If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, you may be feeling overwhelmed. Although coping with cancer is a major challenge, 8.4 million cancer survivors are proof that this devastating disease can be treated successfully. The Visiting Nurse Service of New York can help you better understand your diagnosis so you can improve your ability to manage your disease, your medical treatment, and any side effects you experience.

Understanding Cancer

Normal, healthy cells in your body divide and grow to replace worn out or injured cells. Cancer occurs when cells grow faster than normal and without purpose. These out-of-control cells build up into masses, or tumors. Cancerous growths are often treated with surgery, chemotherapy (drug treatment), radiation (typically x-rays), and biotherapy or immunotherapy (using agents to make your immune system better able to find and destroy cancer cells). These forms of therapy may be used separately or in combination. Newer forms of treatment are being developed every day and may be available to you as well.

Cancer treatments often affect normal cells as well as cancer cells, so side effects are common. You may experience physical effects such as nausea, fatigue, pain, hair loss or changes in appetite or taste, as well as emotional effects such as anxiety or depression. VNSNY can help you manage your treatment and side effects, as well as help you lessen any problems that occur with your cancer or its treatment.

How VNSNY Can Help

Our professional staff can help you follow your doctor’s recommendations for treatment and learn to manage your symptoms and get the emotional and physical support you need. Our services include:

• Helping you to monitor the effects of your treatments and medications
• Helping you to manage complications or symptoms, including identifying problematic side effects that may require a doctor’s attention
• Escorting you to and from chemotherapy or radiation treatments
• Assisting with household chores if you experience fatigue as a result of your treatment