Cancer affects individuals, families, and communities.  According to the National Cancer Institute, in 2020, an estimated 1,806,590 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in the United States and approximately 39.5% of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer at some point during their lifetimes.  

The American Cancer Society conducted an 8 year study published in 2013 and found that on average cancer caregivers spent about 8 hours per day providing care. They also stated that caregivers need a strong support system, explaining that having a system of support helps to weather the storms common with cancer, like a loved one’s recurrence of cancer or death from cancer. 

In this Psychology of Aging podcast episode, Ronni Levine, LMFT, facilitator of cancer caregiving support groups and cancer bereavement groups for the Cancer Foundation for New Mexico, discusses the benefits of cancer caregiver support and shares tips for getting your strong system of support in place. 

Here's a peek into my interview with Ronni Levine:

• [06:43] The rollercoaster of living with cancer and cancer caregiving
• [09:42] How has the COVID pandemic impacted cancer caregivers?
• [13:34] What happens when you first get a cancer diagnosis?
• [20:22] Do you know someone constantly in the caregiving role? Learn more about this phenomenon of serial caregiving
• [21:56] What are the benefits of cancer support groups?
• [27:08] What are cancer bereavement support groups? 
• [29:16] On the fence about joining a cancer caregiving support group? Learn what participating in a cancer caregiver or bereavement group is actually like. 
• [32:54] What is participating in a cancer caregiving support group actually like? 
• [36:18] How has grief and bereavement during COVID been different for cancer caregivers? 
• [40:35] How to find a cancer caregiver support group near you? 

Click here to visit the show notes page to learn more.
Click here to listen to the podcast

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DISCLAIMER: The material on this site is for informational and educational purposes only. Any comments Dr. Koepp may make on the TV Show, blog, or in response to an individual’s story or comments should not be construed as establishing a psychologist-patient relations

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