Almost 25 years ago, Nancy Cruzan died following a lengthy and very public court battle, amid national media attention, at a time when her family wished only for peace and privacy. Nancy’s sister, Chris Cruzan White, died of ovarian cancer this past August, in the embrace of her family, and with only the attention of …
Ethics SIG: Beyond Advance Directives – Advance Care Planning Read More »
Recently, I made the transition from pediatric social work to adult oncology social work. When I tell people that I used to work in pediatrics they raise their eyebrows and smile indulgently, as if a pediatric hospital is a magical land of brightly colored walls and stuffed animals. While pediatrics and adult medicine differ, I …
The benefits of smoking cessation are well-known to those in the healthcare field and perhaps especially to those who work with patients with cancer. In my role as a social worker focusing on patients with lung cancer, my patients constantly remind me of the smoking/lung cancer link. Patients’ (mostly spontaneous) reports of their smoking history …
A few years ago, as a new certified social worker and holistic health graduate, I had the good fortune to be offered a social work position with The Wellness Community in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It is an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide free comprehensive programs of emotional support, education and hope …
As sat at my desk in the final week of my role as an oncology social worker, I felt a bit panicky looking at the piles of paper, boxes, books, sticky notes and goodbye gifts. I was leaving my job to take better, more present care of my children and myself. But I was feeling …
Depression, hopelessness and thoughts about death are not uncommon in oncology patients. The estimated prevalence of major depression is 16 percent for people with cancer. Minor depressive disorders, including dysthymia and adjustment disorders, is reported to affect up to 22 percent of people with cancer (Mitchell, Chan, Bhatti, Halton, Grassi, Johansen, & Meader, 2011) although …
Depression, Hopelessness and Suicidal Ideation in Oncology Read More »
Prostate cancer is the most common male malignancy. According to the American Cancer Society, there will be an estimated 161,360 new cases and over two million survivors in the United States in 2017. While prognosis is good for men whose prostate cancer is caught early, treatments can cause a number of side effects, including difficulties …
Sexuality SIG: Serving Gay and Bisexual Men With Prostate Cancer Read More »
The AOSW Navigator Book & Film Reviews column has dedicated 2016 and early 2017 to reviewing the inaugural Handbook of Oncology Social Work: Psychosocial Care for People with Cancer. This is an exceptional publication that has already become a “go-to” resource for oncology social workers across the globe. More than 20 AOSW members have and will participate in …
As a new oncology social worker, I had to learn too quickly about the many challenges that advanced stage cancer patients face throughout the duration of their disease. In my position at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Newnan, Georgia, I envisioned work days filled with providing the “Mother Standard of Care” to all patients …
Resources: Wish Fulfillment For Our Cancer Patients Read More »
Every one of us receives and passes on an inheritance. The inheritance may not be an accumulation of earthly possessions or acquired riches, but whether we realize it or not, our choices, words, actions and values will impact someone and form the heritage we hand down. — Ben Hardesty