By Paul Mcindoe
One of the ways that sufferers of cancer and their friends and family can help to understand the condition is by obtaining as much information about the condition as possible. Discovering and understanding what is happening to your body and why, is a very important part of getting through cancer.
Today, we are lucky, in that information is so much more readily available than in previous decades. Cancer charities and government run initiatives mean that there are now many channels of information available to us. For starters there is face to face support, where sufferers can go and talk in total confidence to a specialist in a one-on-one environment. You will also be able to take home leaflets, booklets and brochures allowing you to read up on the subject at a later date.
However, it may not always be feasible for you to travel to meet with someone in person; perhaps you don't drive, are immobile, or live in an area that is not well served by public transport. Luckily, there are mobile cancer information centres that tour the country, visiting places that may not have a cancer centre already. Such cancer centres offer free, confidential information and support to people in their communities, and appointments are not generally necessary. These centres are open to anyone, whether they have a cancer diagnosis, are visiting on behalf of a friend or relative, or are just worried about cancer.
To those who would prefer to get support or information about cancer from the comfort of their own home, there are many free cancer support phone lines that cater for cancer sufferers and their families. There are even phone lines that are aimed at specific language groups so help is just a phone call away no matter where you are from in the world.
And for those who have internet access at home, the web is now a massively useful source of information and support. The rise of social media on the web has led to hundreds of specialist cancer support mailing lists, newsgroups, chat rooms, forums and other informational sites. Here, users can not only read about the various forms of cancer, but can also participate in discussions with other cancer sufferers, and thereby give and get advice and support, and even become part of a community to help others who are going through the same experiences as you.
With so many sources of cancer available, it's easy to get help and support. Whether it's online, on the phone or in person, so whatever the time of day, or day of the week, there will be someone you can turn to for cancer support.
Post a Comment