Candice Davenport is Maplewood’s Public Health Nurse/Health Educator
Last Thursday, Saint Barnabas Medical Center held a fall health lecture on “Navigating Care After Cancer” at the DeHart Community Center in Maplewood. The presentation, led by a radiation oncology nurse from the Saint Barnabas Cancer Center, focused on life after recovery and the importance of clinical support available to cancer survivors, and their families. According to the presentation, ‘a cancer survivor is defined as anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer and is living today. Because of major advances in diagnostic screening and treatments, people are living longer with cancer. Family members and friends are also part of the survivorship experience’.
As stated at the start of the program: ‘The last day of radiation or chemotherapy does not mark the end of your journey’. Rather, cancer survivors identify with the fact that cancer is part of their health history. Along with that, the presenter emphasized the importance of follow up with various healthcare providers regularly and sometimes for years after, to ensure that they have the medical support to live healthier. The lecture discussed the management of post cancer physical symptoms that may occur, depending on the type of cancer and patient response post-treatment, such as: menopause, neuropathy, fatigue, lymphedema, nausea, alopecia, cognitive dysfunction (chemo brain), weight gain or loss, sexual dysfunction, osteoporosis, diabetes, and hypothyroidism, bowel changes, infertility, and skin changes The presentation also touched upon the mental and psychosocial issues associated with being a cancer survivor and the resources available at the Saint Barnabas Cancer Center to support the patient and their families during this life transition.
Part of cancer survivorship is to create a Wellness Plan, which incorporates maintaining good nutrition, managing menopause, regaining flexibility and strength, maintaining bone health, taking care of emotional health, managing sexual issues, mental and emotional health; taking medications as directed, managing cognitive issues, and exercise.
To learn more about the wellness services offered through Saint Barnabas, please contact Margaret Correale RN, BSN, OCN, Oncology Nurse Navigator at the Cancer Center at Saint Barnabas Medical Center (973) 322-2929.
This program is part of the Saint Barnabas Fall Health Lecture Series, “Healthy inside and Out”, sponsored by the Maplewood Health Department and held at the DeHart Community Center at 120 Burnet Ave. Upcoming programs are:
October 14th: Stroke Risk Assessment, 11 AM -1 PM (NOTE: this screening will be held at the Municipal Building 574 Valley St.,)
October 15th: “Hip Replacement Options” with Dr. Timothy Henderson
October 22nd: “Dispelling Myths About Foot and Nail Care” with Dr. Kenneth Donovan
October 29th: “Sleep Disorders” with Jackie Morgado
November 5th: “Know the Skin You’re In” with Dr. Franz Smith
All programs are free and open to the public. Registration is recommended via Barnabas HealthLink: 1 (888) 724-7123.
