By Nancy Cullinan, LCSW, CDE, CPT, Oncology Social Worker at The Steeplechase Cancer Center at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset
This June, let’s celebrate life. June 1st marked the 27th annual National Cancer Survivors Day, a day filled with hope, inspiration and friendship to honor cancer survivors and those whose lives have been touched by cancer. Cancer Survivorship Month gives us a reason to unite with our loved ones and community to show that there is life after cancer.
With over 14 million survivors in the United States alone, National Cancer Survivorship Month presents a meaningful opportunity for cancer survivors to connect with other survivors who are going through or who have gone through similar situations, to honor each other’s lives, celebrate milestones, and recognize their loved ones and care providers who have supported them each step of the way. This month we should join hands, stand up to cancer, and prove that there is life after diagnosis.
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With cancer diagnosis and treatment, individuals often face a great deal of hardships and roadblocks they must overcome. People may experience physical, emotional, spiritual, social, psychosocial and financial challenges as a result, but these are challenges that no one should face alone. Instead, we should bring awareness to the issues of survivors and those affected by cancer, honor those facing hardships, and bring strength to those in need, to help better the quality of life for cancer survivors during treatment and beyond.
Throughout the month of June, hospitals, health care providers, support groups, organizations, and community members nationwide will be hosting a variety of events, including educational programs, lectures, parades, runs/walks, carnivals, health fairs and more. I encourage you to get involved in your community to celebrate the survivors, spread awareness of cancer, serve as an inspiration for those who have recently been diagnosed, and gather support for survivors.
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You can also celebrate this health observance by educating yourself on cancer and its risk factors, to reduce your risk of developing this disease.
Get screened. Early detection of cancer significantly increases a person’s chances of surviving and the cancer is typically easier to treat at the earliest stages. According to the American Cancer Society, cancer death rates have fallen by 20 percent from its peak approximately 20 years ago, and that drop can be attributed to improvements in early detection and treatment and raised public awareness of preventative lifestyle changes. Visit your local hospital or physician to get your annual screenings, and take advantage of free local screening events. Common screenings you should be getting include: breast cancer screenings, cervical cancer screenings (women), colorectal cancer screenings, endometrial (uterine) cancer screenings (women), prostate cancer screenings (men), lung cancer screenings and skin cancer screenings.
Adopt a healthy lifestyle. I urge you to be mindful of your lifestyle and implement small changes that will inevitably make a big impact. Making even one small change can make a difference in your daily life and overall health. First and foremost, quit smoking; it’s the most important thing you can do for cancer prevention. You should also create an exercise plan that works for you, because up to one-third of cancer-related deaths are due to obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. Aim to exercise 30 minutes at least three days of the week to keep your body fit and strong. Adapting a healthy lifestyle also means being conscious of your skin health. Be sure to use sunscreen each time you go outside, and limit direct exposure to sunlight during the sun’s most powerful hours, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Eat healthy. Take control of your diet and make conscious decisions when eating, because having a balanced diet has proven to reduce the risk of cancer and many other health risks and diseases. Making this change does not easily happen overnight, but you can begin by incorporating more fruits and leafy green vegetables into your meals to reap the benefits of their natural vitamins and minerals, and reducing the amount of red meat and processed meat, such as bacon, ham, sausage and hot dogs. It is also important to limit your alcohol intake.
For Cancer Survivorship Month, we’re going to show the world what life after cancer looks like. Whether you or a loved one has just been diagnosed, in treatment, or in remission, this is the perfect month to celebrate the survivors in your life, and help spread the important message that there is life after cancer, and it can be meaningful, fulfilling and joyful.
At Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, we will be hosting a variety of events throughout the month of June in honor of our cancer survivors. We hosted more than 250 people at our Day of Hope Cancer Survivor Celebration on June 3 with guest speaker Dr. Bernie Siegel, and local businesses have donated gifts for our cancer survivors which will be available in our Steeplechase Cancer Center throughout the month, including cookies, chocolates, snacks, donuts and flowers, and gift cards that will be raffled off, as well. We’ll also be providing live musical entertainment from musicians who are donating their time and talents. To learn more about the cancer center, visit http://bit.ly/1prAge9.
