Psychosocial | News

My Dog’s Love Gave Me the Will to Live During Cancer

January 30th 2023

By Mary Sansone

After being diagnosed with leukemia, my Golden Retriever, Payton, was my emotional caregiver and gave me the will to live.

On Cancer and Careers: How a Diagnosis Changed Survivors’ Jobs

January 30th 2023

By Brielle Benyon

We asked our audience of cancer survivors how their diagnosis affected their careers. Here’s what they had to say.

'Cancer Ghosting' Is an Unfortunate Reality

January 26th 2023

By Natasha Carlson

Losing my breasts was hard, but losing one of my best friends was even harder, and something I’ve had to come to terms with.

Seeking Support Helps 'Normalize the Ambivalence' Felt With Body Image, Self Perception During Cancer

January 24th 2023

By Darlene Dobkowski, MA

Although patients with cancer may feel both grateful and grief towards their bodies, one expert emphasizes how important seeking support from a professional can be throughout this process.

How Cancer Affects Survivors’ Relationship With Their Hair

January 23rd 2023

By Brielle Benyon

We surveyed the CURE® audience about how cancer impacted their relationship with their hair. Here’s what they had to say.

Loneliness May Lead to Chronic Conditions, Emotional Distress in Young Adult Childhood Cancer Survivors

January 16th 2023

By Darlene Dobkowski, MA

As young adults, survivors of childhood cancers were more likely to report feeling lonely compared with their siblings, emphasizing the importance of screening.

Patients, Survivors and Caregivers Share How Cancer Affected Their Identity

January 16th 2023

By Sailaja Darisipudi

CURE® surveyed its audience to see if cancer has affected their identity. Here’s what they have to say.

Bouncing Back After High-Stress Moments While Fighting Cancer

January 14th 2023

By Steve Rubin

My body and mind go through a lot before and after cancer scans. Here is how I bounce back.

On Cancer Relapses and Dealing With Depression

January 13th 2023

By Mary Sansone

When I experienced an alcohol and cancer relapse, I fell into a depression. Thankfully, clinicians, loved ones and medicine helped.

How to Regain Control After a Cancer Diagnosis

January 11th 2023

By Natasha Carlson

Here are a few tips I’ve found that helped me regain a sense of control after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Caring for Spouse With Cancer May Increase Caretakers’ Risk for Anxiety, Depression and Other Psychiatric Disorders

January 9th 2023

By Darlene Dobkowski, MA

The risk for psychiatric disorders increased for spouses of patients with cancer compared with those whose partners did not have cancer.

Patients with Cancer Share How They Celebrate Milestones

January 9th 2023

By Sailaja Darisipudi

CURE® surveyed its audience to learn how they celebrate milestones in their experiences with cancer, if they do at all. Here’s what they have to say.

My Dog Helped Me Get My Act Together Before a Stressful Medical Appointment

January 9th 2023

By Steve Rubin

As a cancer survivor, major medical appointments cause a great deal of stress. It took my dog throwing up to make me snap out of it.

Leaving Cancer Worry and Fear in the Rearview Mirror in 2023

January 5th 2023

By Kelly Irvin

In 2023, instead of looking over my shoulder to see how cancer has invaded every aspect of my life, I’m vowing to face forward. No fear. No uncertainty. No what-ifs.

Everyone Thought I’d Be ‘Better’ After Cancer Treatment, But I Still Struggle

January 4th 2023

By Ngozi Ejedimu

Now that I’m six years out of my breast cancer treatment, people assume that I’m better and lack empathy. However, my anxiety is still high.

People With Cancer Explain Why They Call Themselves Thrivers and Warriors

January 3rd 2023

By Sailaja Darisipudi

Through a survey on social media, CURE® collected responses on what terms people prefer when describing their cancer experiences. Some people who have experienced cancer explain why they have embraced the terms "thriver" and "warrior."

Patient, Survivor or Neither: People With Cancer Explain Their Relationship With Certain Terms

January 2nd 2023

By Sailaja Darisipudi

CURE® surveyed its audience to see which terms they prefer to use when describing their cancer experiences. Some people who have experienced cancer explain their mixed feelings with the commonly used terms “patient” and “survivor.”

Be Better Than Cancer Shaming

December 27th 2022

By Steve Rubin

I recently came across a Twitter thread where people were shaming a cancer survivor’s decisions, forcing me to step back before reacting.

People With Cancer Explain Why They Don’t Like Labels

December 20th 2022

By Sailaja Darisipudi

CURE® surveyed its audience to see which terms they prefer using when describing their cancer experiences. Some people who have experienced cancer explained why they dislike certain labels.

Patients With Testicular Cancer ‘Should Not Shy Away’ from Seeking Mental Health Services

December 7th 2022

By Darlene Dobkowski, MA

Study findings showed that anxiety and depression may not decrease over time in patients with testicular cancer, emphasizing the importance of discussing symptoms with cancer teams.

‘Any Exercise Is Better Than No Exercise’ to Potentially Improve Mental Health in Patients With Kidney Cancer

December 5th 2022

By Colleen Moretti

A kidney cancer diagnosis may negatively affect a patient’s mental health; however, exercise may help put them at ease.

It’s OK to Not Be OK With Cancer

December 5th 2022

By Joe Bullock

Going through chemotherapy treatment was extremely difficult, and eventually I learned that sometimes, it’s OK to not be OK.

Tools Patients, Survivors and Cancer Caregivers Use to Deal With ‘Scanxiety’

November 28th 2022

By Sailaja Darisipudi

CURE® surveyed its audience to see how they cope with “scanxiety,” the anxiety surrounding cancer scans. Here’s what they had to say.

How Cancer Survivors, Patients Can Better Optimize Sleep

October 24th 2022

By Brielle Benyon

An expert recommends that cancer survivors and patients take several actionable steps to improve their quality of sleep.

Adopting a Dog Helped Me Out of the Post-Cancer and COVID-19 Rut

October 21st 2022

By Bonnie Annis

When I found myself struggling with anxiety and depression after cancer and COVID-19, I decided a therapy dog might be a good idea, so I adopted one.

HIIT Workouts May Better Reduce Stress and Anxiety in Certain Patients With Prostate Cancer

October 18th 2022

By Colleen Moretti

A patient with prostate cancer under active surveillance may encounter the fear that their cancer might progress, causing stress and anxiety. However, HIIT workouts may help put them at ease.

The Fear of Cancer Recurrence is Real, Natural and Nearly Universal

October 17th 2022

There are ways to manage the fear of cancer recurrence, so it doesn’t become overwhelming or debilitating. Physicians like me and a network of resources are here to help.

Patients With Cancer, Caregivers Detail the Unexpected Lessons They Learned From Their Disease

October 10th 2022

By Sailaja Darisipudi

CURE® surveyed its audience to gather insight into what unexpected lessons cancer has taught them. Here’s what they had to say.

Patients With Cancer Speak Up About the Types of Independence They Lost Because of Their Disease

October 4th 2022

By Sailaja Darisipudi

CURE® surveyed its audience to see how cancer-related pain or treatment-related side effects interfered with their ability to be independent. Here’s what they had to say.

5 Things Cancer Taught Me About Mental Health

October 3rd 2022

By Tamron Little

I grew up in a society where mental health was stigmatized, but cancer made me realize that it helps to speak up about these issues.