The National Cancer Institute’s Brain Tumor Home Page provides information about cancerous brain tumors; brain tumor prevention, causes, and genetics; treatment options for brain tumors, including clinical trials; and statistics, research, and news about brain tumors.

The Oncology Channel’s page on Brain Cancer gives an organized overview of the two kinds of brain tumors (”primary brain tumors that originate in the brain and metastatic (secondary) brain tumors that originate from cancer cells that have migrated from other parts of the body”) as well as diagnosis information, treatment options, tips on how to talk to your doctor, and even a brain cancer forum.

The National Brain Tumor Society (which is a merging of the Brain Tumor Society and the National Brain Tumor Foundation) aims to “[support] patients and families through [their] services and funding brain tumor research.”

The Musella Foundation for Brain Tumor Research and Information is “dedicated to improving the quality of life and survival times for brain tumor patients by using computer technology to streamline the flow of information, organize the brain tumor community and raise money for brain tumor research,” and provides a ton of brain tumor information like brain tumor symptoms, treatments, and news as well as stories from survivors.

The Brad Kaminsky Foundation for Brain Tumor Research aims to “raise awareness of brain tumors and raise funds for research so that effective treatments and ultimately, A CURE, may be found,” while also “providing support and resources to those affected by this horrible disease.”

Want more information about cancer? The official Stand Up To Cancer website offers a ton of cancer resources and advocacy information for your perusal. Plus, b5media Health & Wellness bloggers have anted up their own goods. Check out:

• Marijke Durning’s 10 Best Cancer Pain Posts: Stand Up To Cancer and Cancer and Pregnancy: You Are Not Alone.
• Angela White’s The Breast Cancer 3-Day 60-Mile Walk.
• Ruth Schaffer’s Black Raspberries Prevent Cancer By Restoring Gene Alteration.
• Kendra James’s Diabetes and Pancreatic Cancer – A Link or Just a Strong Coincidence? and Short Fact about Lung Cancer and Heart Disease.
• Scott Wharton’s Cancer Awareness…How Aware Are You?
• Kristen King’s Round-Up of Lively Women Posts on Cancer and Weighting Line Posts About Cancer (Kristen’s being a peach and standing in for Hope during the weather disasters going on in the south).
• Susan Watiker’s Yoga Provides a Gentle, Helping Hand in the Fight Against Cancer

Image: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

5 Brain Cancer Resources In Honor Of Stand Up To Cancer

Last week I received a request from a Mental Health Notes reader wishing to see a post regarding smoking and mental illness – specifically, the effects of quitting smoking on people with mental illness:

Alicia, can you please make a posting about the effects of quitting smoking on people with mental illness. The challenges of it, how it can spark an episode, safe ways of quitting etc…This is a really important issue that the “regular quitters” don’t have to deal with. I have had a difficult time finding online information and support on this topic.

Always happy to oblige, I put on my detective’s cap and found the following information and resources for people with mental illness who smoke and want to quit.

General Information about Smoking and Mental Illness

One case study published by the Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique states that within a population that has a low rate of smoking, “Smoking is associated with schizophrenia, but not with mood disorders [...].” Another study, published by the same Centre, states that “patients with schizophrenia show a greater frequency of tobacco smoking than patients with mood disorders.”

Similarly, The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry has published studies regarding the relationship of mood disturbance to cigarette smoking and the association between high nicotine dependence and severe mental illness, while the American Journal of Psychiatry has published a study regarding cigarette smoking and schizophrenia and the Archives of General Psychiatry provide Major Depression and Stages of Smoking: A Longitudinal Investigation.

So, I think it’s pretty safe to say that the number of smokers soars among groups of mental health patients, and mental health patients may deal with side effects of smoking that other smokers don’t have to deal with (like interaction with medication). Couple that with the health dangers all smokers deal with, and why shouldn’t a mental health patient be interested in quitting smoking?

However, for some mental health patients, the side effects of quitting smoking may be frustrating on an entirely different level. Read on to find out why.

Why Might Quitting Smoking Be Difficult for Mental Health Patients?

According to Quit Smoking Message Not Getting Air Time In Mental Health Care, “health services are failing to provide appropriate smoking cessation strategies.” Lack of support aside, what are the side effects – if any – a mental health patient may endure as s/he tries to quit smoking?

Unfortunately, most of the information I found about mental health side effects to quitting smoking revolved around certain drugs to help people quit smoking, like Chantix. However, in addition to “an intense craving for nicotine,” in its list of nicotine withdrawal symptoms the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia includes:

• Tension
• Irritability
• Headaches
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Drowsiness and trouble sleeping
• Increased appetite and weight gain

All of which can wreak havoc on a person who’s already trying to manage the symptoms of mental illness.

Even more interesting is that the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia also states, “Withdrawal may also sometimes bring on a relapse of major depression, bipolar disorder, or substance abuse problems.”

Um, hello. That’s scary stuff.

So, how are mental health patients supposed to quit smoking and avoid relapses of mental illness symptoms?

Information about Resources to Help Mental Health Patients Quit Smoking

Naturally, you need to talk to your doctor before you start any health-related program – including one designed to help you stop smoking. Given what the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia has told us, folks with mental health issues may want to pay special attention to getting a doctor’s advice and supervision.

After talking with your doctor, you may want to check out the following resources to help you quit smoking:

• The American Cancer Society’s Guide to Quitting Smoking
• The American Lung Association’s plethora of information about quitting smoking
• The Tobacco Control Research Branch of the National Cancer Institute’s Web site Smokefree.gov
• Nicotine Anonymous

Do you have experience trying to quit smoking with a mental illness? Feel free to share your story in the comments!

Image: morgueFile

Post from: Blisstree

What Are The Mental Health Side Effects Of Quitting Smoking?

Rather than try to choose just one topic pertaining to cancer and mental health – or going the obvious route of “How Cancer Affects Your Mental Health,” which would, I think, lead to quite a generic post as the topic is so vast – I thought it’d be more beneficial to point out several different resources that deal with cancer and mental health.

After all, cancer can strike anyone at anytime, regardless of age, gender, or race.

Children and Cancer: If you have a child with cancer, you may want to check out the National Cancer Institutes’s Young People With Cancer: A Handbook For Parents. Not only does this handbook explain physical aspects of cancer such as treatment options, side effects, and other health problems that may arise, but it also helps you explain cancer to your child as well as what to expect when the cancer isn’t curable.

And, when you have a child with cancer you’ll undoubtedly want to share stories with other parents so that everyone can learn from one another and no one will feel as if s/he is alone. One such story is that of Jennifer Phelan and how she dealt with her seven-year-old daughter’s cancer diagnosis and eventual death: When A Child Is Dying. I think it’s a beneficial read for all parents of children with cancer, terminal or not.

Other great resources for information about children’s cancer and how to help your child understand and deal with cancer, as well as continue enjoying all the fun of being a kid, include the Children’s Cancer Association, the National Children’s Cancer Society, the Children’s Cancer Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Cancer Kids.

Women and Cancer: There are a plethora of Web sites and organizations of interest for women with cancer, including the Women’s Cancer Network, the Women’s Cancer Information Center, and the Women & Cancer Magazine. Among these resources you’ll find information about cancers specific to women, current treatment options, important nutritional needs, and inspirational stories from gals just like you.

Now, I’m a big fan of Desperate Housewives, and I couldn’t pass up sharing this article I found during my research for resources related to women’s mental health and cancer: Meeting Sexuality Needs of Women With Breast Cancer. It immediately made me think of Felicity Huffman’s character, Lynette Scavo, and her struggle with her husband to find some kind of sexual balance amidst her battle with cancer. I think the information in this article/interview pertains to women who are battling any kind of cancer, and let’s face it: Being diagnosed with cancer and fighting the battle is a hard enough blow to your mental well being; discovering that you no longer feel feminine, sexy, or desirable is extra salt on the wound for some ladies.

Men and Cancer: At the risk of sounding sexist (and I may have already blown it with my thoughts on women, sexiness, and cancer), many men generally like to feel strong, in control, and as if they can handle anything and handle it preferably without the help of others. (Well, don’t they? I have a dad, I’ve been married, and I have male friends – in the words of William Miller’s mother Elaine in my favorite movie of all time, Almost Famous, “I know what’s going on.”) More importantly, many men don’t like to feel scared. It’s OK – none of us do. Being diagnosed with and facing a battle against any illness, including cancer, is a scary situation. Fear, helplessness, anger – they’re all sure to wreak havoc on your mental well being.

It’s important for men to understand that there is support and help out there, and that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with seeking it. Any cancer-specific organization can help you learn more about your specific cancer; the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute are good places to start. However, for Web sites and organizations that offer more personal support groups and online forums, try Malecare, Us TOO, and TC-Cancer.

As you can see, there are numerous resources out there for you whether you are a man or woman with cancer or the parent of a child with cancer. Educating yourself and finding support are two key ways to keep your mental health intact during trying times, and I sincerely hope any of these Web sites and organization will help get you started.

For the official list of all b5media Health & Wellness theme day posts, visit Marijke Durning’s Help My Hurt post Living with Cancer: Help My Hurt hosts this month’s Theme Day.

Image sources and credits here, here, here, and here.

Post from: Blisstree

Nurture Mental Health During The Fight Against Cancer