What is Cancer: Thriving and Surviving?

Cancer: Thriving and Surviving

• Cancer: Thriving and Surviving (the Cancer Self-Management Program) is a 6-week workshop.
• It teaches real-life skills for living a full, healthy life for people affected by cancer.
• Classes are fun and interactive. Participants share their successes and build a common source of support.
• The workshop builds confidence around managing health, staying active, and enjoying life.

Some counties are now offering:

• Living Well with Chronic Conditions Self-Management Program - a chronic disease self-management workshop that is open to anyone with a physical or mental health condition.
• Take Charge of Your Diabetes Self-Management Program - a chronic disease self-management program that specifically targets people with diabetes and their needs.

Leaders:

• Two trained leaders at each location.  At least one of them has been affected by cancer.

Cost:

• Free, but some sites may charge a small fee to cover the cost of the course materials, which includes a book and a CD.

What You Will Learn:

• Resources, skills, and action planning to give you a sense of greater control over life with cancer.

Who Attends:

• People with cancer, survivors, family, friends or caregivers.

Program Length:

• A 6-week program that meets 2 to 2½ hours each week.

Topics Covered:

• Managing symptoms, such as pain, frustration, isolation and poor sleep
• Fatigue management and getting help
• Living with uncertainty
• Future plans for health care
• Cancer and changes to your body
• Making decisions about treatments and complementary therapies
• Cancer and relationships
• Working with your health care team
• Setting weekly goals
• Effective problem solving
• Set priorities
• Making better nutrition and exercise choices

Description of Workshops

• The Cancer: Thriving and Surviving (CTS) workshop was adapted from the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program developed by Stanford University and has been tested for effectiveness.
• For more information, please go to the Self-Management Resource Center website at https://www.selfmanagementresource.com/programs/small-group/cancer-thriving-and-surviving/.

Interested?

• Find a workshop near you by calling your local health department or visit the state website at https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/health/health-program-areas/localdepartments.html for contact information. 

See more at https://tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/fhw/cd/cdsm.html.