After someone has been through cancer treatment and recovery, a new mild symptom is no big deal, right? Well, maybe. In the next few posts, we'll explore the difficulty of reporting minor symptoms in long-term survivors (LTS) who want to be Healthy Survivors.
Read moreA Purple Card for Papa
In "The Healing Power of a Selfie" I shared an essay by Melanie Di Stante. She also wrote a children's book for families dealing with cancer.
Read moreThe Healing Power of a Selfie
The Hope of Something New
Do you want to feel hopeful? If so, check out the Something New (SN) site. of Bonnie Pitman.
Read moreSkin Cancer Screening and Misguided Headlines
Don't be misled by the splashy headlines about the US Preventive Services Task Force statement that there's not enough evidence to justify annual skin cancer screening by a clinician. Or by the response of the American Cancer Society (ACS), which does not recommend such screening and has in the past recommended against self-screening.
Read moreA Cancer in the Family
If you ever wondered if you might be at increased risk of cancer because a family member has or had cancer, this book is for you: A Cancer in the Family by Theodora Ross, MD, PhD.
Read moreColonoscopy Comparison
Colonoscopy naturally makes you think of all the inconvenience and yuck. Here’s the problem: If you compare the colonoscopy experience to your normal routine, you might be tempted to delay (or decline) the cancer screening test.
Read moreAccepting Uncertainty
"Doctor, will my illness return?" If the answer is "maybe," the uncertainty can cause suffering in patients who are doing well now. Since you can't live as fully as possible (the second criteria of Healthy Survivorship) if you are overly anxious, let's talk about how to accept the uncertainty, both intellectually and emotionally.
Read moreDisease and Uncertainty
n "When Do You Give Up on Treating a Child" Esther Levy concludes, "'There are only two states after such a diagnosis: disease and uncertainty." Both sound terrible.
Read moreHope and the Desire for Certainty
My blog posts on The Riddle of Hope hint at the complexity of hope. To address hope and the desire for certainty, let's explore further the story of Esther and Dan Levy, parents who gave up hope of their son's recovery (When Do You Give Up on Treating a Child).
Read moreA new home for my blog on Healthy Survivorship
Since January 2008, this blog has provided a place where patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, administrators, policymakers and anyone else interested in modern healthcare can come together to discuss how to help patients become Healthy Survivors--namely, survivors who get good care and live as fully as possible.
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