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Health Information
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Friday, July 04, 2008
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Find
more information about this topic from either the Web or the world's best
medical journals by using the search boxes at the top of this page.
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Introduction
Who Should Read
Facing Forward?
- If you are an
adult who is getting on with your life after a diagnosis for
cancer, this guide is for you. Whether your treatment took
place in childhood, 5 years ago, or last week, you may share
common concerns with other cancer survivors. The purpose of
this guide is to present a concise overview of some of the
most important survivor issues and practical ideas to help
you look ahead. If you are just finishing cancer treatment,
the information may prepare you for situations you have not
yet experienced. As you read about handling possible problems,
keep in mind that not everyone will have all these concerns.
If you are a long term cancer survivor, many of these issues
will not be new to you. But some of the ideas and resources
may add to your own experience.
- Facing Forward
should also be shared with your family or friends-the people
who care about you. In some cases, they can use this guide
to understand issues you may face so that they can support
you with real understanding of your needs. In other cases,
they will use the ideas and resources in this guide when acting
on your behalf-for example, in processing your bills and dealing
with your insurance company and your medical care providers.
Finally, it is important for your family to know about how
your concerns may affect them, and the options they have for
getting help.
How To Use the Materials
- The key to using
Facing Forward is to let it meet your needs. Each chapter
can stand alone, so if you are interested only in one issue
right now, that chapter is all you need to read. Or you may
want to read it from beginning to end to get the big picture.
- Facing Forward
is divided into four major chapters:
- Continuing To
Care for Your Health
- Taking Care of
Your Feelings
- Managing Insurance
Issues
- Earning a Living.
- Each chapter
follows the same format:
- What You
Can Expect relates the experiences of other cancer
survivors. The situations presented in these sections represent
a combination of documented experiences. Some of the accounts
were suggested by cancer survivors who reviewed the materials.
- Briefs
present quick facts or statistics about cancer issues.
- Tips
offers practical suggestions for handling problems.
- Options
offers alternative approaches for taking control of your situation.
- Resources
lists materials and organizations that can give you more detailed
information and help.
- Each section
can be used in four main ways:
- To bring up some
key issues that you may find interesting.
- To suggest topics
and questions you may want to discuss with professionals who
can help, such as your doctors and nurses, social workers,
and clergy.
- To serve as a
long-term resource you can use over time as problems arise.
- To help you organize
your cancer information.
- Take notes and
write down the answers to the questions you ask professionals.
Write in names and telephone numbers for your doctors, nurses,
and social works; local cancer support resources; and insurance
inquiries. Record helpful options you've found-you may want
to pass the information to friends or coworkers who become
cancer survivors. Keep track of your medical history: the
tests, treatments, and medications you have received and when
you received them.
How Facing Forward
Was Developed
- The National Cancer
Institute's Office of Cancer Communications and the National
Coalition for Cancer Survivorship worked together on the project.
Our first step was to ask cancer survivors which issues were
most important to them and what kinds of information they
needed to take charge of their lives. Next, we looked at the
growing body of research (and personal histories) on the issues
important to survivors. We pulled together some of the key
facts and recommendations from the experts and put the information
in a style we hoped would be easy to use. Finally, we tested
the materials with cancer survivors to be sure it was clear,
appropriate, and relevant to "real life" situations.
- We hope this guide
helps you find the options that work best for you, family
members, and friends as you begin facing forward after cancer.
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