Q&A: Caregiver Bill of Rights

Every Sunday, Cancer Services publishes a Cancer Q&A in the Health Section of The Baton Rouge Advocate.

Q: My sister has been diagnosed with cancer and I am her sole caregiver. I find myself being short with her and other people more and more and then I feel guilty about it. Is this normal?

A: It is normal for caregivers to experience feelings of guilt, fatigue, and irritation. It is important for caregivers to pay attention to their own feelings and needs. The National Cancer Institute suggests referring to the following while caring for a loved one.

Caregiver's Bill of Rights:

• I have the right to take care of myself. This is not an act of selfishness. It will give me the ability to take better care of my loved one.
• I have the right to seek help from others even though my loved one may object. I know the limits of my own endurance and strength.
• I have the right to maintain parts of my own life that do not include the person I care for, just as I would if he were healthy. I know that I do everything that I reasonably can do for this person. I have the right to do some things just for myself.
• I have the right to get angry, be depressed, and express difficult feelings once in a while.
• I have the right to reject any attempt by my loved one to make me do things out of guilt or anger, (It doesn't matter if she knows that she is doing it or not).
• I have the right to get consideration, affection, forgiveness, and acceptance for what I do for my loved one, as I offer these in return.
• I have the right to take pride in what I'm doing. And I have the right to applaud the courage it has taken to meet the needs of my loved one.
• I have the right to protect my individuality. I also have the right to a life that will sustain me in times when my loved one no longer needs my full-time help.

The Caregiver Support Group at Cancer Services meets the second Friday of every month at noon. Anyone caring for a loved one, no matter the ailment, is encouraged to attend to help better take care of themselves. Call Natalie at 225-927-2273 if you’d like more information.

For more information contact Courtney Britton, librarian at Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge at (225) 927-2273 or visit the Resource Center at 550 Lobdell Avenue.

Q&A: Cervical Cancer

Every Sunday, Cancer Services publishes a Cancer Q&A in the Health Section of The Baton Rouge Advocate.

Q: January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. What is cervical cancer and how do I get screened for it?

A: The cervix is the opening between the vagina and the uterus. Abnormal cell growth which spreads below the surface of the cervix, or to other tissues or organs, is called cervical cancer. This differs from carcinomas found on the surface of the cervix. Surface carcinomas and other cervical lesions are, however, often precursors to cervical cancer. Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a virus that is passed on through sexual contact. Most women with HPV do not develop cervical cancer, but smoking, being HIV-positive, and having multiple sexual partners can increase your risk.

Pelvic exams and pap smears can detect surface changes caused by HPV before cervical cancer develops. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ guidelines say that women over 21 should be screened every two years. For women over 30 who have had three normal pap smears in a row, the guidelines suggest having a pap smear every three years. If your immune system is compromised due to HIV, long-term steroid use or an organ transplant, your doctor might suggest earlier or more frequent pap smears. The outlook for women whose cervical cancer is at a very early stage is excellent; therefore it is important for women to have regular pap smears.

For more information, contact Courtney Britton, librarian at Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge, at (225) 927-2273 or visit the Resource Center at 550 Lobdell Avenue.