We provide in-home care for Michigan residents with cancer. It is important for caregivers to have a basic understanding of the cancer process, treatment, and symptom management. The specific treatment plan prescribed for a person with cancer will depend primarily on the type of cancer and the stage of the disease. Other considerations include the individual’s age and general health. Many times the goal of treatment is to cure the cancer. Sometimes however, the goal of treatment is to stop the growth of the cancer and reduce the symptoms associated with the cancer.

Help for Michigan Cancer Patients

A diagnosis of cancer can be very frightening. Many experience pain with cancer. Cancer victims may experience a variety of challenging side effects from the treatment prescribed for their cancer. When providing care for someone living with cancer it is important to be empathetic, patient, and supportive as they work with their physician to manage the pain and side effects. It is also important to allow them to talk about their feelings.

The term cancer is used to describe diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and invade healthy tissue in the body. Cancer cells can even spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are more than 100 types of cancer, but most of these are grouped into five main categories:

• Carcinoma – cancer that begins in the skin or in the tissues that line or cover internal organs.
• Sarcoma – cancer that begins in bone, muscle, fat, cartilage, blood vessels, or other connective/supportive tissue.
• Leukemia – cancer that begins in tissues that form blood cells (such as the bone marrow) and cause abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood stream.
• Lymphoma and Myeloma – cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system.
• Central Nervous System cancers – cancers that begin in the cells of the brain and spinal cord.

For additional information about any specific form of cancer you may want to visit the National Cancer Institute’s website at www.cancer.gov.