Feed the Brain & Soul, How Cancer Survivors Thrive Together May 2, 2024 Of all the journeys in life, cancer shouldn’t be one you attempt on your own. More people are surviving cancer today than ever before, thanks to advances in early detection and medical treatment. Following initial diagnosis, patients with cancer often lean on their friends, family and medical team to get them through. As they leave active treatment, fellow cancer survivors can be the best source of support. Wherever somebody may be in their cancer journey, chances are good that someone else has also experienced a similar situation and may have wisdom to share. The physical treatment and effects of cancer often have a finite start and end, but the emotional toll can linger. Patients may struggle with feeling “why me” or question their purpose in life. According to research published in the journal Psycho-Oncology, patients who receive emotional support after their diagnosis are more likely to find positive meaning in their cancer experience. Research continues to show that survivors need emotional support during their journey with cancer. This helps them cope in the moment, while also leading to greater contentment later. The process of talking to someone and being heard helps the brain and the soul, so survivors don’t just feel better, they function better too. Recognizing cancer survivors need more than what is prescribed for them, the Samaritan Cancer Program recently launched a cancer survivorship series. Coordinated by Holly Almond, MSN, FNP, the six-week program is designed for cancer survivors regardless of where they may be on their journey. Throughout the series participants engage with one another, experience a hands-on cooking lesson, use art to help the heart and soul heal, discuss coping with stress, anxiety and depression, find how to journey forward and so much more. Participants and facilitators of the survivorship series offered feedback, speaking to the value of bringing cancer survivors together: “Launching this program for cancer survivors was a dream come true! Like we experienced in the cooking demo – it’s like we were all separate ingredients starting this series and now we’ve come together like a cohesive creation.” “This was a safe and easy space to talk about the hard things, like depression and anxiety. This group made it feel normal and not something to be ashamed about.” “I feel … Hope and possibility. Thankful. Grateful for this group. Like the Corvallis community scooped me up with love. Less alone in my journey.” “I learned … We are in it together. How to stretch myself. There are many resources for us to do better on our cancer journey.” “We all share something, which is this cancer diagnosis that has changed our life and through that no matter where we are we have camaraderie.” Those who have struggled with cancer for a long time may be tired of talking about it or being defined by it. That’s OK. If you can, encourage others. And if you are a new cancer survivor, hold onto hope for the future and find support wherever you can. To learn more about the survivorship series – a program funded by the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation – or other support groups as you navigate your cancer journey, visit samhealth.org/Cancer or contact the Samaritan Cancer Resource Center at 541-768-2171. Celebrate being a cancer survivor! Join Samaritan Cancer Program at the annual National Cancer Survivors Day event on the first Sunday in June in Corvallis or Newport. Visit the event page for details or to register.
