Cancer is a major illness, but not everyone who gets cancer will die from it. Millions of Americans alive today have a history of cancer and had successful treatment. For them, cancer has become an ongoing health problem, like high blood pressure or diabetes.
For most people with cancer, living with the disease is the biggest challenge they have ever faced. The disease changes your routines, roles and relationships. It can cause money and work problems. The treatment can change the way you feel and look. This page includes information on different aspects of living with cancer. Special sections cover nutritional, financial, emotional and sexual issues.
National Cancer Institute
-
Coping with Advanced Cancer
(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/advancedcancer
-
Facing Forward Series: Life After Cancer Treatment(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/life-after-treatment
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/vida-despues-del-tratamiento/page2
-
Taking Time: Support for People with Cancer(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/takingtime
- Cancer Diagnosis? Advice for Dealing with What Comes Next(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/cancer-diagnosis/HQ00379/METHOD=print
- Sleep May Be Cause, Not Consequence, of Cancer Issues(04/15/2009, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_82950.html
- Most Devout Most Likely to Fight Death to the End(03/17/2009, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_81807.html
- Depression Risk Increased Among Cancer Patients(02/20/2009, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_80787.html
- More News on Cancer--Living with Cancer http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alphanews_c.html#cancerlivingwithcancer
- Eat Your Fruits & Veggies ... Safely(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/SPC/SPC_1_Foodborne_Infections.asp
-
Eating Hints for Cancer Patients: Before, During, and After Treatment(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/eatinghints
- No Appetite? How to Get Nutrition during Cancer Treatment(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/cancer/HQ01134/METHOD=print
-
Nutrition in Cancer Care (PDQ)(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/nutrition
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/pdq/cuidados-medicos-apoyo/nutricion/patient/
- When Treatment Causes Eating Problems(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MBC/MBC_6_1_when_treatment_causes_eating_problems.asp
- Cancer Diagnosis: 10 Tips for Coping(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/cancer-diagnosis/HQ01306/METHOD=print
- Cancer Survivors: Managing Your Emotions After Cancer Treatment(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/cancer-survivor/CA00071/METHOD=print
- Cancer Survivors: Reconnecting with Family and Friends After Treatment(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/cancer-survivor/CA00072/METHOD=print
- Coping with Cancer during the Holidays(Cancer Care, Inc.) - Links to PDF - http://www.cancercare.org/pdf/fact_sheets/fs_holidays.pdf
- Coping with Cancer in Everyday Life(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MBC/MBC_4x_CopingCancer.asp?sitearea=MBC
- Coping with Fear of Recurrence(American Society of Clinical Oncology) - http://www.cancer.net/patient/Coping/Emotional+and+Physical+Matters/Fear+of+Recurrence
- Emotional Effects of Cancer(Lance Armstrong Foundation) - http://www.livestrong.org/site/c.khLXK1PxHmF/b.2661047/k.9E2F/Emotional_Effects.htm
- Finding Comfort Through Journaling(American Society of Clinical Oncology) - http://www.cancer.net/patient/Library/Cancer.Net+Features/Living+With+Cancer/Finding+Comfort+Through+Journaling?cpsextcurrchannel=1
-
How to Find Resources in Your Own Community If You Have Cancer(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/support/resources
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/rehabilitation/resources-spanish
-
Loss, Grief, and Bereavement (PDQ)(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/bereavement/Patient/page2
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/pdq/cuidados-medicos-apoyo/duelo/Patient/page2
-
Normal Adjustment and the Adjustment Disorders (PDQ)(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/adjustment/patient/
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/pdq/cuidados-medicos-apoyo/adaptacion/patient/
- Support Groups: Find Information, Encouragement and Camaraderie(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/support-groups/MH00002/METHOD=print
-
When Cancer Returns(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/When-Cancer-Returns
-
Anxiety Disorder (PDQ)(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/anxiety/Patient/page2
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/pdq/cuidados-medicos-apoyo/ansiedad/Patient/page2
- Cancer Fatigue: Why It Occurs and How to Cope(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/cancer-fatigue/CA00032/METHOD=print
-
Cardiopulmonary Syndromes (PDQ)(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/cardiopulmonary/Patient/page1
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/pdq/cuidados-medicos-apoyo/cardiopulmonares/patient
- Chemobrain(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MBC/content/MBC_2_3x_Chemobrain.asp?sitearea=MBC
-
Cognitive Disorders and Delirium (PDQ)(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/delirium/patient/
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/pdq/cuidados-medicos-apoyo/delirio/patient/
-
Depression (PDQ)(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/depression/Patient/page2
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/pdq/cuidados-medicos-apoyo/depresion/Patient/page2
- Diarrhea: Cancer-Related Causes and How to Cope(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/diarrhea/CA00040/METHOD=print
- Difficulty in Moving(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MIT/content/MIT_2_4X_Difficulty_in_Moving.asp
-
Fatigue (PDQ)(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/fatigue/Patient/page2
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/pdq/cuidados-medicos-apoyo/fatiga/Patient/page2
-
Fever, Sweats, and Hot Flashes (PDQ)(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/fever/patient/
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/pdq/cuidados-medicos-apoyo/fiebre/patient/
-
Gastrointestinal Complications (PDQ)(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/gastrointestinalcomplications/Patient/page2
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/pdq/cuidados-medicos-apoyo/estrenimiento/Patient/page2
-
Hypercalcemia (PDQ)(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/hypercalcemia/Patient/page2
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/pdq/cuidados-medicos-apoyo/hipercalcemia/Patient/page2
-
Lymphedema (PDQ)(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/lymphedema/Patient/
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/pdq/cuidados-medicos-apoyo/linfedema/Patient/page2
- Managing Peripheral Neuropathy in Cancer Patients(American Society of Clinical Oncology) - http://www.asco.org/patient/Library/Cancer.Net+Features/Living+With+Cancer/Managing+Peripheral+Neuropathy
- Managing Side Effects(American Society of Clinical Oncology) - http://www.cancer.net/patient/Coping/Emotional+and+Physical+Matters/Managing+Side+Effects
-
MyOncofertility.org
(Oncofertility Consortium) - http://www.myoncofertility.org
-
Nausea and Vomiting (PDQ)(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/nausea/Patient/page2
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/pdq/cuidados-medicos-apoyo/nausea/Patient/page2
-
Pain (PDQ)(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/pain/Patient/page2
-
Pain Control: Support for People with Cancer(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/paincontrol
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/control-del-dolor.pdf
-
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PDQ)(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/post-traumatic-stress/Patient/page2
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/pdq/cuidados-medicos-apoyo/tensionpostraumatica/Patient/page2
-
Pruritus (PDQ)(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/pruritus/Patient/page2
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/pdq/cuidados-medicos-apoyo/prurito/Patient/page2
-
Sleep Disorders (PDQ)(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/sleepdisorders/Patient/page2
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/pdq/cuidados-medicos-apoyo/sueno/Patient/page2
- Cancer and Fertility Preservation(American Society for Reproductive Medicine) - Links to PDF - http://www.asrm.org/Patients/FactSheets/cancer.pdf
- Cancer Survivors: Managing Late Effects of Cancer Treatment(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/cancer-survivor/CA00073/METHOD=print
- Cancer Survivors: Take Care of Your Body After Treatment(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/cancer-survivor/CA00070/METHOD=print
- Cancer Treatment Myths: Any Truth to These Common Beliefs?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/cancer/HO00033/METHOD=print
-
Cancer: During Treatment(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/cancer/treatment/726.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/cancer/treatment/726.printerview.html
- Exercise to Stay Active(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MIT/MIT_2_1x_ExerciseToStayActive.asp
- Family Life(American Society of Clinical Oncology) - http://www.cancer.net/patient/Coping/Relationships+and+Cancer/Family+Life
- Fertility and Cancer: What Are My Options?(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MBC/MBC_2x_Fertility_and_Cancer.asp?sitearea=&level=
- Grooming and Appearance(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MIT/content/MIT_7_2X_Grooming_and_Appearance.asp?
-
Home Care for Cancer Patients(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/support/home-care
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/rehabilitation/home-care-spanish
- Infections in People with Cancer(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_1_2X_Infections_in_People_with_Cancer.asp
-
Peanut Product Recall and Cancer Patients(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Support/peanut-recall
- Prostheses(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MIT/content/MIT_7_2X_Prostheses.asp?sitearea=MIT
- Road to Survivorship: Living After Cancer Treatment(Lance Armstrong Foundation) - Large PDF file - http://www.livestrong.org/atf/cf/%7BFB6FFD43-0E4C-4414-8B37-0D001EFBDC49%7D/brochure_gen.pdf
-
Sexuality and Reproductive Issues (PDQ)(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/sexuality/patient/
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/pdq/cuidados-medicos-apoyo/sexualidad/Patient/page2
-
Spirituality in Cancer Care (PDQ)(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/spirituality
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/pdq/cuidados-medicos-apoyo/espiritualidad/patient
-
Substance Abuse Issues in Cancer (PDQ)(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/substanceabuse/Patient/page2
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/pdq/cuidados-medicos-apoyo/toxicomania/Patient/page2
- Talking about Cancer(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/eto_7.asp
-
Transitional Care Planning (PDQ)(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/transitionalcare/Patient/page2
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/pdq/cuidados-medicos-apoyo/cuidado-de-transicion/Patient/page2
- When You and Your Family Differ on Treatment Choices(American Society of Clinical Oncology) - http://www.cancer.net/patient/Library/Cancer.Net+Features/Living+With+Cancer/When+You+and+Your+Family+Differ+on+Treatment+Choices
- Working during Treatment(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MIT/MIT_2_1x_WorkingDuringTreatment.asp
-
Your Health Care Team: Your Doctor Is Only the Beginning(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/support/healthcare-team
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/rehabilitation/healthcare-team-spanish
- Quiz: How Are You Coping?(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MBC/MBC_5.asp?sitearea=MBC
-
MyOncofertility.org(Oncofertility Consortium) - http://www.myoncofertility.org
-
Financial Assistance and Other Resources for People with Cancer(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/support/financial-assistance
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/recursos/hojas-informativas/ayuda-gastos
- Practical Effects of Cancer(Lance Armstrong Foundation) - http://www.livestrong.org/site/c.khLXK1PxHmF/b.2661045/k.A74B/Practical_Effects.htm
- Prescription Drug Assistance Programs(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MIT/content/MIT_3_2x_Prescription_Drug_Assistance_Programs.asp?
- What Cancer Survivors Need to Know about Health Insurance(National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship) - Large PDF file - http://www.canceradvocacy.org/resources/publications/insurance.pdf
-
ClinicalTrials.gov: Cancer and Quality of Life(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=neoplasms+%22quality+of+life%22
-
Depression Management Effective in Low-Income Hispanic Cancer Patients(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/results/depression1108
- New Approach for Treating Depression in Cancer Patients(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_1_1x_A_New_Approach_for_Treating_Depression_in_Cancer_Patients.asp
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Effects of epoetin-alpha on quality of life of cancer patients... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19331224&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Religious coping and use of intensive life-prolonging care near death... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19293414&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Physical activity as a supportive care intervention in palliative cancer... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19278175&tool=MedlinePlus
- Cancer--Living with Cancer -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=neoplasms[majr:noexp]+AND+(quality+of+life[mh]+OR+adaptation,psychological[majr]+OR+resilience,psychological[majr])+AND+humans[mh]+AND+english[la]+AND+(review[pt]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+jsubsetk[text]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt])+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt]+OR+news[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
-
Cancer: Medical Vocabulary(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/cancer/basics/730.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/cancer/basics/730.printerview.html
- Cancersymptoms.org Glossary(Oncology Nursing Society) - http://www.cancersymptoms.org/glossary.shtml
- Hope Lodge: Temporary Housing(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/subsite/hopelodge/index.asp
-
National Organizations That Offer Services to People with Cancer and Their Families(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/support/organizations
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/recursos/hojas-informativas/recursos-nacionales
- American Cancer Society - http://www.cancer.org/
-
National Cancer Institute - http://www.cancer.gov/
- National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship - http://www.canceradvocacy.org/
- Patient's Bill of Rights(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/mit/content/mit_3_2_patients_bill_of_rights.asp
- Helping Children When A Family Member Has Cancer: Dealing with Diagnosis(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ESN/content/ESN_2_1x_Helping_Your_Child_Deal_with_a_Cancer_Diagnosis_in_the_Family.asp
- Learning and Living with Cancer: Advocating for Your Child's Educational Needs(Lance Armstrong Foundation) - Large PDF file - http://www.livestrong.org/atf/cf/%7BD0794917-422C-499C-9C48-9ED3DDC42947%7D/Learning&LivingwCancer.pdf
- Mira's Month(BMT InfoNet) - http://www.bmtinfonet.org/mm/mira.html
-
When Someone in Your Family Has Cancer(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/when-someone-in-your-family
-
Dealing with Cancer(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/cancer/deal_with_cancer.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/teen/en_espanol/cuerpo/deal_with_cancer_esp.html
- Planning for Life After Cancer: A Guide to Survivorship for Teens and Young Adults(Lance Armstrong Foundation) - Large PDF file - http://www.livestrong.org/atf/cf/%7BFB6FFD43-0E4C-4414-8B37-0D001EFBDC49%7D/brochure_aya.pdf
-
When Your Brother or Sister Has Cancer: A Guide for Teens
(National Cancer Institute) - Large PDF file - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/When-Your-Sibling-Has-Cancer/PDF
-
When Your Parent Has Cancer: A Guide for Teens(National Cancer Institute) - Large PDF file - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/When-Your-Parent-Has-Cancer-Guide-for-Teens/PDF
- Sexuality for Men and Their Partners(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/mit/mit_7_1x_sexualityformenandtheirpartners.asp
- Sexuality for Women and Their Partners(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/mit/mit_7_1x_sexualityforwomenandtheirpartners.asp
- Cancer - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cancer.html
- Cancer Chemotherapy - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cancerchemotherapy.html
- Cancers - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cancers.html
- Mental Health and Behavior - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mentalhealthandbehavior.html
The primary NIH organization for research on Cancer--Living with Cancer is the National Cancer Institute - http://www.nci.nih.gov/
Cancer--Living with Cancer - Multiple Languages - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/languages/cancerlivingwithcancer.html