Stay Sunsmart This Summer
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Spring | Summer 2016 Stay SunSmart this Summer Page 4 Survivorship Adjusting to life after cancer Page 14 New Support Centre We’re expanding our care www.cancer-fund.org Message from the Founder Expanding our Community Contents Dear Friends, We are very excited to be expanding our services to more people who might otherwise be facing cancer alone. Planning for our new support centre, located in Kwai Chung, is well underway with services expected to commence from October in the lead up to the official launch next year. Thank you to our supporters who have donated so generously to this project, we will keep you updated as developments with this centre continue. I am sure you would have seen our Colorectal Campaign around Hong Kong. This campaign is more important than ever given 06 colorectal cancer is now, once again, the most common type of cancer in Hong Kong. Our aim is to raise local awareness and provide an important avenue for testing in men 03 ..................Message from the Founder Service Education and women over 50 years to ensure prevention and early detection. 06 ..................Over the Rainbow 10 .................Colorectal Cancer Prevention Feature 04 ..................Survivorship 12 ..................Caregivers 24 .................. Skin Cancer Awareness In this issue we recognise the vital role of caregivers who are often the tireless and 14 ..................New Support Centre unsung heroes for anyone touched by cancer. We know that the support of families 16 ..................End of life planning Events and Fundraising and friends in overcoming the challenges cancer brings has a significant impact on 18 .................Events and Fundraising a person’s wellbeing. This is why we place great import at Cancer Fund on caring for Wellness 20 ..................Soberman not just patients but their entire family and friends network. We look forward to 08 ................. Word Power continuing this support throughout 2016 and beyond. 23 ................. Online Wellness With love, Contact Details HEAD OFFICE CANCERLINK CENTRAL CANCERLINK CANCERLINK 2501 Kinwick Centre Unit 3, Ground Floor WONG TAI SIN TIN SHUI WAI 32 Hollywood Road The Center Unit 2-8, Wing C, G/F Shop 201C, 2/F Phase 2 Central, Hong Kong 99 Queen’s Road Central Lung Cheong House Fortune Kingswood TEL (852) 3667 6300 Central, Hong Kong Lower Wong Tai Sin (II) Estate 12-18 Tin Yan Road FAX (852) 3667 2100 TEL (852) 3667 3030 Kowloon, Hong Kong Tin Shui Wai, Sally Lo, MBE EMAIL [email protected] FAX (852) 3667 3100 TEL (852) 3656 0700 New Territories, Hong Kong EMAIL [email protected] FAX (852) 3656 0900 TEL (852) 3919 7070 Founder and Chief Executive EMAIL [email protected] FAX (852) 3919 7099 EMAIL [email protected] Become Our Fan CancerLink Hotline Hong Kong Cancer Fund | | | TEL (852) 3667 3000 (HK) TEL (852) 3656 0800 (KLN) TEL (852) 3919 7000 (NT) www.cancer-fund.org www.cancer-fund.org / / 3 Feature Feature International Collaboration for a Cure The European Organisation for Research and The Hong Kong Cancer Fund raises funds for local and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) aims to improve the international research projects through our annual standard of cancer treatment through clinical research walkathon Stride for a Cure. The EORTC is one of the and ultimately increase cancer survival rates. Working research organisations receiving this financial support. internationally and across multiple disciplines, the EORTC is making exciting developments through the Cancer Fund has been in collaboration with the testing of existing and new cancer drugs, surgery and/or EORTC for almost 30 years which has ensured Hong radiotherapy for both rare and common tumour types. Kong has made important contributions to clinical trials for cancers specifically prevalent in the East Asian The EORTC coordinates an international network region. We hope that with international innovations of over 300 hospitals and cancer centres from its and breakthroughs in cancer treatment and care, headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, from where all data people living with cancer in Hong Kong will benefit as is centrally collaborated and managed. This allows this knowledge is incorporated into local practice. Survivorship an integrated approach to drug development, drug evaluation and medical practices. For information on Save the date: Growing rates of cancer incidences along with better skin or hormonal conditions or even missing limbs in the EORTC please visit www.eortc.org. Sunday 18 December for our Stride for a Cure 2016 detection methods and improved treatment have the case of an amputation. resulted in more people than ever surviving cancer. Many people think that a cancer experience is over – Goals, aspirations and life plans Emotional changes OUR Research proJects once curative treatment is complete. In reality, cancer can be drastically altered after living with cancer. can affect a person’s physical, emotional and general Coming to terms with surviving a life threatening Cancer Fund supports a number of exciting quality of life long after treatment is over. This time in ordeal and also living with the fear of a relapse can be and important research studies. In addition to a cancer survivor’s life is referred to as survivorship. an emotional burden not just for the cancer survivor contributing to improved patient outcomes, but also their family and friends. Hong Kong’s future generation of doctors Whilst the experience is unique for each individual, and medical specialists are benefiting from there are commonalties in the challenges faced by Work / Education – Treatment or extended periods the latest findings as they complete their people during life after cancer. Specific issues have of illness can take a person living with cancer away university studies. emerged as being especially prevalent in survivorship. from their daily routine, often disrupting work or education. Catching up on education or a career Just some of the research projects receiving Late Effects – Side effects from either your cancer path can be challenging and stressful with long term our funding include: or cancer treatment may present at a later time. medical conditions, late effects and fatigue affecting This could be months or even years after the time of your concentration and stamina. Epstein-Barr Vaccine Research – your diagnosis and treatment. As cancer drugs and The Chinese University of Hong Kong treatment therapies rapidly evolve, doctors are still Relationships – During the course of a cancer A two-year study to develop a safe and monitoring and discovering their long term effects experience, your relationships may have changed with successful vaccine treatment for cancers and are continually researching ways to identify and family, friends and even your partner. Forging new linked to the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) such as Nasopharyngeal cancer and Hodgkin’s disease. decrease late effects. friendships or romantic relationships can be difficult Hereditary Gastrointestinal Cancer Screening Programme – The University of Hong Kong due to changes in self-esteem or body image with A free and on-going genetic diagnosis and cancer prevention screening programme with a strong research Physical changes – After cancer, your body may cancer now part of your identity. Fertility can also be component targeting individuals and families with a family history of colorectal cancer and or at risk of suffering need to learn how to function again or even adapt to affected due to cancer and its treatment which is an from hereditary cancer syndromes. different abilities. Often there can be physical signs of especially difficult prospect for young people to come cancer such as scarring from surgery, loss of sensation, to terms with. 4 / / www.cancer-fund.org www.cancer-fund.org / / 5 Service Service From OUR Mentor... “ The aim was to help inspire them to “When I received the opportunity further their education when they through my university to volunteer as are older, and to realise that there is a mentor for the Rainbow Club I had a future of possibilities beyond their no idea how much the experience current situation.” would help me appreciate my own health and family. “This is the first time I’ve been to this thoughts and experiences. One of city: I was so impressed by its cultural the ways we’ll be keeping in touch I had the chance to spend time heritage,” says Tsz Ying, 13. “And the is through a group that we opened with Rainbow Club members, visit to the University of Macau has in Whatsapp!” Mentors provide children with a parent living with certainly inspired me to become a the children in Rainbow Club with cancer, on a recent trip to Macau. university student one day.” someone to confide in and look up The more time I spent getting to to in their time of need. know these children, the more they The Lingnan University mentors opened up about how their parent’s Over the took on the role of a “big brother” “In the coming months, the cancer has affected all aspects of or “big sister” to the children. The mentors will meet with individual life. It has had a big impact at home, trip enabled them to strengthen children regularly and be active school and also the ability to be their relationships through games listeners and supporters for them open with their friends. Rainbow and conversations as well shared as they and their family members experiences visiting museums and navigate life with cancer,” says Felix. While other children are carefree Children of those the University of Macau. “The trip to Macau is just the start.” and can enjoy their friends, studies and sport, children in the Rainbow touched by cancer gain Tansy, 14, says the Club are left feeling stressed and trip was invaluable frightened by the idea of maybe a new perspective in building up losing a parent to cancer. connections with The Rainbow Club supports children the visit.