Cancer-coping programs help patients

Contributed by Aida E. Amado, MSN, RN, OCN, who is a clinical educator at Banner Baywood Medical Center in Mesa.

Question: What are some common coping strategies to use after you learn you have cancer?

Answer: Each person has a different coping strategy depending on where they are in their life at the time of diagnosis.

When a doctor tells a patient of the diagnosis, many people hear the word cancer and do not hear much else after that. At first, many individuals will go through the stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and eventually acceptance of their diagnosis.

Some people will use their spiritual and religious beliefs to get them through this, while others will rely on family. All will need education and counseling to know what is expected and not expected of their disease and treatment.

For individuals seeking support groups, Banner Baywood Medical Center in Mesa, offers a Coping Program for cancer patients that offers cancer-related education, treatment options, and opportunities to discuss whatever else needs to be addressed, such as fears, concerns and anxieties. The class is held every fourth Friday of the month.

For more information, please visit www.bannerhealth.com or call 602-230-2273.

E-mail health questions to nancy.neff@bannerhealth.com or mail to Nancy Neff, 1400 S. Dobson Road, Mesa AZ 85202.