MCA Staff Writers

A cancer diagnosis is not only extremely physically demanding for a person as they begin treatment; a diagnosis is also very challenging mentally as well. For a patient beginning their journey through their disease, 20+ year cancer survivor, author, and CEO and President of The Cancer Club, Christine Clifford provides 9 tips to stay mentally and emotionally strong.

In part 2 of the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance's interview with Dr. Richard McQuellon, Dr. McQuellon offers expert advice on how honesty is paramount to an open and loving relationship between a patient and a caregiver. Finding the right words to say to a loved one battling with cancer is already a difficult task, and when compounded with a rare cancer like mesothelioma, honesty is the best policy for open and effective communication to continue during this tough time.

The holiday season generally brings to mind memories and images of spending time with your family and friends while you carry out your yearly traditions. However, for someone dealing with a cancer diagnosis and cancer treatments, the holidays can take on a different perspective. No matter the time of year, cancer is not only stressful on the patient, but also very stressful on family and loved ones. Psychologist, physical therapist, and bestselling author, Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo, witnesses first hand how cancer affects patients and their families emotionally. Here are five tips from Dr. Lombardo to help families stay strong when someone is fighting cancer:

The MCA recently spoke to Kate Fitzpatrick, who lives in Connecticut with her husband, a lung cancer survivor, and their daughter, Kelly Rose, who was born exactly one year after her father completed chemotherapy. Below, Kate shares tips from a caregiver’s perspective on how to take care of yourself as you care for a cancer patient.

Virtually everyone is touched by cancer—whether you are a patient, family member, friend, colleague or caregiver. We all want to demonstrate our care and concern without being intrusive. We wonder: What should we say? What should we do? How can we help?

We spoke to clinical psychologist, Dr. Ramani Durvasula, about the ways a family can stay strong when a cancer diagnosis happens. Here is what she had to say:

Dr. Heather Paulson, a Naturpathic Oncologist with Arizona's Natural Health Center Cancer Care Team, advocates for cancer patients and their loved ones to recover from a diagnosis and treatment naturally. Here are 8 steps to follow for a healthy recovery.

This is a common question after the delivery of bad news, especially with something as life changing as a cancer diagnosis. Coping with cancer is not easy. There has also never been a manual written with absolute, specific directions on how to cope with being diagnosed with cancer. Some people turn to their family and friends for support, while other turn to religion and prayer.

We live in an increasingly social age, with more information available instantly for public access than ever before. On most occasions this creates a more informed and educated population, but in some situations the bombardment of unending and sometimes conflicting stories can be confusing and counterproductive – especially when it concerns health issues like cancer.

Andra Brosh, Ph.D. is a licensed Clinical Psychologist in the Los Angeles area. She specializes in the human relationship, and helping individuals and couples with creating and sustaining fulfilling relationships in any context of life. Her focus is on pre-marital counseling, marriage, divorce and heartbreak. To learn more visit Dr. Brosh's website.

In the wake of a cancer diagnosis, feelings like fear, anger, and frustration are common. However, the patient is not the only one suddenly overwhelmed with these emotions. Cancer, it seems, is a disease diagnosed to everyone close to the patient, as well.

In difficult times, people tend to lean on their family and friends for support, care, and love. Receiving a cancer diagnosis is certainly a time when the support of loved ones is especially important. However, what if, instead of support, a patient received a narcissistic attitude from a loved one? Instead of care, a loved one retreated from the patient’s life? How should someone in a situation like this react to their loved one’s attention-seeking and negative attitudes and what explains the behavior?

When it comes to a loved one being diagnosed with cancer, it can be hard to know the right things to do for them. Everyone has different preferences and ways of dealing with hard times, but there is always something you can do! Here are the best tips and pieces of advice from those who should know best!

Cancer disrupts the normalcy of a person’s life—simple tasks like renewing a driver's license, the safety of waking up healthy in the morning, or the routine of working 9-5 take on a new normal. Keeping employment becomes a top priority for people diagnosed with cancer. In addition to making new goals and reassessing what is and isn't important in life, finding and/or keeping steady employment is necessary for preventing other fallouts from occurring.