When a child is diagnosed with a brain tumor or brain cancer, the initial impact that news has on the family is simply overwhelming. This is a crucial time for the patient, parents and families, as well as friends. Time is often of the essence; quick decisions and fast actions are typically required, and, in a split second, lives are changed forever.

Thus begins a journey down a very long and difficult road. Where do parents go for information? Who do they turn to for support? How will they know whats best for their child? Its imperative that these families have resources available to them to assist them in making the critical decisions that they now face.

Thankfully, there are a number of exceptional family support and outreach programs sponsored by nonprofit organizations focusing on childrens brain tumors and brain cancer. These programs provide valuable resources for education, assistance and support. While there are many reasons for parents of children with brain tumors to connect with a support group, three of the primary reasons are discussed below.

Education

One of the first questions asked by parents of children newly diagnosed with brain tumors and brain cancer is What does this mean for my child?

Family support and outreach programs can answer this and countless other questions by providing resources for general awareness of the disease, treatment options, and even facilities equipped to provide the best treatments available. Support programs can also help families stay abreast of the latest research thats being done with regard to treatments, survivorship, and long-term effects for the survivors of this deadly disease.

Assistance

Assistance for families taking this difficult journey can come in a variety of forms. It may involve locating the right doctors and facilities to care for their child, or perhaps, working through the maze of insurance forms and red tape. Researching options for financial aid, or finding local resources for supplies or services that might be needed for the childs care and recovery are also ways in which these support groups can offer help to these families.

In addition to the assistance provided to individual families, these nonprofit organizations work tirelessly on promoting and servicing the overall mission finding better treatments for kids suffering from brain tumors and brain cancer, and improving the quality of life for survivors.

Support

Above all else, the parents and loved ones of these kids need emotional support. They need to belong to a community of people who are traveling the same, long road that they find themselves on. They need to know that they are not alone in their journey.

The emotional support that is given so freely in these family outreach programs cannot be found anywhere outside these unique groups of fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers. Who can better understand the grief a mother feels when she learns that her instincts about her childs health were right? Or the sorrow that consumes a father when he finally allows himself to cry, alone in the shower? And who better to share the joy when a family transitions to survivorship?

These family support groups offer not only support for parents and extended families, but for the patients, as well. Understanding the toll that this dreadful journey takes on all, most support groups sponsor a variety of conferences, camps, and other events throughout the year as a respite to the families. These events provide opportunities to connect with others in this unique community, while also gaining insight into educational and vocational opportunities.

Being very much aware of the needs of bereaved families, and families of survivors, as well, there are also support groups that are geared specifically to their needs. Some of these groups have mentors; parents who have stood in the same shoes, who work with families in a number of ways as they move through the difficult transitions.

Education. Assistance. Support. Connecting with the right support group is essential for parents and families facing this difficult journey. Parents, you are not alone. Help is out there, waiting for your call.

Question by wannaknowhowigotthesescars: How many people die from skin cancer yearly?
I’m doing a biology project on skin cancer, and I’m making a brochure. I’m focusing on basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma, but I just need this bit of information in general. So I just need to know how many people die of skin cancer in general, just an approximation. Thankss.

Best answer:

Answer by gangadharan_nair
Melanoma is the least common skin cancer but it is potentially the most serious: there are over 8,000 new cases each year in the UK and 1,800 deaths.
Over one million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the US yearly. About 80% are basal cell carcinoma, 16% are squamous cell carcinoma, and 4% are melanoma.
The incidence of both non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancers has been increasing over the past decades. Currently, between 2 and 3 million non-melanoma skin cancers and 132,000 melanoma skin cancers occur globally each year. One in every three cancers diagnosed is a skin cancer and, according to Skin Cancer Foundation Statistics, one in every five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.

As ozone levels are depleted, the atmosphere loses more and more of its protective filter function and more solar UV radiation reaches the Earth’s surface. It is estimated that a 10 per cent decrease in ozone levels will result in an additional 300,000 non-melanoma and 4,500 melanoma skin cancer cases. The global incidence of melanoma continues to increase – however, the main factors that predispose to the development of melanoma seem to be connected with recreational exposure to the sun and a history of sunburn. These factors lie within each individual’s own responsibility.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

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