When Recurrence is Real: Gynecologic Cancer Patients Find Peace and Friendship
Bedminster, NJ (PRWEB) January 28, 2019 -- BEDMINSTER, NJ-- “Many people believe that the number 13 is an unlucky number. But, for me, thirteen is a fortunate number as that is the number of years I am an ovarian cancer survivor.” Lynn Franklin has been attending the Gynecologic Cancer Support Group at Cancer Support Community Central NJ (CSCCCNJ) for 12.5 of those 13 years. This support group is unique because women from all stages in their gynecologic cancer journey attend to find hope, comfort, and friendship.
Gynecologic cancers have a higher probability of recurrence than any other type of cancer. Therefore, the approach to both treatment and life are different than other diagnoses. Mary Haspel, another group participant, explains “When I first joined the group, I was terrified that I might recur. I felt better talking to other women who had recurred and had handled it with courage and grace and then moved on with their lives. I have since recurred and it has been so helpful to share my experience with others in the group. I feel supported and understood.”
Katherine Schaible, LSW and Program Coordinator at CSCCNJ, facilitates the Gynecologic Cancer Support Group. Over her years of spending time with these women, she notices the effect this diagnosis has on them. Schaible explains: “When someone is diagnosed with no potential of a complete cure, she won’t ever find herself with no evidence of disease. If the doctor doesn’t explain this medical situation, the patient doesn’t understand, so when they do recur, there is disappointment and a relapse of all the emotions from the original diagnosis. These emotions can be lessened if you empower women with knowledge beforehand, and being with a group of women who understand and have been through it helps normalize it. Recurrence is the inevitable setback that someone will experience.”
January is National Cervical Health Awareness Month. According to the National Cervical Cancer Coalition, nearly 13,000 women are diagnosed every year in the United States with cervical cancer. Due to the preventable nature of this disease, knowledge is power. All women are at risk for gynecologic cancers, and that only increases with age.
For many cancer survivors, an important milestone is making it to five years with no evidence of disease. Women with a gynecologic cancer diagnosis have a different experience, according to Schaible: “One participant was at her five year milestone and rather than feeling celebratory, she was worried she might recur. Seeing the other women who had recurred but are 10-15 year was comforting to her.” For survivors like Franklin, there is still a great benefit to the support group, “I learn new information from the ladies about chemotherapy drugs, protocols, nutrition, medical planning…attending this support group is akin to the give and take of life.”
CSCCNJ’s mission is to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community. So that no one faces cancer alone.® The camaraderie found in support groups like the Gynecologic Cancer Support Group provides comfort and support for participants like Haspel: “The group is also a place where information is exchanged like helpful remedies for side effects, where to get eyebrow tattoos, nutrition tips, etc. Most important of all are the friendships and special connections with other people that are formed. Cancer is not something to go through alone. The more people on your ‘team’ the better.”
Another group participant says, “I've never belonged to a support group before, but now that I’ve been part of this one for several months, I have found that meeting other people who are in the same boat and hearing their experiences, practical information and advice has helped me to feel less isolated.”
CSCCNJ provides additional resources for these women beyond group support. A multitude of education workshops relevant to women’s health are offered throughout the year. The goal is to empower these women with the knowledge they need to understand side effects and other issues that impact them because of their cancers.
These women find more than peace and friendship in this space. Participants like Franklin are advocates for each other and for gynecologic cancer awareness. They share resources and find new purpose in being the hope for others.
About Cancer Support Community Central New Jersey: Cancer Support Community of Central New Jersey (CSCCNJ) is a registered 501c(3) and an independently licensed affiliate of Cancer Support Community, an international non-profit organization. As experts in oncology mental health, the organization provides support, education, and hope to all people with cancer and their loved ones, so that no one faces cancer alone®. Backed by evidence that the best cancer care includes social and emotional support, CSCCNJ creates a caring community to help individuals live with, through and beyond cancer. At no cost to patients, family members and caregivers, the organization delivers essential programs and services including individual and group support; educational workshops; hands-on nutrition and healthy cooking education; classes to enhance health and wellness; and social activities for the entire family. In 2019, the organization is celebrating 15 years of community and compassion. For more information please visit their website at cancersupportcnj.org or call (908) 658-5400.
Kristen Lefkus, Cancer Support Community Central NJ, http://www.cancersupportcnj.org, 908-658-5400, [email protected]
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