Wendy Harpham on Healthy Survivorship

Dietary Pattern for Health

After a cancer diagnosis, patients ask, "What should I eat? What foods should I avoid?

The answers found in magazines and offered by clinicians and purveyors of alternative therapies often paint a confusing picture of contradictions.

"Doctor, I Use Dietary Supplements"

What are Healthy Survivors to do if they want to go against their physicians' medical advice and take dietary supplements? 

New Nutrition and Activity Guidelines for Survivors

Up-to-date, science-driven guidelines on nutrition and exercise after cancer were published in the April 12th issue of Ca - A Journal for Clinicians, a publication of The American Cancer Society. Although addressed to healthcare professionals, the material is accessible to patients (free, online) and includes a section written specifically for lay readers.

Relieving Major Depression in Cancer Patients

An Oncology Times article caught my eye: "Relieving Major Depression in Cancer Patients: Specific 'Biopsychosocial' Method Found Useful."  It reviewed a study that addressed the impact of an intervention developed to treat depression, reduce stress and help patients develop coping strategies.

Treating Chronic Pain

A NYTimes article about ways to manage the costs of treating chronic pain also offers Healthy Survivors some tips on managing chronic pain itself.

Disabusing Patients' Belief in the Power of Positive Thinking

In my last post I promised to address whether linking health to personal virtue is "good" or "bad" medicine. Followers of this blog know what I'm going to say:

A Fighting Spirit

A NYTimes op-ed piece entitled A Fighting Spirit Won't Save Your Life concludes, "Linking health to personal virtue and vice not only is bad science, it’s bad medicine."

Why We Quit

When I jog, I feel as if I'm running for my life.

Healing Walks

An aphorism from the business world may help on the path to Healthy Survivorship: The current system is perfectly designed to deliver the results it does.

So if you don't like the way things are going under the circumstances, change something! Today I am blogging about changing how you walk.

Pushing Past the Pain

"Can you train yourself to run, cycle, swim or do another sport at the edge of your body’s limits, or is that something that a few are born with, part of what makes them elites?" So asks New York Times journalist Gina Kolata. 

This topic touches on something of interest to me as a Healthy Survivor, namely, Pushing Past the Pain, as Champions Do.

Costs and Benefits of Counseling

In Razing and Rising, I mention that Healthy Survivors "seek guidance and support." What if you've never needed professional counseling before?

Emotions After Cancer

When I was first diagnosed, my medical background made me more prepared than most for the physical and emotional challenges of cancer treatment. What blindsided me were the medical and emotional issues that arose after completion of treatment.

Your Friend's Keeper?

You've survived cancer. Now a friend develops the same type of cancer and is making horrible decisions (in your opinion). She's declining conventional therapies for a treatable cancer or deciding against telling her children she is sick. What's a good friend to do?

Paying for Complementary Therapies

As a Patient Money columnist, Walecia Konrad provides financial advice for those patients choosing to pursue complementary therapies.

Faith and Healing

The Cure Within: A History of Mind-Body Medicine - Anne Harrington - Book Review - New York Times  Yesterday I read this excellent review of a new book about the age-old question of the mind-body connection and its role in healing. Dr. Groopman says the author did a masterful job of retracing the history of the “stories” people use to give meaning to our suffering when we are sick or injured.