Your Mind and Survivorship

Cancer and treatments can take a serious toll on survivors' mental and emotional states, but these important issues can be addressed. According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, cancer survivors are twice as likely to experience depression than those without cancer. A survivor's self-image and body-image can be sharply affected by cancer and the side effects of treatment. Moreover, ASCO explains that some form of anxiety is almost impossible to avoid as a survivor. The important thing then is to recognize the symptoms of anxiety and depression, so you can seek help from your support network.

	Research shows survivors need more than just tradtional medical care.     Cancer and Depression: • A consistent low mood for greater than two continuous weeks as a result of the disease or treatment. • The significant stress of cancer along with changes in sleep patterns due to some treatments can contribute to depression. • Left untreated, depression can worsen the effects of cancer and treatment side effects.

	A survivor discusses his own depression.     Depression Symptoms:be aware of the common signs • sadness, hopelessness, irritability • fatigue, poor appetite, no pleasure • decreased concentration and memory   Treating Depression • Counseling (very effective) • Medication (only 2% of survivors require)  * According to ASCO

Cancer and Anxiety

Fears associated with cancer and treatment include fears of recurrence, of death, and of side effects. These very natural and unavoidable fears lead to a high likelihood that all survivors will experience some form of anxiety at some point.

• Acute Anxiety: lasts for just a short time
• Chronic Anxiety: continues and persists for a longer period of time

The University of Michigan has piloted music therapy as a treatment for anxiety among cancer survivors.      Anxiety Treatments Counseling and medication are both used to treat anxiety in survivors; however, counseling is the preferred treatment because it helps develop coping skills for anxiety, which will most likely be present for the long term. Since the underlying source of much of survivors' anxiety is justified and very real, much of anxiety counseling for survivors is focused on relaxation.

Relaxtion techniques include:

• Focused breathing • Muscle relaxation • Guided imagery • Yoga • Meditation • Hypnosis • Biofeedback • Reiki

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