Sources of Support
Living with a serious disease such as cervical cancer is not easy. You may
worry about caring for your family, keeping your job, or continuing daily
activities. Concerns about treatments and managing side effects, hospital
stays, and medical bills are also common. Doctors, nurses, and other members of
the health care team can answer questions about treatment, working, or other
activities. Meeting with a social worker, counselor, or member of the clergy
can be helpful if you want to talk about your feelings or concerns. Often, a
social worker can suggest resources for financial aid, transportation, home
care, or emotional support.
Support groups also can help. In these groups, patients or their family members
meet with other patients or their families to share what they have learned
about coping with the disease and the effects of treatment. Groups may offer
support in person, over the telephone, or on the Internet. You may want to talk
with a member of your health care team about finding a support group.
Cancer Information Specialists at 1-800-4-CANCER and at
LiveHelp (http://www.cancer.gov) can help you
locate programs, services, and publications. Also, you may want to see the NCI
fact sheets called "Cancer Support Groups: Questions and Answers" and
"National Organizations That Offer Services to People With Cancer and Their Families."
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