Lingering Effects of Cancer Treatment
Lingering effects of cancer treatment – A new study shows that many cancer survivors have to deal with a number of physical and mental health issues even five years after treatment.
Researchers used a 2010 American Cancer Society survey that asked cancer survivors an open-ended question about life after cancer treatment. The respondents’ ages were between 24 and 97, and 65 percent were female, about 45 percent were breast cancer survivors, and about 21 percent were prostate cancer survivors.
Almost 38 percent of the respondents mentioned a physical problem they had to deal with after treatment, ranging from pain to sexual health issues.
A fifth of the respondents mentioned financial or insurance problems, and also complained about a lack of information and education about after-care. Sixteen percent experienced a loss of personal control, ranging from bladder and bowel control issues to an inability to make plans and socialize.
Researchers suggest that preparing the patients on the side-effects of treatment, self-care, and what to expect after treatment can go a long way in empowering them to deal with such issues.
Category: News
