BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — The Cecil B. Highland, Jr., & Barbara B. Highland Cancer Center at UHC wrapped up its fourth annual cancer survivorship series “It’s All About You” on Friday.
The American Cancer Society, in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute, estimates there are 13.7 million cancer survivors alive in the US today.
Linda Carte, director of cancer services with UHC, said they want those individuals to know there are resources available to them, no matter what stage they may be in.
“During the diagnosis of cancer, during your treatment and certainly during the rest of your life, sometimes your needs change when it comes to advice or information.”
One of the main things the experts stressed is that the road to survivorship is not just showing up to appointments with a doctor.
There are many lifestyle choices that have an affect on cancer that patients may not think about.
“I think they don’t think about their diet, what they should be eating in order to keep their body healthy,” Carte said. “Cancer is one of those diseases that doesn’t play by any rules. If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer once, you could get a recurrence, you could get a different type of cancer. You have to always think about taking care of yourself.”
Another aspect of treatment Carte felt that patients didn’t think much about was their medications and what effects they might have on the body, stressing the importance of talking with pharmacists.
For those unable to make the week-long event, UHC offers other cancer services, such as the Navigator Program, which walks alongside patients through every aspect of treatment.
“Even if they had colon cancer 20 years ago or if they had thyroid cancer years ago, there is a navigator here that will sit down and meet with them and talk about what are their individuals needs and help them navigate the waters of survivorship,” Carte said.
The popularity of the “It’s All About You” series and the services offered shows Carte and the UHC staff that there is a need for it.
“With cancer survivorship growing and growing across the country — 14 and half million people alive today after the diagnosis of cancer and expected to be 19 million as we enter 2019– you have to really think about the needs of these patients,” Carte said. “They can’t be forgotten because the treatments are over.”
More information on services UHC offers to cancer patients can be found at the hospital’s website.