We at War On Cancer want to take a moment to reflect on this past year. 2020 was not normal for anyone, especially everyone affected by cancer on top of the coronavirus pandemic. If anything, physical and mental health has now become top of mind for basically everyone this past year, and it’s stayed our focus for everyone affected by cancer worldwide.
From developing our app and releasing features for all our members to launching our first partnerships to help bridge the gap between patient and cancer research, to the topics and conversations that we’ve covered with experts around the world…
Here are some topics and conversations to dip into and that we hope can help your mental health and navigate 2021, whether you’re experiencing life with or after cancer, or are a loved one.
What we’ll cover in this blog:
Coping with a cancer diagnosis
Relationships and cancer
Nutrition and exercise during and after cancer treatment
Improving your mental health when everything is changing
Learning more about cancer healthcare
Coping with a cancer diagnosis
Have you or your loved one recently been diagnosed with cancer?
If so, check out our conversations with psychologist, Dag Härdfeldt, who specializes in supporting people who have recently been diagnosed with cancer.
Video: Coping with a cancer diagnosis
Podcast: Cancer trauma, depression, and post-traumatic growth
Blog: Coping with a Cancer Diagnosis
If you’re wondering which coping mechanisms can help your mental health when experiencing cancer, check out this blog by our Co-founder, Fabian, who addresses the power of storytelling for improved mental health: Why Storytelling is so Beneficial for our Mental Health
This podcast episode with Dr. Martin Interbitzen addresses the mental health effects of coping with a cancer diagnosis and fighting masculinity norms: Coping with cancer and fighting masculinity norms
Or, read this story from Staffan Bergström, medical doctor, gynecologist and obstetrician, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Relationships and cancer
Maybe your relationships have been affected because of cancer, whether it be romantic, family, or friends. Maybe some of this content can help guide you, or simply feel less alone:
For dating
Blog – Dating During and After Cancer
Take a peek inside what it’s like to date after going through cancer, from Linnéa Hjort, War On Cancer’s Community Manager and breast cancer survivor: Dating after Cancer – How to Cope
Read about what it’s like to date someone who has experienced cancer here: Dating someone who had cancer
For relationships
Blog – How to be a Better Partner when Going through Cancer
Video – Take a peek at this conversation with psychologist, Dag, who gives some practical advice on how to approach changes that can happen when you, your partner, or family member are diagnosed with cancer: Relationships during and after cancer treatment
What about sex and cancer? Check out this story from Tammy Salmone, breast cancer survivor: Sex and Cancer Treatment
For families
Blog – Family + Cancer – How to Handle the Hard Moments
Video – Relationships during and after cancer treatment
For friendships
Whether it be cancer ghosting, breakups, or relationships growing stronger:
Read what cancer is like from a loved one’s perspective, written by Sebastian, Co-founder at War On Cancer: Cancer from a Loved One’s Perspective
Blog – Dealing with Relationship Changes During and After Cancer
Blog – Cancer ghosting – losing friends during cancer
Nutrition and exercise during and after cancer treatment
Many people experience changes to their bodies when going through cancer, whether it be because of treatment, side effects, or the cancer itself. We invited a few expert guests on our podcast and to our live events to speak about the facts and give practical advice on food, nutrition, and exercise during and after cancer treatment.
Video – World Cancer Research Fund’s Health Information Officer, Matt Lambert, joins us to explain what healthy eating means during and after cancer and gets to the bottom of diet trends and myths: Healthy Living during and after cancer treatment
Podcast episode with Dr. David Heber: What to eat during and after cancer treatment
Video – World Cancer Research Fund’s Oncology Dietictan, Adele Hug goes through how to eat in order to best prepare yourself before surgery or other cancer treatment, and how to eat in order to best recover afterwards – Cancer Prehab vs. Rehab diet
Blog – A summary of how to think when it comes to nutrition and a changing taste palate during and after cancer treatment: Food + Cancer – What’s True and Making Food Taste Better
Video – This exercise class, led by Lindsy, a breast cancer survivor and War On Cancer Local Community Manager, is adapted for when you’re going through cancer treatment: How to move during and after cancer treatment
Podcast episode with Fitz Koehler: Exercise during and after cancer treatment
Improving your mental health when everything is changing
How to better cope with a cancer diagnosis
Video – Coping with a cancer diagnosis
Blog – Coping with a Cancer Diagnosis
How to deal with cancer during the holiday season
Blog – How to deal with Isolation during the holidays: Isolation + Cancer – Tips for Christmas
Blog – How to prepare for uncomfortable chats or celebrating the holidays alone
Sometimes, a little self-care can go a long way in feeling a bit better. Here are a few tips on how to better take care of your skin and appearance from Look Good Feel Better when cancer gives you a new look:
Video – Skincare and make up during cancer
Blog – Skincare + Makeup Tips during Cancer Treatment
Interested in learning more about cancer healthcare?
Part of improving the mental health of everyone affected by cancer (our vision, check it out here) is to also improve health care people who experience cancer receive.
That’s why the War On Cancer app released its Health Studies feature in 2020, which means everyone touched by cancer is able to contribute to research, directly in the app. This feature bridges the gap between patient insights and the future of cancer care – listen to this podcast episode with Lisen Arnheim Dahlström, Head of Health Studies and Real World Evidence at War On Cancer.
Make sure to listen in to this podcast episode about the future of cancer care with Tara Donnelly, Chief Digital Officer at the NHSX: The future of cancer healthcare
Or, tune into this podcast episode with Leanne Pero about culture, discrimination and cancer.
Improve your mental health by sharing your story and connecting with others who relate. What’s more, make a difference by making your voice heard in cancer research. It’s easy. It’s powerful. It’s necessary. Download the War On Cancer app today.
Download the War On Cancer app below:
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Want us to cover something specific related to cancer in 2021? Email your suggestions to marketing@waroncancer.com. Looking forward to hearing from you and wishing you a peaceful and hopeful 2021 from all of us on the War On Cancer team.
