Mission Matters Conference Call

Tuesday, November 14 at Noon Eastern and 8:30 p.m. Eastern by calling 800-910-2399 and enter passcode 487160

Welcome to the November Mission Matters Blog. This month we will discuss tobacco awareness and resources and information about caregivers. Remember the Great American Smokeout is November 16, 2006. Caregivers are an important part of the cancer journey and your American Cancer Society has a number of resources to help caregivers.

Tobacco Awareness

Lung Cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the US for both men and women. (Source: Cancer Facts anbd Figures 2006) and it is the most preventable form of cancer death. 87% of lung cancer deaths can be attributed to tobacco use. Tobacco use also causes an increased risk for other cancers, including stomach, liver, pancreas, bladder and esophagus to name a few.

Each year, about 3,000 non-smoking adults die of lung cancer as a result of breathing second-hand smoke and causes an estimated 35,000 deaths from heart disease in people who are not current smokers. (Source: Cancer Facts and Figures 2006).

The American Cancer Society can link you or a loved one to cessation programs and our Quitline, call 1-800-ACS-2345 for more information. And remember the Great American Smokeout on November 16- quitting for 1 day can lead to quitting for a lifetime. Visit www.cancer.org/smokeout for more information.

Caregiving

A caregiver is an individual who had a personal connection and commitment to someone with cancer and provides care outside of a hospital setting. Caregivers offer emotional support, may work with the health care professionals on behalf of the patient, and can often deal with the day to day need of the loved one with cancer.

Here is some infomration from our Health Promotions Team. According to the 2003 National Alliance for Caregiving/AARP National Caregiver Survey, at least 44.4 million adults provide the care for ill and recovering friends and loved ones. This assistance can assure that many patients receive care at a time when they need it the most and helps them to remain in their homes/communities and allowing them to stay more connected to their social network (church, support groups, etc). The study estimates that 80 percent of all care received by older Americans is provided by family members – spouses, children, grandchildren and other relatives – people just like you.

Caring for a loved one with cancer can be a challenging task. To help you during this time it is important to be prepared, both with information and resources, to make the job just a little easier. Make sure that your source of information is accurate, reliable, and up-to-date. The American Cancer Society has many brochures and books to help you understand and be ready emotionally and be knowledgeable about the daily tasks of the care giver role. Secondly, decide on what help you will needing providing care. Do you need help in finding transportation to and from care, a place to stay during treatment? Your local American Cancer Society staffs have a variety of services and resources at their fingertips that can help you with some of the most basic of services. You can call your local American Cancer Society office or you our National Cancer Information Center, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800-ACS-2345. It is also important to work with the healthcare team to develop a plan to meet the needs of the patient and discuss any concerns you may have or problems you may be experiencing at home with the patient. They can be helpful in providing assistance.

Remember to visit www.cancer.org which has a wealth of resources not only for cancer patients and survivors, but for caregivers as well.

Often times as caregivers, we do not think about the needs we have. In order for caregivers to support loved ones with cancer, we need to do some things to keep ourselves strong. Remember some of these tips:

Caregivers need to take time for themselves- watch for signs of stress and reach out to other family and friends or your health care provider.

Caregivers also need to be sure they are eating right and exercise to help keep yourself strong and reduce stress. Time management for a primary caregiver is also important, make to do lists each day, prioritize and delegate to ther support systems when you can.

Remember to get support for yourself. Many communities have caregiver support groups, call 800-ACS-2345 to learn more information. You can also visit the American Cancer Society's Cancer Survivors Network. This on-line support community, created by and for cancer survivors and their families connects you to stories of others who have experienced the cancer journey. To get connected to the Cancer Survivor Network visit www.acscsn.org or www.cancer.org.

Also, be sure to visit www.cancer.org/bookstore for excellent publications to support you as a caregiver and for information on cancer. The bookstore has a number of publications specific for caregivers, including Caregiving (A Step by Step Resource for Caring for the Person with Cancer at Home)

To learn more about these 2 important topics and ways you can include them in your Relay For Life, join us for the Mission Matters Conference Call Tuesday, November 14 at Noon Eastern and 8:30 Eastern by calling 800-910-2399 and enter passcode 487160.

Join us in January for the next Mission Matters Blog- we will focus on ACS Screening Guidelines and the Great American Health Check.