“I just found out yesterday that I have brain cancer. I spent over an hour at the doctor’s office and cannot remember anything he told be about my prognosis and the treatment. I’m so scared and I don’t know how to tell my children or my family. I feel like I’m going crazy. … Is this normal?”
Calls such as this one are placed to the AMC Cancer Center’s Cancer Information and Counseling Line several times a day by people seeking help and support with a variety of cancer-related concerns.
There are an estimated 10 million cancer survivors in the United States. Cancer patients and their families face many challenges, from coping with the initial diagnosis to making decisions about treatments. They may struggle with treatment side effects, communication issues with loved ones and health care providers, and practical concerns like child care and financial hardships.
The Cancer Information and Counseling Line, also called CICL, is a nonprofit, toll-free service. It has been providing emotional support, specialized counseling and cancer information to thousands of people across the country for nearly 25 years....