St. Dominic Hospital

Ask Bill has a master's degree in counseling psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi and has been a licensed professional counselor since 1987. He has 23 years of individual and relational counseling experience and was formerly an adjunct instructor in counseling psychology at Mississippi College. He has been a reserve deputy for 12 years with the Madison County Sheriff's Office and is a ruling elder at Grace Chapel Evangelical Presbyterian Church. He adores his wife of 33 years and their two grown children. CANCER IS THE WORD WE NEVER WANT TO HEAR COME OUT OF A DOCTOR'S MOUTH. MANY OF US VIEW CANCER AS A DEATH SENTENCE, COMPLETE WITH PAIN AND MISERY. HOWEVER, LET'S LOOK AT THINGS A BIT MORE POSITIVELY. CANCER AND DEPRESSION People with cancer are now living longer with a life-threatening but not necessarily terminal illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Cancer Society, the number of cancer survivors in the United States has increased from 3 million in 1971 to more than 15.5 million in 2016. "Cancer has been converted from a terminal disease to a chronic disease," said David Spiegel, MD, a world-renowned leader in mind-body medicine and associate chair in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University's School of Medicine. "Consequently, factors that affect survival are becoming increasingly important." One factor that affects survival time and quality of life for cancer patients is depression. Many studies identify depression as playing a harmful role in the progression of the cancer. Reducing symptoms of depression is vital for prolonging cancer survival and improving quality of life for cancer patients and their families. Most cancer patients experience a relatively brief emotional response to the presence of the disease. Sadness, grief, denial, anxiety, sleep and appetite disturbances, and despair may last from days to weeks. About 15 to 25 percent of cancer patients suffer significant depression symptoms that last much longer and may affect survival. According to the National Cancer Institute, successfully living with cancer includes 1) maintaining an active involvement in daily life, 2) minimizing disruptions caused by the illness to one's life roles (spouse, parent, employee, etc.), 3) regulating normal emotional reactions to the illness, and 4) managing feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, worthlessness and guilt. How do patients get good at these things? Research shows that support groups, expressive therapy and group therapy are very helpful. Developing and maintaining spirituality helps fight depression. Positive self-statements, relaxation training, exercise and routine social contact reduce the effects of depression on quality of life and increase survival time of cancer patients. A cancer diagnosis can be a powerful emotional and physical blow. Ultimately, it is up to the patient to decide to adjust and live each day to the fullest, doing what must be done to avoid depression and negative attitudes. As Dr. Spiegel said, "It is not simply mind over matter, but mind matters." 14 s t d o m . c o m LOCAL

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