For many people, pets feel like a part of the family. After a cancer diagnosis, pets can offer many benefits. However, as a cancer patient, there are some things you need to keep in mind when it comes to pets during cancer treatment.

By design the 12-Steps, like recovery, are meant to be ongoing.   The steps are not something you simply check off a list. In addition to being ongoing, the 12-Steps are not always linear either. You may need to work the steps out of order or come back to steps from time to time. The 12-Steps work because they provide people with addiction the tools to practice good mental health continually throughout their lives.

As you probably know, cancer treatments can cause unpleasant side effects. Changes to the skin are part of the possible side effects. Even if you do not experience skin-related side effects, cancer can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to infections. Practicing good skin care can help you avoid infections from minor cuts and scrapes. Your skin is your largest organ. Take good care of it! How can you best care for your skin during cancer treatment?

If you are a cancer survivor who received chemotherapy or immunotherapy at a hospital or treatment center accredited by the Commission on Cancer , the drugs you received were either FDA approved or part of an FDA monitored clinical trial. If you’ve ever watched an add on TV for a medication that requires a doctor’s prescription, you’ve probably heard the phrase “FDA approved.” So, who is the FDA, and why is FDA approval so important?

A printable, comprehensive overview of colorectal cancer to use as a guidebook through treatment and survivorship. Found on My PearlPoint (mypearlpont.org).

Postcard for open house event.

Many female cancer survivors experience sexual dysfunction or changes in their sex lives after a cancer diagnosis. These changes can be physical or mental. This article explains the possible causes of these side effects and provides tips for managing them.

Many believe that once treatment ends, the cancer journey is over, but that’s not always the case. Many cancer survivors struggle with the fear of recurrence. What if my cancer comes back? What if my cancer spreads? For some, these fears can become overwhelming even years into remission. These fears are completely normal, but there are things you can do to try to manage them.

October e-newsletter for PearlPoint Cancer Support subscribers.

For lupus survivors, exercise and physical activity can greatly improve quality of life and help manage the symptoms of lupus and the side effects of lupus medication. Exercise can improve: fatigue, joint pain, swelling, insomnia, cardiovascular health, and weight management. Exercise doesn't just have physical benefits; it can also improve your emotional well being, too. Exercise releases endorphins, brain chemicals that help elevate your mood.