Personalized support services for anyone in Silicon Valley whose life is touched by cancer Fall/Winter 2016 Social support positively impacts cancer patient outcomes The first research about the relationship between social workshop or support group and tell us how important it networks and health was conducted more than 100 is to them to have these opportunities to connect. years ago, but the medical community is continuing to Understanding from those who know discover benefits between having caring people in your Karen, for example, gets tremendous support from her life and physical health and healing. husband and two grown children, but considers Cancer Social support can come in a variety of forms. It can be CAREpoint her “safety net” on especially rough days formal, such as from a faith group, or informal, such as when she needs to drop by for encouragement and to conversations with friends. It can refer to emotional share experiences with others who can relate to what she support (feeling listened to and cared for), practical is going through. support (transportation, meal prep, housekeeping), or “I don’t understand how people go through cancer informational support (connections to resources). Any alone,” she said. “You feel so overwhelmed, confused and and all of these forms of social support do their part in isolated because of the disease. You really need to have improving a cancer patient’s good quality of life from the support of others.” diagnosis through treatment, recovery and survivorship. Laura appreciates the difference in the support she Study shows connection receives at Cancer CAREpoint from what she gets from A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical family and friends who “are sympathetic, but they don’t Oncology examined how social support (emotional and really understand the deep impact of a cancer diagnosis.” practical support) relates to long-term survival. Surveys She explained that they might try to compare their were provided to 168 ovarian cancer patients prior to surgery and then the patients were observed for several continued on page 3 years. The results found that patients with greater emotional support had a higher likelihood of survival for a longer period of time than those with low emotional support. The authors suggest that patients should be screened for deficits in the social environment as part of their treatment. Feeling connected to others helps to reduce anxiety, calm fear, avoid depression and maintain a positive outlook about the future – conditions that make it easier for a cancer patient to strictly follow medical directions to regain health and vitality. Conversely, research has found that the lack of social support leads to poor health behaviors that increase the risk of mortality. We see examples of the value of social support every day at Cancer CAREpoint when clients gather at a class, www.cancercarepoint.org Cancer is always a New Board Member Paula Reed, RN, has joined the personal story Cancer CAREpoint Board of A message from the Executive Director Directors. Paula recently retired after 45 years in nursing with 30 Last summer, my brother-in-law was diagnosed with years specializing in oncology. She cancer. The year before, my aunt was diagnosed with previously served as Director of cancer. And the year before that, my mother found a Oncology and Infusion Services at lump in her breast. Paula Reed, RN Palo Alto Medical Foundation and For me, cancer is personal. But my story is just one still handles special projects in cancer of many. care for PAMF. Earlier in her career, she worked at El Camino Hospital and Lifesource Home IV Therapy. Most people have been impacted by cancer in some way – if not yourself, then your family, friends, neighbors, She is past president of the Oncology Nursing Society co-workers, parents in your kid’s school, the friendly clerk Santa Clara Chapter and serves on the Hospice of the at the supermarket or your favorite waiter at a restaurant. Valley Professional Advisory Board. She was named an Everyone knows someone whose life has been touched by American Red Cross Hero and received the Leukemia cancer. Lymphoma Society Chairman’s Citation Award for Outstanding Service to the Community, Silicon Valley Cancer CAREpoint offers vital support services to all and Monterey Bay Area Chapter. She holds a B.S. in cancer patients and their families, no matter the type of Nursing from Loretto Heights College in Denver and is cancer, where they receive medical care or their insurance an Oncology Certified Nurse. status. This past year, we have made a concerted effort to expand our reach by scheduling programs in other parts of the county, working in new cooperative ways with our hospital partners, and developing model programs New programs for that reflect the specific needs of our community such as patients post treatment workshops in different languages and services tailored to the underserved. Cancer CAREpoint’s popular 8-week Survivorship class will Cancer is not just personal, it is about community be offered in two locations and how people come together to provide support to starting in January. Early those they know, and those they don’t. Just look at the registration is recommended. examples of community described in this newsletter: companies, businesses and foundations that provide The class is for people who financial support to Cancer CAREpoint . individuals have completed active and families who organize fundraisers and make generous treatment and want to process donations . volunteers who help us support cancer the emotional impact of patients and their families. the cancer experience. The approach is realistic, honest It makes me proud to see how our community cares. and insightful. Cancer is personal, and so is my sincere gratitude for your support of those we serve. Thank you. Sessions are scheduled for Tuesdays, Jan. 17-March 7, 6-8 p.m., at El Camino Hospital in Mountain View and Thursdays, Jan. 19-March 9, 6-8 p.m. at the Resource Center in San Jose. For information or to register, contact Amy Goldsbury, MSW, Rob Tufel, MSW, MPH at 408-402-6281 or amy@ Executive Director cancercarepoint.org. 2 www.cancercarepoint.org Social support and How to support health research cancer patients continued from page 1 normal tiredness at the end of the day with the deep through the holiday fatigue that lingers after cancer treatments. season Social media provide another way that people can The pressure to have a joyful and thankful holiday connect and cancer support groups are showing up on season can be difficult for people going through tough Twitter, Facebook and other websites. “These might be times. This is especially true for cancer patients a good option for some, but there is no substitute for in- who may be dealing with enervating side effects of person human connection,” said Sheryl Brown, Director treatments and emotional distress about their future. of Operations. “A smile, a hug, a friendly face is not something that can be replicated online.” Please consider dropping by the Online support options Resource Center at A study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Cancer CAREpoint. Research (JMIR) sought to understand how cancer We will have a full patients use the Internet for social support. Surveys calendar of classes were completed by 1,282 patients to assess frequency and programs for of Internet access and online behaviors. Of the 1,096 the first half of who had Internet access, 30% had not sought out social December. For connections online, 21% had read about experiences the last two weeks of other cancer patients, 37% had written about their of December, as personal experiences and 12% had participated in a well as throughout formal online cancer support group. Cancer patients the month, our office will remain open and our who actively posted or shared content perceived more professionally trained social workers will be social support from the Internet than those who used the available for counseling. Call the Resource Center at Internet solely for information. 408-402-6611 to schedule an appointment. In-person support Here are a few suggestions on how to make the The Cancer CAREpoint Resource Center is the site of holidays a more pleasant experience for people whose dozens of programs every month and it is open every day, lives are touched by cancer. Monday through Friday, for visits by cancer patients, their families and caregivers, who need a supportive emotional • Ask how the patient wants to celebrate the holidays boost. this year, and respect those feelings. • Focus on enjoying special moments that are feasible for the cancer patient. Don’t dwell on what traditions cannot be enjoyed this year, but put Cancer CAREpoint Helpline energy into coming up with new ways to celebrate The Cancer CAREpoint helpline that accommodate their health limitations. is a resource for the cancer • Let the cancer patient set the pace of activities, and community to inquire about make it okay to change plans at the last minute or supportive services in the Bay leave events early. Area. We are here to provide HELPLINE resources to assist you with • Offer to do shopping, decorating and holiday meal financial needs, legal services, preparation tasks. Stop by Cancer CAREpoint for meal assistance, transportation, holiday recipes from our nutrition classes. home care, mental health and One way to support many cancer patients in many other services. Cancer CAREpoint is fortunate to our community is through a donation to Cancer have a team of professional social workers to guide you CAREpoint so that our programs and services are through this process. Call us today at 408-402-6611. available when needed all year long. Donate online at CancerCAREpoint.org/donate.