Episode 016: Your Survivorship Blueprint
May 19, 2018•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode description
Right now we have a really special guest. His name is Michael Jefford, and Michael is not only an expert in oncology, but he’s also a passionate advocate for cancer survivors! In this episode, Michael shares some truly inspirational words of wisdom on how you can take control of your life during treatment, and what to do with this whole uncertainty and stress around cancer really gets to you. Michael also has some tremendous insights on how you can deal with the challenges that come with rebuilding your life after cancer:
On dealing with fear of cancer coming back
Understanding your preferences about decision making
Trusting your specialist
How hope sends people on the search for alternatives
Building a better life after cancer
Tougher journeys for different groups through cancer
Powerful tools to help during a consultation with your specialist
Understanding palliative care
The importance of general practitioner during cancer
and much, much more!
Links
Coping with the fear of cancer coming back (fear of cancer recurrence)
Questions you may wish to ask about the time after treatment
How your general practice can support you to live well
Healthy Living After Cancer
Information for same-sex partners
Gay and bisexual men diagnosed with prostate cancer
Support in your own language (Cancer Council Victoria)
SECOND Ears smartphone app
Episode 009: Why The Oncologist Is Your Guide Through Cancer
Full Transcript
Joe: Michael, I know from experience that this fear of cancer coming back is very real, like it gets hold of you and much more after recurrence, if you get that. What can be done with it to deal with it in a better way, both in a healthcare perspective, as well as from a perspective from a person who needs to deal with it right now?
Michael: Yes. We know that the worry about cancer coming back or cancer growing or spreading is very common. We know from a lot of work that’s been done in Australia and internationally, that Australia is really leading in this area, that the worry about cancer coming back is very common and it can last a long time. People talk about learning strategies to deal with this. There can be a number of different things. For some people, it’s about acknowledging anxiety or distress and being able to recognise that and to have strategies to deal with it. For some people, it’s useful to understand what their risk of recurrence might be and to put that into some perspective.
For some people, the risk of recurrence might be quite low and that can be comforting. We know, too, that for some people, being able to do all that they can to manage the risk of recurrence is useful. Strategies like being as well as you can be, maintaining, exercising, healthy diet, participating in regular surveillance, where it’s recommend and evidence-based. Also, I think talking to people about how you feel and recognising the stress that comes with having had cancer and follow-up and the like. Sometimes that’s useful to talk to other people who have been in a similar experience.
Perhaps for some people being connected to a support group or something like cancer connect, that the cancer counsel runs. For some people, it’s useful to have the opportunity to talk to a professional. That might be a counselor or psychologist or somebody else like that.
Joe: Yes, that’s so true, Michael, because sometimes you really need someone with an outside perspective, someone who isn’t involved with you to listen to you and to perhaps give you advice, right?
Michael: Yes, I agree. I think a lot of people, friends and family could be well-meaning, but potentially might not recognise the concerns that people have. To have an attitude of: It’s being you, you’ll be fine, may not actually help people who are really worried about the possibility of cancer coming back.
