Cancer Prevention Tips for Childhood Cancer Survivors

Melanie Gaffney is a proud childhood cancer survivor, and a contributor to the Focus On Cancer blog. Today she is cancer-free, but lives with the after effects of her cancer treatments. 

It is no secret that once you survive cancer, your chances increase for future health problems. Depending on the type and location of the cancer you survived and how it was treated,  you may be at an increased risk for getting cancer again.

Childhood cancer survivors are a little bit different from adults and have a unique set of factors that may increase their risk. Children with cancer are treated during an important time, when they are developing both physically and mentally.

Because of this, they may have long term health effects. These effects may not show up until weeks, months or many years after treatment and are called late effects.

After going through cancer and enduring the treatments, many survivors are reluctant to continue to receive follow-up care, often because they are scared about finding additional health problems. They may even feel that they have experienced enough illness and don’t want to see doctors anymore - getting tests and diagnoses can bring up many feelings of the past. Survivors of childhood cancer (and anyone for that matter) can minimize the severity of late effects and reduce their risk for recurrent cancers and other diseases by following these tips:

• Don't smoke or chew tobacco and avoid secondhand smoke.
• Protect skin from sun exposure.
• Limit alcohol consumption.
• Avoid illegal drug use.
• Eat a healthy diet low in fat and high in fiber.
• Exercise regularly.
• Get recommended vaccinations, such as a flu shot.

As well as preventive methods, cancer survivors need a to take responsibility of their health. They must be proactive in their healthcare, take the time to read and research their specific risks and find a great doctor or team to manage their care. It’s important for cancer survivors to keep their appointments and share all of their concerns, aches and pains and issues they may be experiencing.

Here are some important things to remember as a cancer survivor:

• Education about potential late effects for your specific diagnosis and treatment
• Screening for and monitoring of late effects
• Referrals to doctors who specialize in areas of the body affected by late effects
• Help with treatment-related school and work difficulties
• Support for emotional issues of survivors, post-traumatic stress syndrome can sneak up years later.
• Assistance with health insurance and financial issues

It’s important to remember that each one of us are our own are biggest healthcare advocates. Cancer survivor or not, it’s crucial to fight for our right to good health and healthcare.

After all, a cancer survivor has already fought once; this is nothing in comparison.

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I Survived Cancer, Now I Want a Family!

Melanie Gaffney is a proud childhood cancer survivor, and a contributor to the Focus On Cancer blog. Today she is cancer-free, but lives with the after effects of her cancer treatments.

Before I ever pictured myself in the “what-do-you-want-to-be-when-you-grow-up” role, being a mom always foreshadowed any career or profession. I had a vivid concept/vision in my head about motherhood: the mother I would try to be, the hugs and kisses I would smother a child with, life lessons I would teach, even the sex --  I always envisioned boy and girl twins.

This was even after I was told that a baby, especially “babies,” might not be possible. I had come to terms with knowing that I might not be able to conceive, carry or deliver because of my cancer treatments and health limitations. I knew if I couldn’t conceive, I would adopt. I realized this about the age of 13. I know it sounds young, but I think when forced to battle for your life at a young age, your outlook and decisions about life tend to mature quickly.

During my treatments I received radiation directly to my pelvic area and my left ovary was in the direct line of radiation. It could not be protected, but someone, even back in 1982 during the early stages of this research, had the foresight to shield my right ovary.

Now I have my dream: a 5-year-old boy and 1-year-old little girl. Pregnancy was hard on my body and I was under constant supervision from my multidisciplinary, high-risk pregnancy team at Penn. But I have bounced back. I wouldn’t change a thing. I thank the incredible medical team I have and I thank myself, the sheer will to achieve and fight for what you want can be surprisingly strong.

I am a Cancer Survivor and I got more than I ever thought I would, my family!

Advances in childhood cancer treatment have significantly improved a patient’s chance of survival, which results in a large number of adult childhood cancer survivors who are hoping for the same life they would have if they had never had cancer. 

One big concern is about the effects of treatment on reproductive possibilities. For myself and many other women, there are indications that both radiation and chemotherapy may affect how well the ovaries function (if you are left with just one) and the health of the uterus. All of these can lead to infertility, negative pregnancy outcomes and entering menopause at an earlier age.

We are very thankful for surviving and the chance to live our lives, but we also want to experience life, not just survive it. Having children plays an incredibly important role in the lives of many people.  Along with advances in cancer treatments over the years, the advancement of preserving fertility has grown as well.

The Cancer Survivorship Program at CHOP’s Cancer Center is working with Fertile Hope, an organization dedicated to addressing fertility concerns for cancer survivors, and they have developed ways to help preserve a woman’s fertility.

Penn Fertility Care at Penn Medicine is a leader in helping adult survivors of childhood cancer realize their dreams of parenthood. The physicians are working with patients who were not able to take advantage of the fertility services during that small window, before their cancer treatment begins. These physicians are doing what they can to help these women realize their dreams of a family.

Learn more about Penn Fertility Care at Penn Medicine.

Learn more about the Living Well After Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program at the Abramson Cancer Center.

In addition to being a mom and a wife, Melanie operates a small marketing and graphic design boutique called Melanie Gaffney. Read more about Melanie here.

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I Wish You Knew I Had Cancer Too

Melanie Gaffney is a proud childhood cancer survivor, and a contributor to the Focus On Cancer blog. Today she is cancer-free, but lives with the after effects of her cancer treatments.

I’ve been cancer free for many years. Although the cancer has physically been removed from my body, it really never leaves my life. I think about it every single day, usually more than once, and have done so for as long as I can remember.

If you read about me on the Focus On Cancer blog, you know I am a stage IV childhood cancer survivor who is now living with the long-term effects of my cancer and treatments. 

Because of this, I have many appointments at Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center throughout the year. As soon as I pull into the parking garage at the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, when most people feel anxious or scared, I have an eerie sense of calm come over me. Once on the elevator, without fail, I see a fellow cancer survivor – someone fighting his or her battle now. The people in the midst of their fight are easier to recognize, but I have a pretty good eye for survivors too. Maybe we are part of a gang now and are in tune to each other.

Before getting to my floor I have to go by two other cancer floors. The first is radiation oncology. Someone inevitably gets on the elevator looking tired and weak; maybe baring a bald head or perhaps covering it. It’s the first time in my visit that day that I want to reach out, touch their shoulder and say: “I know it’s hard and it hurts, but it’s worth it, it will get better. I had cancer, too”.

Then I go by the first oncology floor. There, I usually see someone that has just been diagnosed. He or she has that, “deer in headlights” look, sitting with a loved one trying to comfort them, but looking just as scared. I want to reach out to them, tell them: “Please ask me anything, I had cancer, too.”

I get to my floor, I check in, sit down and try to read or work. But I am easily distracted. Looking around I see fear, pain, boredom, laughter and love. As I meet the eyes of these other cancer warriors, we give each other a small nod and smile with our eyes. An indication of comfort and understanding, but I feel all the emotion in the room as if it were all mine. It’s incredibly overwhelming. I run through the overload of emotions in my head, and there is always one that is at the forefront: 

I feel guilt. I don’t look sick. I don’t look unhealthy. I have long curly hair. I look like the person who is waiting for someone that has an oncology appointment, not the patient. I have this huge sense of guilt for winning my battle with cancer and its aftermath so far, while most of the people I sit with are still fighting.

I wish I could say aloud, “I had cancer, too.” Then they could know that I do understand. They don’t have to feel uncomfortable in front of me, or think I am staring at them because they are bald. I wish they knew I’m admiring their strength and silently hoping that by seeing me, they can know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I want to tell them it won’t always be like this, you’ll never really get to run away from your diagnosis all together, but it’s possible to have a full, happy life as well.

I truly feel an emotional bond to everyone I meet that is going through cancer treatment or is a survivor. I wish I could help everyone I meet, talk and share our experiences, and grow as a person from sharing my story and learning about others.

It’s a very scary disease that affects us all in different ways, but there is always a positive way to look at something. We aren’t defined by our illness, but it does become a part of who we are.

In addition to being a mom and a wife, Melanie operates a small marketing and graphic design boutique called Melanie Gaffney and also founded Mason’s Mission to raise awareness and funds for Chiari malformation research, a neurological disorder that affects her son. Read more about Melanie here.

Watch for Melanie’s blogs here, and connect with Melanie on Twitter.

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What Happens After You Survive Childhood Cancer?

Melanie Gaffney is a proud childhood cancer survivor, and a contributor to the Focus On Cancer blog.

Today she is cancer-free, but lives with the after effects of her cancer treatments. In addition to being a mom and a wife, she operates a small marketing and graphic design boutique called Melanie Gaffney and also founded Mason’s Mission to raise awareness and funds for Chiari malformation research, a neurological disorder that affects her son. Read more about Melanie here.

Watch for Melanie’s blogs here, and connect with Melanie on Twitter.

For survivors of childhood cancer, the great news is that you survived cancer. But is that the end? Is it really over? Can you stop focusing on your health all the time?

Depending on the type of cancer and the treatments you received, probably not.
There are about 350,000 childhood cancer survivors in the United States. As survivors age, they can experience late effects and long-term medical complications as a result of the treatments that saved their lives.

Today, because of advances in treatment, about 80 percent of children treated for cancer survive five years or more. But the treatments that saved your lives can also cause health problems that may not show up until years later.

In fact, 30 years out, survivors are at more risk of dying from treatment-related illness than from cancer recurrence . Because childhood cancer survivors are living longer, their long-term health and these late effects are issues for most of their lives. Childhood cancer survivors’ aftercare and watchfulness for late effects must be as specialized as the cancer treatments they received as children. Late effects may involve more than one part of the body and range from mild to severe.

The main factors that contribute to possible late side effects include the types of treatment you received, the drugs used in chemotherapy, and the amount and location of radiation and surgeries.

This is why it’s important to find a great primary care physician and a multidisciplinary survivorship program.

Below are some of the effects childhood cancer survivors may experience:

• Bone density issues
• Thyroid problems
• Hearing loss
• Vision problems
• Dental problems
• Lung, liver or kidney problems
• Heart problems
• Fertility issues
• Second cancers
• Emotional issues
• Neurological issues

My Own Survivorship Journey
I didn’t realize I needed a survivorship program until my mid-twenties. I knew I had some physical limitations as a result of my childhood cancer, but I considered them to be minor. I was invincible! I truly believed that since I had beaten cancer, nothing else would ever happen to me. In some sense I felt I had paid my dues and could live like everyone else. This made sense to me as a teenager and sadly even into young adulthood. I ignored any and all signs that my body was telling me that I was, in fact, not invincible.

I was told that fertility and carrying a child may be an issue. Although I am sure other late side effects were probably mentioned when I was younger, these were the only two that I noted. So when I did get pregnant, to say I was totally shocked is an understatement. After the bliss and excitement of finding out I would have a baby came the rush of fear. My cancer came back to haunt me. The moment I remembered I wasn’t like everyone else was when I called my oncologist when most women are calling their obstetrician.

I was referred to the Living Well After Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program at the Abramson Cancer Center. After many tests, pokes and exams I received my first diagnosis of my late-term cancer treatment effects; heart disease (cardiomyopathy) due to chemotherapy, restrictive lung disease due to radiation therapy and an increased risk of breast cancer because of the amount and location of the radiation.

Like many survivors, I also faced some emotional issues like anxiety and dealing with the uncertainty that many cancer survivors deal with - the thought that my cancer may come back.
My life changed when I received my test results. Today, I try to spread knowledge and reach out to childhood cancer survivors about these late side effects. While fundraising for a cure and treatment is important, (without it there wouldn’t be survivors), there also has to be awareness and research to help support those survivors.

I am so excited to be attending the Stupid Cancer Boot Camp in Philadelphia on November. I can’t wait to listen to the speakers, learn more about survivorship and hopefully meet and share stories with other childhood cancer survivors.

The Abramson Cancer Center is part of the LIVESTRONG™ Survivorship Center of Excellence Network, a group of eight Comprehensive Cancer Centers that have been chosen to lead the effort across the country in clinical care and research with cancer survivors of all ages.

Learn more about the Living Well After Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program.

Learn about managing cancer treatment side effects.

Learn more about long-term follow-up guidelines for childhood cancer survivors.

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Meet Patient Blogger Melanie Gaffney

Melanie Gaffney is a proud childhood cancer survivor, and a new contributor to the Focus On Cancer blog.

In 1982 at the age of 5, she was diagnosed at with stage IV Wilm’s tumor, a childhood kidney cancer that had metastasized to her lungs and heart. Melanie’s treatments included the removal of her left kidney, extensive radiation from collarbone to hip and two years of chemotherapy treatments.

Due to chemotherapy and the locations of radiation therapy, she was told she might not be able to have children. Never one to take no for an answer, she tried anyway, and when she became pregnant with her first child, she found herself thrilled - and scared.

Melanie quickly learned she was living with the after effects of her cancer treatments. Today, she lives with cardiomyopathy and restrictive lung disease from her childhood cancer treatments. Because of her health and only having one kidney, both of her pregnancies were considered high risk.

But every day that she looks into her children’s eyes she knows it was all worth it.

Melanie doesn’t let cancer define her. In addition to being a mom and a wife, she is a work at home mom. In Melanie’s spare time she enjoys photography and taking photos of her family and friends.

Watch for Melanie’s blogs here, and connect with Melanie on Twitter.

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