Patient Education
If you are living with cancer, learning about cancer and it's treatment is important. The more you know, the better you will be able to live each day. Use your healthcare team to help you learn about your particular illness and it's treatment. Make sure to ask any questions you might have.
Missouri Cancer Associates provides a variety of free educational programs in our Columbia office. Programs are held monthly in our community or conference room and cover topics of interest to those living with cancer.
Sexuality and Cancer
Sexuality is an important part of everyday life, but a healthy sex life can be difficult to maintain when there are so many physical and emotional factors involved. Feelings about sexuality affect our zest for living, our self-image, and our relationships with others. Yet patients and doctors often do not talk about the effects of cancer treatment on sexuality. You have a right to know how your treatment affects nutrition, pain, and your ability to return to work. You also have a right to know the facts about your sexual health. The first step to learning more about sexuality and cancer is to discuss the topic with your doctor or other members of the health care team. If you do not feel comfortable talking to your physician or nurse or if you simply want more information on sexuality and cancer, visit the American Cancer Society website. Diet and Nutrition
People with cancer may find it difficult to keep healthy eating habits. Depressions, anxiety, emotional stress, and chemical changes caused by the cancer can lead to a loss of appetite. In addition, patients experiencing side effects from surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy may need special nutrition. Cancer patients can prevent weight loss and malnutrition by making an effort to eat the right amount of food rich in calories, protien, vitamins, and minerals. Your health care professional should be able to address any questions you have about nutrition and diet. Helpful cookbooks written especially for people with cancer offer dishes high in protein and calories and are available in most bookstores. Hospice Care
Hospice care focuses on providing humane and compassionate care for persons in the last phases of incurable disease so that they may live as fully and comfortable as possible. Hospice affirms life and neither hastens nor postpones death. Hospice care treats the person, and not the disease; and emphasizes quality, rather than length, of life. Hospice care is appropriate when the patient can no longer benefit from curative treatment. Hospice care may be provided in the patient's home or in a facility that offers hospice care. Together, the patient, family, and doctor determine the time when hospice services should begin and which program is best. For information and assistance with resources in your community, just ask your social worker or nurse.
Sexuality is an important part of everyday life, but a healthy sex life can be difficult to maintain when there are so many physical and emotional factors involved. Feelings about sexuality affect our zest for living, our self-image, and our relationships with others. Yet patients and doctors often do not talk about the effects of cancer treatment on sexuality. You have a right to know how your treatment affects nutrition, pain, and your ability to return to work. You also have a right to know the facts about your sexual health. The first step to learning more about sexuality and cancer is to discuss the topic with your doctor or other members of the health care team. If you do not feel comfortable talking to your physician or nurse or if you simply want more information on sexuality and cancer, visit the American Cancer Society website. Diet and Nutrition
People with cancer may find it difficult to keep healthy eating habits. Depressions, anxiety, emotional stress, and chemical changes caused by the cancer can lead to a loss of appetite. In addition, patients experiencing side effects from surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy may need special nutrition. Cancer patients can prevent weight loss and malnutrition by making an effort to eat the right amount of food rich in calories, protien, vitamins, and minerals. Your health care professional should be able to address any questions you have about nutrition and diet. Helpful cookbooks written especially for people with cancer offer dishes high in protein and calories and are available in most bookstores. Hospice Care
Hospice care focuses on providing humane and compassionate care for persons in the last phases of incurable disease so that they may live as fully and comfortable as possible. Hospice affirms life and neither hastens nor postpones death. Hospice care treats the person, and not the disease; and emphasizes quality, rather than length, of life. Hospice care is appropriate when the patient can no longer benefit from curative treatment. Hospice care may be provided in the patient's home or in a facility that offers hospice care. Together, the patient, family, and doctor determine the time when hospice services should begin and which program is best. For information and assistance with resources in your community, just ask your social worker or nurse.
Additional Supportive Care
Patient AdvocacyPatient Education
Support Groups
Social Issues
National Links
CancerCareCancer Net - Coping with Cancer
People Living with Cancer
American Cancer Society - Patient Guides
Oncology Nursing Society/Patient Education
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
US Oncology provides administrative and management services to the medical
practice discussed on this Web site. US Oncology does not own medical practices
or provide medical services, nor does it employ physicians or nurses or participate
in decisions regarding patient care.