clinic website. Any person with a PhD can put “Dr.” in front of their name, but that does not make them a medical doctor or someone who specializes in oncology. Therefore, there Many people turn to the are many doctors who do internet for information. To not specialize in cancer and begin with, do not Google will not be a good source of “cancer” because you will receive information in this arena. an array of information – some of it credible and some quite Secondly, pay attention to the dangerous. Anybody can make date of information provided. a website, and not all people Dates of information help are qualified nor have your best to judge its timeliness and interest in mind. The following accuracy. Health information maneuvers may be helpful when changes very rapidly, and so do A cancer diagnosis (or any attempting to access trustworthy treatment plans. Be cautious diagnosis for that matter) can websites and authors. of anything printed more than catapult people into a journey of 5-10 years ago. trying to navigate information Begin by looking for in order to make sound health sources of credible health Look for accuracy in the data. decisions. During this time, information, such as Clinical or scientific evidence there are MANY people who government agencies, that supports a position should will come forward with advice universities, hospitals, be clearly stated. Testimonials about treatment options and we l l - k n ow n medical are NOT evidence! Watch for complimentary services that o r g a n i z a t i o n s and common catch phrases such
as the following: Scientific breakthrough! Secret ingredient! All natural! Ancient remedy! Miracle cure! Steer away from false claims on products or information. Beware of websites selling products that improve your health, especially any “cure-all” products. Medical advances have allowed doctors to improve the success rate of many treatments, but these words are not used by the medical world. They are more used by people looking to make money on you. Be leery of anyone who tells you that medical professionals “don’t want you to know” about their information or product. Doctors of all treatment types have the care of the patient as their first priority. It is important that you feel comfortable in talking freely with your health care team and it is vital that you share your entire care plan with your primary care physician. If you are taking supplements or participating in other complimentary treatments, this information is very critical. Continued on page 3
Breast Cancer and Young Adults
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By: Becky Franks, CEO of Cancer Support Community & Sara Nazoor, Cancer Support Community
obody ever thinks they will hear those words, “You have cancer”, yet 1 in 8 women and 1 in 1,000 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. A diagnosis will bring on fear, anger, shock, anxiety and devastation that will take your breath away. During the month of October, it seems like breast cancer awareness overwhelms our senses and also provides us a message of hope, a reminder of the need for screening, and remembrance of those diagnosed with this dreaded disease. Given the increase in the options for amazing new treatments, many people will survive this ailment, yet the treatment will leave both physical and emotional side effects in both the person and their families. Breast cancer touches younger women under the age of 50 at an alarming rate. In the greater Gallatin Valley, one fourth of breast cancers were diagnosed in women under the age of 50. Breast cancer affects young women and men differently. They encounter unique challenges compared to the older population, and this may significantly impact their quality and length of life. Some of the unique challenges and issues young men and women face: • There is a heightened sense of isolation since very few (if any) people in their friend group are sharing a diagnosis of cancer. Many young men and women are raising small children while
enduring treatment and subsequent side effects. education and hope. All services are offered free Parenting is hard enough without the challenges of charge. One of the support groups is ‘Bosom Buddies’, where many women meet twice each of cancer. month to talk, to cry, to laugh. They find hope • Young breast cancer survivors have a higher and promise in the future through their shared prevalence of psychosocial issues, including experience and build a community within anxiety and depression, that may be difficult to themselves. These women have become good friends, and a beacon of light for many who are express within their friend group. newly diagnosed with breast cancer. • There can be a heightened concern about Along with the person diagnosed with cancer body image following breast cancer-related is their immediate caregiver and family. For breast surgery and treatment. cancer, this frequently involves the adult caregiver as • Whether married or single, intimacy issues well as children. Children who support their parents may arise for those diagnosed with cancer, this is frequently feel powerless and helpless, and struggle to combined with the possibility of sexual dysfunction deal with their emotions. They are often confused about what they are allowed or expected to feel and some of brought on by breast cancer treatment. them would even find it difficult to communicate or mention the word. They are also afraid of the reaction that other people would have when they express their 1 in 8 women and 1 in 1,000 men feelings and how to deal with it. will be diagnosed with breast
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cancer during their lifetime.
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Children and adult caregivers are the “forgotten” population as they sit quietly in the background trying to do everything possible for their loved one • Financial stability can be negatively impacted with cancer. It is exhausting, frequently thankless, due to workplace issues, lack of sufficient health and goes on for months if not years. Many times, the insurance and the cost of cancer care can alter family and children suffer in silence, trying to hold on to their energy and livelihood. If you know of a family how the family functions. dealing with cancer, it can be helpful to There is no reason to be alone or feel ashamed connect with them and lend a helping of a cancer diagnosis. There are over 2.5 million hand to relieve the stress of daily breast cancer survivors in the U.S alone. In caregiving. No one needs to face Bozeman, we are blessed with Cancer Support cancer alone, and as a community, Community – a place for cancer support, we are stronger together.
Success. Together. Never giving up hope.
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10 Ways to Practice Self-Care After a Cancer Diagnosis y By: The American Cancer Society 1. Surf the Web Responsibly You may have the desire to fall into a spiral, Googling everything you can about your diagnosis. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation on the internet, and it can be draining trying to process all the information you’re finding. Take regular breaks from the internet as needed, and ask your doctor if there are any online information resources or support groups they recommend.
STAY ON TOP OF YOUR BREAST HEALTH
2. Meditation & Mind-Body Classes Many people with cancer have found mind-body classes like yoga and/ or mediation to be extremely helpful in dealing with the anxiety and stress that comes with the illness, Franks said, with these classes being some of CSC’s most popular. Learning how to identify what you’re feeling and how you’re feeling it is the first step to dealing with it, and it can lead to more positive outcomes and experiences. 3. An At-Home Spa Day While going to a spa for some self-care might not be possible right now, there’s plenty you can do to treat yourself right at home. Try taking a bath with bubbles or salt, give yourself a massage or ask a partner or someone you live with to give you one, invest in a foam roller or some fancy lotion. If you can handle it, eat a favorite food or drink a favorite beverage. There are plenty of how-to videos for self or partner massage, and you can even make your own bath salts or lotions. 4. Find Support Reach out to friends and family for support, and communicate the best ways they can help. No one should have to deal with a cancer diagnosis alone, and there are also plenty of online support groups through CSC and other organizations. It can also be highly beneficial to see a therapist or other type of mental healthcare professional. 5. Spend Time Outside Breathing fresh air and experiencing a change of surroundings can make a world of a difference for your mental and physical health, whether you simply step out into your backyard, go to a park, or are able to go on a walk. Touch, listen to and look at everything around you — be as present as possible. 6. Start a Journal Journaling can be a great way to identify your feelings and work through them. Some days, try writing a poem, or a list of what you’re grateful for, or draw the things you’re afraid of. You can look back ar your journal later and remember what you went through and how you overcame it. 7. Start Crafting Crafting has been shown to relieve stress and improve mental health. Having some thing to do and accomplishing the small task of completing a craft project can be deeply satisfying. Whether you choose to knit, sew, embroider or bedazzle, crafting is an art and tool for self expression. 8. Eat Nourishing Foods Though eating and keeping food down can be difficult at certain stages of the cancer treatment stages, cooking and experimenting with different recipes can be extremely therapeutic. If tea is all you can handle, sample different types of it to see what you can handle. If you are able to eat, cook a favorite meal or order out from a favorite restaurant. 9. Binge A TV Show While staying present and grounded is important, it’s also OK to let yourself escape reality for a little bit with a favorite TV show or movie. Which shows have you been dying to watch? Which movies always make you happy? Curl up on the couch and tune into whatever you want; you deserve a break. 10. Prioritize Sleep Sleep is medicine. Let yourself sleep and rest as much as you need to; your body and your mind will both benefit immensely. If you struggle sleeping at night, try doing some sleep meditations or journaling before bed, do aromatherapy or do some light stretching. Don’t feel pressured to stay up later than you want to, and let yourself sleep in if you need it.
Finding Credible Information From Page 1 Bottom line is: complete your own research based on information provided to you in a factual manner. Look at websites provided by your oncology team or find credible websites on the Cancer Support Community website. With cancer, patients experience a loss of control. However, they do have control over the information they read, the doctors they choose, how much they exercise, and the foods they eat. During a time when control is reduced, rely on the methods of control you
do have. Seek medical advice by consulting physicians specializing in your type of cancer, seek nutritional information from those specializing in cancer nutrition, follow research-based information from those websites, journals, and books that are recommended by medical professionals. This will help provide you a sense of empowerment over your disease and survivorship. If you would like us to send you a list of credible websites, please contact Cancer Support Community at 582-1600 or visit www.cancersupportmontana.org
Bozeman Health is proud to provide comprehensive breast care at Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center. From your annual breast exam to 3D mammography and whole breast ultrasound at Advanced Medical Imaging to breast surgery and cancer treatment, our care teams are here to provide personalized care for all your breast care needs.
Contact Advanced Medical Imaging at 406-414-5200 today to schedule your breast imaging appointment. For more information about our breast care program, contact our breast care patient navigator at 406-556-5220.
YOUR LOCAL BREAST CARE CENTER Staying on top of your breast health isn’t just important during the month of October—it’s important year round. Our team of breast health specialists is here to care for you, from your annual breast exam to 3D mammography and whole breast ultrasound to breast surgery and treatment.
DR. SHAUNA KRONFUSS, OB/GYN Breast Surgical Oncology
DR. ROBIN HAPE Breast and General Surgery
DR. MARK HANCOCK Medical Oncology
DR. DAVID KOEPLIN Radiation Oncology
CINDY CARTER Breast Care Nurse Navigator Contact Advanced Medical Imaging at 406-414-5200 today to schedule your breast imaging appointment. For more information about our breast care program, contact our breast care patient navigator at 406-556-5220.