Survival rates for many types of cancer are at all-time highs. Which means more people than ever are living with cancer. Support groups can help patients thrive rather than just survive.For more, visit https://prostaid.org/
A celebrated poem tells us that "no man is an island." And that's especially true for those with cancer. Although the disease certainly does its best to prove the statement wrong.
Cancer can be isolating. The disease causes pain and fatigue. And frequently, so do the treatments. Your need to conserve energy and avoid illness can limit social gatherings.
Even when you have the energy to meet friends, it isn't the same. You struggle with feelings of anxiety, depression, and hopelessness they can't relate to. Can't understand.
Support groups can make a huge difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families, according to the cancer experts at PROSTAID Calgary. And with survival rates rising, those groups are important for longer and longer stretches of time. Learn more about why a support group may be worth your limited time and energy.
Death rates for several types of cancer have been decreasing for decades. Breast cancer rates have dropped 44 percent since a peak in 1989. Prostate cancer deaths have plateaued after an earlier 42 percent drop. And lung cancer rates have dropped by 4.5 percent annually between 2018 and 2022.
While there are some exceptions, mainly in gastrointestinal cancers, the numbers are headed in the right direction. Declining smoking rates have led to reductions in lung cancer and cancers of the lips and throat. Screenings have advanced in technology and public awareness, catching many cancer cases before they advance. And treatments are getting better and better.
Extended survival rates means cancer patients are living longer. But this means individuals with cancer and their loved ones are living longer, with cancer. And some research shows that joining a support group can improve your quality of life, and maybe even your chances for survival, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Support groups help for many reasons. Being around others in similar situations, especially those who are thriving in spite of their cancer, can give you hope and reduce feelings of loneliness. It gives you opportunities to discuss and work through feelings with people who understand. It creates a forum for sharing tips for dealing with practical problems. And it can help you cope better with treatment side effects.
You already have a lot on your plate. Tracking down a group doesn't need to be time-consuming. You can ask your health care team, a hospital social worker, or even other cancer patients if they have a group to recommend. Looking up advocacy groups for your individual cancer type is another good place to start.
In Calgary, PROSTAID serves men with prostate cancer and their families. The group offers mutual support, public awareness and education initiatives, and advocacy for provincial policy matters related to the disease.
You are invited to reach out to PROSTAID if you live in the Alberta area of Canada and are affected by prostate cancer. The 900-strong group is ready to welcome you.
Visit the link in the description for more! Prostaid Calgary City: Calgary Address: 1600 90 Avenue Southwest Website: https://prostaid.org/