The Effect of Education and Stress Reduction Programs on Feelings of Control and Positive Lifestyle Changes in Cancer Patients and Survivors

Abstract

On a biological level, cancer is defined as a disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body (American Cancer Society 2012). The psychological impact of living through a cancer diagnosis can be just as profound as the biological cancer growth and the physical changes it may create in an individual. Survival is just as much an emotional task as it is a physical one. Fear, uncertainty and helplessness are all emotions that can occur before, during and even after treatment and can cause a person to feel they have lost control over their daily lives and their future. This paper suggests that community programs can be effective in helping individuals affected by cancer regain their sense of control over their lives by
encouraging positive lifestyle changes through a strong focus on education and stress reduction.