While Wellington gears up for the Rugby Sevens final on 4 Feb, here at the Cancer Society we’re also taking some time to promote World Cancer Day 4 Feb. World Cancer Day is an initiative of the UICC, an international non-government organisation working towards global cancer control. The UICC has developed a World Cancer Declaration which they invite the public and organisations to sign online at www.worldcancerday.org.

The Declaration is a tool to help bring cancer to the attention of government leaders and health policymakers in order to significantly reduce the global cancer burden by 2020.

The Declaration outlines 11 targets to be achieved by 2020 including: significantly reducing tobacco consumption, obesity and alcohol intake; universal vaccination programmes for hepatitis B and human papilloma virus (HPV) to prevent liver and cervical cancer; dramatic reductions in the emigration of health workers with specialist cancer training; universal availability of effective pain medication; and dispelling myths and misconceptions about cancer. UICC 2012

Overall the aims are to:

·         place cancer on the political agenda

·         improve cancer prevention and early detection

• enhance access to and treatment for cancer patients

At the Cancer Society we are involved in ongoing work which supports these aims with our range of support services, health promotion activities and funding cancer research

Coming up:

·         In Wellington watch out for Mates Paddle for Life. For this event a waka crew will paddle from Porirua to Wellington Harbour on 2 March with the aim of highlighting cancer prevention and early detection and in particular men’s health issues.

·         Our men’s health toolkit is being updated with the launch very soon of some new video clips of men’s stories www.getthetools.org.nz

Seek Support

Talking to someone about your feelings can reduce feelings of distress and isolation.Family and friends can be a good source of support.

If you need to talk to someone anonymously, the cancer nurses on our helpline can listen to your concerns and put you in touch with support services. Call 0800 CANCER (226 237)  to speak to a cancer nurse today.

Helpline Support

The Cancer Information Helpline, 0800 CANCER (226237) and email a nurse at info@cancersoc.org.nz, will be available at the following times over Christmas and the New Year:

Friday     23 December  Closed 

Saturday 24 December: Closed

Sunday   25 December: Closed

Monday   26 December: Closed

Tuesday  27 December: Closed

Wed/Thurs/Fri 28/29/30 December  9am - 5pm

Saturday      31 December  Closed

Sunday          1 January:  Closed

Monday         2 January : Closed

Tuesday        3 January : Closed

Wed/Thurs/Fri 4/5/6 January 9am- 5pm

Answering machine messages and emails will be checked on the days we return to the office. To have your call returned, please leave your name and phone number.

Other support services:

Lifeline (24hr/365 days per year) ph 0800 543354

Wishing you a festive season from Julie,Sue and Naena.

December 2011.

Men – get out the razors Movember is almost done for 2011. What a success this has been this year. We’ve seen some sporting heroes with magnificent moustaches – the entire Wellington Phoenix football team and the wonderful triumph of Kris Gemmell winning the 2011 Men’s Triathlon World Cup. Kris dedicated his win to everyone affected by cancer.

Movember is an international campaign and while fun (see the website http://nz.movember.com), has a serious message. Funds raised in New Zealand go to the Cancer Society and the Mental Health Foundation to support initiatives raising awareness and improving the health of NZ men.

The Cancer Society has received funding from Movember to help us get our men’s health virtual toolkit www.getthetools.org.nz , and our workplace men’s health programme CanWork off the ground.

Thanks to all the men who took part this year, and the women who supported you and endured the month and the mos!

I recently attended a wonderful workshop on writing therapy. I was amazed at how powerful the techniques we were taught were in encouraging reluctant writers and allowing the words to flow! An example is ‘moon writing’ (the mind ‘free-wheeling’  or  ‘stream of consciousness’ writing). Just pick a word, an image, a phrase or a topic and just start writing anything that comes to mind. Don’t lift the pen and don’t worry about grammar, accuracy or sense. Stop after a few minutes and review what you’ve written – look for significant words or themes. It may be a key to understanding more about what is going on for you at a more subconscious level.

We looked at sentence starters – “I will always remember..” or  “when I was little I wanted…”or “I’m not ready yet, but eventually I need to.. and so on – a good way to start to bring your ideas and words to life.

Many people have written about their experiences with cancer - we have several great books in our library – Phil Kerslake’s  Life, Happiness and Cancer,  It’s Not about the Bike by Lance Armstrong and others. We’ve just ordered Gwendoline Smith’s book Breast Support reviewed in a recent Listener. These books can be an excellent way of connecting with others through reading of their experience, often along the way validating how you may be feeling as a person with cancer. A personal favourite Writing My Way through Cancer by UK writer Myra Schneider has gone missing – I’ve just made a note to replace that book!

Journaling can be a good way to start your writing and has well-recognised as being therapeutic. There’s something about the power of naming how you’re feeling. Writing it down transfers jumbled thoughts and fears whirling around in your head, and releases them onto the page of your journal. Suddenly things may seem clearer and this may enable you to process and integrate difficult experiences.

Stephanie Dowrick’s Creative Journal Writing – the art and heart of reflection is a good guide to journaling (available in the Cancer Society Wellington library).

There are many outlets now for writing about your cancer without having to publish a book,  for example, we welcome your blogs and posts on CancerChatNZ www.cancernz.org.nz. We’d love to hear from you.

Julie Holt

Cancer Information Nurse

The dates and venues are as follows:

Blenheim - Tuesday 16 August 6.30pm - 8pm Wishart Room, Marlborough Civic Centre

Nelson  - Wed 17 August, 12 noon - 2pm, Suburban Club, Tahunanui Drive

Masterton - Thursday 18 August, 12.30pm - 2pm, Boddington Room, Masterton Club

Wellington Thursday 18 August 6pm - 7.30pm, Spectrum Theatre, cnr Johnston St and Customhouse Quay. 

There are approximately 30 million cancer survivors around the world today with numbers increasing each year thanks to earlier detection of cancer, better treatments and the aging population.

While many cancer survivors are well, it is estimated that almost 70% may have on-going symptoms and late effects after treatment that may affect their daily life.

As readers of this blog will know most cancer survivors have concerns about their cancer recurring and many experience effects on their family and relationships and sexuality. Many face an increased financial burden as a result of cancer treatment and changes to their employment. Others report difficulties they face when friends, their employer or colleagues expect they will be back to ‘normal’ as soon as treatment finishes.

There are many things that can be done to improve the health of cancer survivors and reduce risk of cancer returning. The strategies needed to achieve these do not include what we usually consider a “cancer treatment” but focus on lifestyle changes, exercise and diet and are thus often not considered as important as ‘medical’ treatment.

We urgently need more research into effective cancer rehabilitation services, and late effects of treatments.

As countries like US, UK, Canada, Australia and the European Union are developing strategies to manage this emerging challenge (effectively, the result of our success in treatment of cancer), the question is, what will NZ do?

Come along and hear Professor Koczwara speak if you can  - we will put her talk on our website soon after the lecture (we’ll put the link on the blog) so check this if you are unable to attend.

Julie, Cancer information Nurse.

I’ve been trawling through some of my favourite websites and see this week is Bowel Cancer Awareness Week, (at least in Australia and New Zealand) then next week is Men’s Health Week. It’s hard to keep up with all these ‘weeks’ and ‘months’ but they do serve the useful purpose of highlighting health issues.

These two weeks mentioned above are connected in that bowel cancer is a significant health problem for men and particularly men in NZ. Bowel cancer affects more men than women and bowel cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in NZ. NZ has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the Western world.

So what are we doing about bowel cancer?  Finding bowel cancer early and having treatment promptly can result in high survival rates.

Good news is the pilot for bowel cancer screening to start this year in Waitemata DHB area. People living in that area aged 50 to 74 yrs will be eligible to take part in the screening programme which will involve testing samples of faeces for blood.

As it is thought that bowel cancer may be related to a diet high in fat and low in fruit and vegetable fibre, health promotion agencies are encouraging healthy nutrition with an emphasis on higher consumption of vegetables and fruit along with physical exercise to lower risk of many health problems including bowel cancer. America has just changed its traditional graphic of a ‘food pyramid’ for healthy eating to a ‘plate-based’ icon. They recommend a  plate of food should contain ½ fruits and vegetables ¼ grains and ¼ protein. Off to the side of the plate is a smaller circle representing dairy products like milk or yoghurt.

Source: American Cancer Society 2011

For those diagnosed with bowel cancer in NZ the Cancer Society offers many support programmes – our Living Well programme is one example - a six-week programme offered in several areas of NZ. One of our latest patient information booklets ‘Bowel cancer and bowel function: practical advice’ (2011), written for people after surgery for bowel cancer, has proven very helpful with a high demand for copies by both patients and health professionals.

Men’s Health

Why the concern? Consistently NZ men have had a shorter life expectancy than women, surveys show they visit their GP less often than women and anecdotally are less likely to talk about their health – physical or mental, than women. John Kirwan is a great ambassador for men’s mental health – his website is excellent and this year the Cancer Society Wellington is promoting its website for men’s health. Getthetools.org.nz  features a toolkit guiding men to health information. The toolkit is ideal for use in the workplace and next week (Men’s Health Awareness Week) we are holding a presentation for health promoters, occupational health nurses and health and safety staff on how they can use the toolkit in their workplace.

Check out the toolkit www.getthetools.org.nz

Call us or email for more information ph 0800 CANCER (226237), info@cancersoc.org.nz 

The concept of resilience is talked about a lot too in cancer circles as it is thought to be important in coping with the uncertainties and difficulties of cancer. Resilience seems to be a mix of individual traits such as ‘hardiness’, a tendency to view life with optimism and hopefulness, and external things like social support. Practical things like regular exercise, avoiding cigarette smoking and heavy alcohol consumption, healthy eating (for example, lots of fruits and vegetables and lower fat foods), and learning stress-reduction techniques can help achieve a sense of control and build resilience. Getting enough rest, learning how to effectively deal with emotional stress, and reflecting on the spiritual aspects of life can also be beneficial.

I recently heard an inspirational speaker Matt Loscalzo at a cancer conference in Melbourne talking about resilience. While he confirmed the research showing that many people with cancer face disabling distress at times, he reminded us that the majority of patients and families are able to adapt to the many challenges of having cancer. He spoke of the remarkable strengths people often have in the face of adversity. He described how, even with what may be seen to be limiting disabilities, many people simply ‘make the best of things’ and get on with life. This reminds me of the people of Christchurch – determined to rebuild their city and get things back to ‘normal’ again.

On a practical level I think the support services offered by the Cancer Society have a vital part to play in helping people explore new coping strategies and draw on their inner strengths. Our services such as the Cancer Information Helpline, the Living Well programme, Cancer Connect, workshops, support groups, CancerChatNZ, and many others give people a place to phone, visit or email, ask questions, find up-to-date information, connect with others and find practical support.  We look forward to hearing from you.

I‘ve put together a couple of links to more info on resilience:

Resilience: a patient’s perspective www.cancersupportivecare.com/supportideas.html#resilience

Resilience: Reframing Experience, Redefining Goals www.mdanderson.org/publications/network/issues/2010-spring/resilience-in-cancer-patients.html

Julie Holt, Cancer Information Nurse

Having to take time off work, or if self-employed losing significant time away from a business can have a huge impact on personal finances. Household expenses often increase during cancer chemotherapy. For example, people on treatment often have changes in appetite or types of food they can eat, and spend a lot more than usual trying to find food they fancy. For many there may be increases in transport costs.

Others want to keep working for the welcome diversion it brings from having cancer, and for important social contact.

Continuing to work through your cancer treatment can involve many challenges such as coping with reduced energy and difficulty concentrating for some (‘chemobrain”). Fitting both work commitments and treatment appointments into a busy schedule can take its toll. It may also be challenging for your colleagues and employers. Most are concerned with not overloading you.

However the benefits of continuing to work can be many – some say it’s good to feel a sense of achievement and to experience the support of others in their workplace. For many it is a way of feeling ‘normal’.

The following is a quick guide to resources available for further information on work and cancer.

Cancer: Legal, Financial and Employment Issues information sheet - for employers and colleagues www.cancernz.org.nz/assets/files/info/Information%20Sheets/IS_CancerInsuranceLegalAndEmploymentIssues_26Nov2010.pdf

Workbridge www.workbridge.co.nz

Managing cancer in the workplace information sheet www.cancernz.org.nz/assets/files/docs/info/Informationsheets/8342_CSNAT_Managing%20Cancer%20workplace%20for%20web.pdf

Living, Caring, Working (Australia)  www.livingcaringworking.com/

Work and Cancer (UK) www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Livingwithandaftercancer/Practicalissues/Workcancer/Workcancer.aspx

Cancer and Careers (USA) www.cancerandcareers.org/

Here at the Cancer Society Wellington we’d love to hear about your experiences (good and bad) of combining cancer and work, the effects of not being able to work during your treatment, workplace challenges etc. We could put these together on the website for others to share.

Julie, Cancer Information Nurse

You may face an increased pressure to interact with relatives even though you’re not quite up to a visit. You may also feel burdened by the financial pressures of lavish gift-giving, and the need to convey a cheerful demeanor despite your private pain. Try paring down expectations for the perfect holiday.

Once you let go of the guilt of the “wished for” holiday and allow yourself to enjoy what blessings you do have, then you can truly appreciate what the season is all about.

Instead, mark this season as a time of personal growth. You can start by putting your emotional, physical and spiritual needs first, even if it means attending only events that will brighten your spirits. If you or a family member is unable to celebrate the holidays at home, enlist the help of the social worker  for ideas and activities that can bring joy and celebration within a hospital or hospice setting. Remember that the true spirit of the season is the mental and emotional renewal gained through the gift of love.

Seek Support

Talking to someone about your feelings can reduce feelings of distress and isolation.Family and friends can be a good source of support.

If you need to talk to someone anonymously, the cancer nurses on our helpline can listen to your concerns and put you in touch with support services. Call 0800 CANCER (226 237)  to speak to a cancer nurse today.

Helpline Support

The Cancer Information Helpline, 0800 CANCER (226237) and email a nurse at info@cancersoc.org.nz, will be available at the following times over Christmas and the New Year:

Saturday 25 December: Closed

Sunday   26 December: Closed

Monday   27 December: Closed

Tuesday  28 December: Closed

Wed/Thurs/Fri 29/30/31 December  9am - 5pm

Saturday      1 January :  Closed

Sunday          2 January:  Closed

Monday         3 January : Closed

Tuesday        4 January : Closed

Wed/Thurs/Fri 5/6/7 January 9am- 5pm

Answering machine messages and emails will be checked on the days we return to the office. To have your call returned, please leave your name and phone number.

Other support services:

Lifeline (24hr/365 days per year) ph 0800 543354

Wishing you a festive season from Julie and Naena.

December 2010.