Briefs
Could a Support Group
Help You?
Having cancer gives you a new
identity and a challenge. While you
are going through treatment, you may
feel a mix of emotions—this is normal.
Fear, denial, loss of self-esteem, and
anxiety are all common. Managing
these emotions is an important part
of treatment.
Joining a support group may help you get past negative feelings, ease anxiety, and improve your quality of life. Support groups can give a person with cancer a sense of empowerment. A group also can help you stick to better behaviors, such as healthier eating. It can even bolster the immune system. One study showed that women who had advanced breast cancer and belonged to a support group lived twice as long as those who did not.
In a support group, you can do the following:
- Express emotions honestly. In the group, you do not have to protect family members and friends from your true feelings.
- Reduce fear of treatments and pain through sharing knowledge and experience.
- Build self-esteem by reaching out to others who also help you.
- Learn successful techniques for managing family relationships and your relationship with your doctor.
Green, Leafy Vegetables
Protect Against Colon
Cancer
According to a recent study in the
American Journal of Epidemiology,
men who ate the most green, leafy
vegetables enjoyed a lower risk of
developing colorectal cancer. To get
the same benefit, don’t confine these
nutritional powerhouses to salads.
Good cooking greens include kale,
collard greens, mustard greens, Swiss
chard, and broccoli rabe. Try steaming
or microwaving, then sautéing,
before adding them to soups, stews,
or casseroles.
Stay Current with News
from The Cancer Center
We’re updating our Web site and
adding even more news briefs and
helpful articles for cancer patients,
families, and caregivers.
Visit www.cancercenterlm.org to find the latest news about cancer and advances in treatment; information about our staff; treatment options at The Cancer Center; and resources, such as local support groups, links to trusted community organizations, and a calendar of events.
From the home page, you can sign up for our e-newsletter. You’ll get all this information delivered right to your in-box.
