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Check out this interesting press release about results of a Lance Armstrong Foundation survey on cancer survivorship. Key points:
Good news, though:
- 49% of people living with cancer feel their non-medical cancer needs are currently unmet by the healthcare system.
- 70% said their oncologists did not offer any support in dealing with the non-medical aspects of cancer (such as depression, fear of recurrence, chronic pain, ongoing health challenges, infertility, sexual dysfunction, difficulty with relationships and financial or job insecurity). The other 30% said their oncologist was willing to talk about these issues, but did not have enough information or experience to really help them out in this area.
- 53% agree that the practical and emotional consequences of dealing with cancer are often harder than the medical issues.
- 33% said some or very few resources were available to meet their emotional needs directly connected to the cancer, compared to 28% for practical issues, like finance and work, 23% for physical issues and 14% for medical issues.
- 70% said they had to deal with depression as a result of their cancer, and among those who dealt with depression 88% said they’ve had some level of difficulty dealing with the issue. However, 78% of respondents said they did not seek out the services of a counselor, social worker, psychologist or psychiatrist as a result of having cancer.
- 57% agreed that cancer may leave their body, but it will always be a part of their life.
Good news, though:
- 59% say they expect to die from something completely different than cancer.
- 47% agreed that in some strange way dealing with their cancer diagnosis forced them to focus and they feel they’re leading a better life now.
- 56% agreed that they now take a more active role in speaking up about cancer and urging people to get screened.