Reading Suggestions
- What Cancer Survivors Need to Know About Health Insurance
This book sorts through the insurance maze by explaining the many types of insurance, exploring ways cancer survivors can get the most out of their insurance coverage and discussing laws that provide some protection for cancer survivors changing jobs. Includes new information about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (877-622-7937) or online.
- The Managed Care Answer Guide
This 35-page booklet, covering the terminology of managed care, is a consumer’s guide to selecting an insurance plan and understanding the provisions of your plan. Patient Advocate Foundation 800-532-5274
or online.
- It’s Your Choice: Are Medicare HMOs right for you?
This 30-page booklet was written by Consumer Action, with assistance from the Gray Panthers and the National Consumers League. The brochure, downloadable from their website and available in English and Spanish, advises people currently on Medicare about changes taking place in Medicare and what they mean. Consumer Action 415-777-9635 or online.
- Working It Out: Your Employment Rights as a Cancer Survivor
Unfortunately, many cancer survivors experience workplace discrimination. In fact, one survey found that American workers with cancer are fired or laid off five times as often as other workers. This book addresses the employment challenges that many survivors face and offers advice and resources to address those challenges.
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Caregiver Support Resources
Possible Physical Side Effects of Treatment
Fatigue - can be an issue for weeks or up to months after treatment. It is known that exercise at a moderate level, 4 to 5 times a week for up to an hour a day can improve and slowly decrease fatigue.
Sexual Intimacy
- National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (1-888-OVARIAN) "Ovarian Cancer: Sexuality and Intimacy"
Nutrition - healthy eating and physical activity after treatment are important as you recover from treatment and begin your life beyond your gynecologic cancer.
Fertility Issues - for both women and men can occur due to surgical effects especially for those undergoing Rectal cancer.
Peripheral Neuropathy - numbness, tingling sensation or pain in the hands and feet which can take months to repair. Peripheral neuropathy involves fine and gross motor skills which can have an effect on writing, buttoning a shirt, gripping a cup and your sense of position.
Chemo Brain - over the past few years, a lesser-known side effect of cancer treatment-- the cognitive dysfunction commonly called "chemo-brain" has been recognized.
Osteoporosis - is a decrease in the amount of calcium in the bone, also known as a decrease in bone density and can lead to fractures.
Depression - many women with ovarian cancer report psychological distress; studies have found higher levels of anxiety and depression among women with ovarian cancer than among women who do not have cancer.
- The Relaxation & Stress Reduction Workbook
By Martha Davis, Elizabeth Robbins Eshelman, Matthew McKay Patrick Fanning
- Mindbody Cancer Wellness: A Self-Help Stress Management Manual
By Morry D., Ph.D. Edwards
- Mind-Body Unity: A New Vision for Mind-Body Science and Medicine
By Henry Dreher
- Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness
By Kabat-Zinn JonBy Jon Kabat-Zinn
- Thoughts & Feelings: Taking Control of Your Moods and Your Life
By Matthew McKay, Martha Davis, Patrick Fanning
- Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life
By Martin E. P. Seligman.
- Mind over Mood: Change How You Feel by Changing the Way You Think
By Dennis Greenberger & Christine Padesky.