The content within this article is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider regarding your medical condition or treatment.
According to the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF), two in five Australians will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 85. This staggering statistic is met with a need to improve the understanding of people with cancer’s needs. Especially the unexpected tolls it takes on the everyday.
Fight With Care
La Roche-Posay launched their Fight With Care initiative in 2023. The campaign aims to support adjunctive skin care programs to help protect against common skin side effects. Caring for your skin may help to continue treatment.
Fight with Care aims to ensure that anyone living with cancer doesn’t feel alone by driving an increase in support, training, knowledge and awareness. The primary focus of the initiative is on harnessing the power of supportive care.
Studies have found that supportive care plays a significant role in treatment management for those experiencing cancer. Another aspect that has been found to be beneficial is the healing power of touch. Holding your loved ones close can make a world of difference to your heart and brain, with feel-good chemicals such as serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin being released with touch.
Skin Side Effects
80 per cent of people living with cancer suffer from harsh skin side-effects as a direct result of treatment 1.The side effects can be so harsh that many people need to slow down or even stop their treatment so as to rest their skin.
While some side effects are from the cancer itself, others can present themselves from the treatment.
Dry Skin
Much like caring for dry skin at any stage, keeping skin moisturised during cancer treatment is especially key. But be sure to find hydrating products that offer long-lasting benefits, without any alcohol additives. Apply them whenever needed, but especially after a shower. And always protect skin from harsh weather conditions.
Understanding And Togetherness
The most important thing for people living with cancer is a solid support network. Understandably, support is going to look different for every relationship, but support can be given through small acts, such as delivering food and helping with household chores. Even just being available as a source of support will help those affected to not feel isolated or alone.
A study revealed that 80 per cent of people dealing with cancer confirmed that supportive care aided in managing their disease 2. If you’re looking to learn to be a source of reassurance for a loved one or friend who is experiencing cancer and treatment, La Roche-Posay offers an online module to guide people living with cancer and their care givers on supportive care. Although it may be hard to place yourself in their shoes, being a source of comfort, care, and understanding will go a long way.
1Charles C., et al. March 2013. Impact of cutaneous toxicity associated with targeted therapies on quality of life.
2Buiret, G., et al. (2022). Prevalence of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and access to supportive care in cancer in Brazil, China, France, Russia and the USA. European Journal of Cancer Care, e13636
At La Roche-Posay, we know skin is a matter of life. While skin issues can affect our lives in more ways than one, making a difference to the skin can open the door for one person, one skin problem, one life at a time.
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