How the Treatment of Cancer Side Effects Has Evolved Over the Past 2 Decades

After treatment has ended — even many years later — a cancer survivor may experience a side effect called neuropathy. Neuropathy is a condition that causes pain, numbness and tingling in the hands and feet. One cancer survivor even described it as “constant pins and needles.”

In this summer issue of Heal®, our cover story dives deeper into what neuropathy is and why it happens. We hear from two cancer survivors who have adjusted their everyday life to deal with the pain from neuropathy. As of now, there isn’t one definite relief or resolution for neurotherapy; there are medications, but they cause more side effects. And therapy can help for a bit, but as one survivor put it, “No one size fits all.”

However, one expert gives insight into a new therapy that is being evaluated to help ease the pain — scrambler therapy, which uses electrical stimulation to “scramble” the pain signals being sent from the nerves to the brain.

Reflecting on CURE®’s 20th anniversary, in this issue of Heal® we hear from Gwen Goodman, a cancer survivor of 20 years. When she first completed treatment, there was no plan for survivorship, and no one prepared her for the side effects she would later face. She and an expert discuss the improvements made in cancer survivorship over the past two decades — and what is still lacking.

Cancer survivors also may face anxiety and stress when treatment ends, however mindfulness meditation may help. We talk with clinical health psychologist Erin O’Carroll Bantum about the benefits of mindfulness meditation for cancer survivors. We also provide readers with a step-by-step guide on how to start practicing mindfulness meditation.

And lastly, let’s get ready for a hot summer with some cool recipes! Fruits and vegetables provide cancer survivors with tons of nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants and summer is the perfect time to start incorporating more into your meals. In this issue, you’ll find three delicious recipes waiting for you.

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