Family Cancer Retreat in New Mexico

Are you are person living with cancer in New Mexico?

Do you and your family need some time together to learn about managing the challenges of treatment and survivorship?

The Cancer Services of New Mexico offers a three-day escape from the day-to-day challenges of living with cancer this September when the whole family can take part in the Family Cancer Retreat.

The entire weekend is free, but is open only to New Mexico residents.  Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on August 15th, 2010
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: cancer support, caregivers, family

Summer Issue of Momentum Now Available Online

The summer 2010 issue of C3′s printed newsletter Momentum is now available online.

Some headlines from this issue:

• Palliative Care: Not Just for End of Life
• Listening to the Little Voice
• Patient to Patient Advice for Caregivers
• Health Care Reform & Cancer: Your Implementation Guide

You’ll also read testimonials from advocates who attended the C3 Call-on Congress in March and learn about the young, innovative researcher who is looking into new treatments for late stage colorectal cancer, thanks to a grant from C3.

To receive Momentum free at home, sign up at the C3 Action Center.

Posted by Carlea Bauman on June 9th, 2010
Posted in: C3 News, Policy & Advocacy News, Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: Call-on Congress, caregivers, Health Care Reform, Momentum, palliative care

Colorectal Cancer News in Brief: May 15

Despite more resources in large cities, patients were more often diagnosed with cancer at a late stage in cities in Illinois compared to rural areas. Phone calls and personalized diet and exercise plans helped long-term cancer survivors lose weight and gain strength, and scientists have found changes in the blood of family caregivers that promote inflammation and may lead to illness.

In other headlines, both patients and doctors liked virtual, computer videoconferencing visits, and the FDA reports that shortages of fentanyl patches have been resolved. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on May 15th, 2009
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: caregivers, disparities, FDA, fentanyl, survivorship

Cancer Health Care Providers Face Compassion Fatigue

Working every day with cancer patients, many of whom will not get better, can leave health care staff exhausted and demoralized.

The term compassion fatigue began to be used in the 1990′s to describe physical and emotional affects sometimes experienced by health care professionals caring for patients facing  limited possibilities of recovery.   It goes beyond empathy or feeling bad  for their patients and leads to setting up walls of distance from patients as a means of self-protection.

Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine and Regenstrief Institute reviewed almost sixty studies of compassion fatigue, finding that it often takes a toll not only on the health care workers who experience it but in the places where they work.

Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on April 9th, 2009
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: caregivers, compassion fatigue

Who Takes Care of the Caregivers?

We talk so much about cancer patients and their needs and treatment options, but we easily forget to make sure the caregivers are looked after.

In busy practices we use the caregiver to make sure all appointment are kept, to ensure compliance with therapies, to watch and evaluate patients, and identify red flags about when to call or get concerned. Continue reading…

Posted by Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD on February 23rd, 2009
Posted in: From the Desk of Dr. Lenz | 3 Comments »
Tags: caregivers, Living with Colorectal Cancer