Cancer : Spiritual Help, People in Health Care

by National Cancer Institute

(Page 10 of 14)

Spiritual Help

Spirituality means the way you look at the world and make sense of your place in it. Spirituality can include faith or religion, beliefs, values, and "reasons for being."

Most people are spiritual in some way, whether or not they go to a church, temple, or mosque.

Cancer can affect people's spirituality. Some people find that cancer brings a new or deeper meaning to their faith. Others feel that their faith has let them down. For example, you may:

• struggle to understand why you have cancer
• wonder about life's purpose and how cancer fits in the "fabric of life"
• question your relationship with God

Many people find that their faith is a source of comfort. They find they can cope better with cancer when they pray, read religious books, meditate, or talk with members of their spiritual community. The wife of a man with cancer said,

"I could not handle my husband's illness on my own. It's real hard when I have my down times. But my faith gives me strength and, mostly, I have peace about it."

Many people also find that cancer changes their values. The things you own and your daily duties may seem less important. You may decide to spend more time with loved ones, helping others, doing things in the outdoors, or learning about something new.

One who is contented is not always rich.

— Spanish Proverb

People in Health Care

Most cancer patients have a treatment team of health providers who work together to help them. This team may include doctors, nurses, social workers, pharmacists, dietitians, and other people in health care. Chances are that you will never see all these people at the same time. In fact, there may be health providers on your team who you never meet.

Doctors

Most people with cancer have two or more doctors. Chances are, you will see one doctor most often. This person is the leader of your team. He or she not only meets with you but also works with all the other people on your treatment team.

Make sure to let your doctor know how you are feeling. Tell him or her when you feel sick, are depressed, or in pain. When your doctor knows how you feel, he or she can:

• figure out if you are getting better or worse
• decide if you need other drugs or treatments
• help you get the extra support you need

Ask your doctor how often he or she will see you, when you will have tests, and how long before you know if the treatment is working.

Nurses

Most likely, you will see nurses more often than other people on your treatment team. If you are in the hospital, nurses will check in on you many times a day. If you are at home, visiting nurses may come to your house and help with your treatment and care. Nurses also work in clinics and doctor offices.

You can talk with nurses about your day-to-day concerns. They can tell you what to expect, such as if a certain drug is likely to make you feel sick. You can also talk with nurses about what worries you. They can offer hope, support, and suggest ways to talk with family and friends about your feelings.

Nurses work with all the other health providers on your treatment team. Let them know if you need or want more help.

Pharmacists

Pharmacists not only fill prescriptions but also can teach you about the drugs you are taking. They can help you by:

• talking with you about how your drugs work
• telling you how often to take your drugs
• teaching you about side effects and how to deal with them
• warning you about the danger of mixing drugs together
• letting you know about foods you shouldn't eat or things you shouldn't do, like being in the sun for too long

Dietitians

People with cancer often have trouble eating or digesting food. Eating problems can be a side effect from cancer drugs or treatments. They can also happen when people are so upset that they lose their appetite and don't feel like eating.

Dietitians can help by teaching you about foods that are healthy, taste good, and are easy to eat. They can also suggest ways to make eating easier, such as using plastic forks or spoons so food doesn't taste like metal when you are having chemo. Ask your doctor or nurse to refer you to a dietitian who knows about the special needs of cancer patients.

Social Workers

Social workers assist patients and families with meeting their daily needs such as:

• finding support groups near where you live
• dealing with money matters, like paying the bills
• talking about your cancer with your boss
• filling out paperwork, such as advance directives or living wills
• talking about your cancer with your family and other loved ones
• dealing with your feelings such as depression, sadness, or grief
• coping with stress and learning new ways to relax
• learning about health insurance, such as what your policy covers and what it does not
• finding rides to the hospital, clinic, or doctor's office
• setting up visits from home health nurses

Patient Educators

Patient or health educators can help you learn more about your cancer. They can find information that fits your needs. Patient educators are also experts in explaining things that may be hard to understand. Many hospitals and treatment centers have resource centers run by health educators. These centers contain books, videos, computers, and other tools to help you and your family. These tools can help you understand your type of cancer, your treatment choices, side effects, and tips for living with and beyond your cancer. Ask your doctor or nurse about talking to a patient educator.

Psychologists

Most people are very upset when they face a serious illness such as cancer. Psychologists can help by talking with you and your family about your worries. They can not only help you figure out what upsets you but also teach you ways to cope with these feelings and concerns.

Let your doctor or nurse know if you want to talk with a psychologist who is trained to help people with cancer.

Psychiatrists

Sometimes people with cancer are depressed or have other psychiatric (mental health) disorders. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe drugs for these disorders. They can also talk with you about your feelings and help you find the mental health services you need.

Let your doctor know if you feel like you need to meet with a psychiatrist.

Licensed Counselors and Other Mental Health Professionals

Licensed counselors, pastoral care professionals, spiritual leaders, nurse practitioners, and other mental health professionals also help people deal with their feelings, worries, and concerns. For instance, they can:

• help you talk about feelings such as stress, depression, or grief
• lead support groups and therapy sessions
• act as a "go-between," such as with your child's school or your boss at work
• refer you to other health providers and services near where you live

Talk with your doctor or contact your local cancer center to find mental health professionals near you.

About the Author

www.nci.nih.gov
The National Cancer Institute's research programs are extensive and contain many innovative initiatives. I invite you to explore our Web site to find out more about the exciting work being conducted here at NCI and by NCI-supported scientists throughout the country.