ALK Support
What are my support options?
Select play to hear Delyth Mcentee, a Lung Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist, talk to Debra Montague, Chair of ALK Positive UK, about the emotional and mental support available for patients, how healthcare professionals can help patients with anxiety and depression, and the support that helped Debra upon diagnosis.
This video references depression. It is very natural to experience low mood or feelings of sadness or loss after a cancer diagnosis. However, if you feel persistently sad for weeks of months, or experience symptoms including lasting feelings of hopelessness or losing interest in the things you used to enjoy, you may be experiencing depression. It is very important to talk to your clinical nurse specialist, GP or oncology team about how you are feeling. You can read more about cancer and depression here: Depression and cancer | Coping with cancer | Cancer Research UK
Can I still work?
Can I still work?
Select play to hear Duncan’s experience of continuing to work after being diagnosed with ALK-positive lung cancer.
How should I talk to my children about ALK?
We have joined with the Ruth Strauss Foundation’s Family Support Team to answer your most frequently asked questions about how to talk to children about your ALK+ diagnosis.
Q&A with the Ruth Strauss Foundation
At the Ruth Strauss Foundation, we understand you might be worried or unsure about telling your children you have cancer. You may feel overwhelmed, shocked or fearful, and instinctively want to protect them from feeling the same way.
Children and young people say they want to know about their parents’ health and what changes this may bring for them. Young people tell us that they want to be included in discussions and decision making and be given practical help. When children are prepared and informed about their parent’s cancer, it increases their resilience and means they can get the support they need.
If you would like advice, guidance and support to talk to your child(ren) about your diagnosis please get in touch with the Family Support Team via:
https://ruthstraussfoundation.com/info-and-support/support/
There are free resources available which can aid these conversations: https://ruthstraussfoundation.com/resources-for-families/
Can I exercise?
For many people with cancer, exercise is not only safe but can be beneficial. It is always a good idea to talk to your oncology team about your plans for exercise if you are unsure.
Cancer Research offers some information on exercising with cancer: Exercise guidelines for cancer patients | Cancer Research UK | Coping physically
What other support is available?
You may have many more questions about living with ALK-positive lung cancer. Below are some of the questions you might have, and the places you can go to for advice. Further support is also available via the ALK Positive UK charity.