Cancer Survivors Move Beyond This Cure

Doctors have some good news, for a change, about melanoma. Today, 79 percent of U. S. children diagnosed with melanoma survive it. The bad announcement, however, is that nearly two-thirds will experience physical or psychological problems or learning disabilities on account of their diagnosis or treatment.

These “late effects” can happen months, even years after cancer has been treated. If survivors don’t be aware of late effects, some might not associate the problems using the cancer diagnoses and a minor health condition could become a life-threatening issue.

Whatever their child’s health, parents usually takes a proactive approach. Here are usually suggestions:

• You are your child’s ideal advocate. Learn all you could can about the diagnosis, treatment protocol and potential issues.

• Maintain a detailed health care journal. From diagnosis on, hold a pen and notepad with you at all times and write everything down. Not just will this assist you in your child’s treatment, it will give you an accessible record for the future.

• Be open and straightforward with yourself, your family and especially your kid. Knowledge about late effects is important to help your child lead the full, healthy and productive life.

• Maintain a wholesome lifestyle for your family. A great diet during treatment can help minimize unwanted side effects. Follow a low-fat, plant-based diet and encourage daily physical activity to increase energy, improve moods, boost self-esteem and stimulate the defense mechanisms.

• After treatment, gather necessary information on your child’s continued care.

• Realize that as a result of the cancer or its therapy, your child may have problems in school. Meet with administrators and teachers to debate your child’s needs and health problems. Talk to the teachers about educational late effects watching for learning problems. If essential, have your child take a new neuropsychological evaluation.

• Be aware that transitioning to “normal life” as treatment ends might cause fear, anxiety and stress.

“It is crucial that childhood cancer survivors receive accurate and current specifics of late effects, ” said Stacia Wagner, a new National Children’s Cancer Society (N. D. C. S.) survivorship specialist as well as cancer survivor.