| September 2004 Missouri Regional Newsletter p10 |
| Help for Treatment Decisions Parents want the best available treatment for their children, but making sense of medical information can be tough. Often, people don't remember anything beyond the word "cancer" when a doctor diagnoses the disease. And parents are thrown into a frantic period of tests, appointments with different doctors, strange medical terms, and changing emotions. The following links offer detailed information about cancer treatments in general and for specific types of childhood cancer. Cancer Treatments How they work, possible side effects, decision-making tools Find Information by Cancer Type This tool gathers and displays relevant information from the entire Web site, including prevention, treatment, coping, support services, and recent news stories. Questions-to-Ask Worksheet A printable reminder of key questions to ask the doctor -- with space to take notes. Coping With Cancer Childhood cancer has an impact on all aspects of family life, so a child's health care team may include psychologists, social workers, child life specialists, rehabilitation therapists, and educators who can support the entire family. These professionals promote normal growth and development for children facing cancer. A few key issues are discussed in the pages listed here: Dealing with your child's cancer diagnosis Tips to help parents (and siblings) cope with their own feelings and with children's reactions to cancer at different ages When your child goes back to school The psychological boost from going back to school, how to talk with teachers, how to handle learning problems, and more Calling 270,000 Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer Important treatment information now comes from the large number of adult survivors -- 270,000 and growing -- whose health histories show doctors what works and which practices will have the fewest side effects for the children in treatment today. Many adult survivors of childhood cancer were pioneers of experimental treatments that proved to be important advances. For those who've stopped going to follow-up visits, doctors have put out an all points bulletin: stay in touch with a cancer expert or other physician, who can help you identify and manage any delayed health effects from cancer or treatment. Researchers have found hidden heart problems among some child cancer survivors including high cholesterol and early hardening of the arteries, which raise the risk of a heart attack. The following resources can help survivors find specialized wellness clinics and aid primary care doctors in finding up-to-date cancer screening guidelines: Facing Forward: Life After Cancer Treatment NCI Information for cancer survivors including follow up medical care, workplace issues, social relationships, and where to find services Post-Treatment Resources Extensive listings from the National Cancer Institute Childhood Cancer Survivorship: Improving Care and Quality of Life continued on page 11 |