Cancer Survivor Turned Social Work Professor Dr. Bradley Zebrack

Dr. Brad Zebrack is not only an incredible social worker who specializes in oncology but he is survivor himself. Brad was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, at the age of 25, back in 1989.  We spend some time on the term "survivor" - 40 years ago it referred to the family members left behind when someone died of cancer.  Now, a survivor is anyone who is still alive, starting from the moment of diagnosis.  But it's important to remember that every journey is different, and terms like this can mean different things to different people.For some patients, they embrace "the new normal."  For others, they prefer to put their cancer journey "away in a little box" and not think about it, following treatment.  The important thing is that attitudes in oncology have changed.  The time after initial treatment is being looked at more carefully.Positive attitude is a term that is also frequently misinterpreted.  While a good mindset has shown to have physical benefits, it doesn't necessarily mean being happy every day.  Brad explains that it's more about being OK with where you are each day.We break down Julia Rowland's "5 D's of cancer" - distance, disfigurement, disability, dependence, and death.  Depending on a patient's age and where they are in life, each of these "5 D's" can factor into mindset differently.Finally, we talk about the importance, specifically, of mental health care.  It's more widely discussed nowadays, and it's a vital part of care, both during and after cancer treatment.Connect with Brad's teams on Twitter:University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center: https://twitter.com/umrogelcancerUniversity of Michigan School of Social Work: https://twitter.com/umsocialworkLink to Handbook of Psychooncology, by Jimmie C. Holland and Julia H. Rowland (containing the chapter on "The 5 D's" of cancer mentioned today): https://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Psychooncology-Psychological-Patient-Cancer/dp/019504308Other Resources:National Bone Marrow Transplant Link - (800) LINK-BMT, or (800) 546-5268.nbmtLINK Website: https://www.nbmtlink.org/nbmtLINK Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/nbmtLINKnbmtLINK YouTube Page can be found by clicking here.Thank you to our sponsors. This season is supported by a healthcare contribution from Sanofi  and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.https://www.sanofi.com/https://www.lls.org/patient-support National Bone Marrow Transplant Link - (800) LINK-BMT, or (800) 546-5268.nbmtLINK Website: https://www.nbmtlink.org/Check out our valued nbmtLINK resource books, some for sale, some free as downloadable, https://www.nbmtlink.org/shop/nbmtLINK Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/nbmtLINKFollow the nbmtLINK on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/nbmtlink/The nbmtLINK YouTube Page can be found by clicking here.This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  It is crucial to consult directly with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical conditions, treatment options, or other health concerns.The views and opinions expressed by the speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the nbmtLINK.  Unless otherwise stated in an official policy, the nbmtLINK does not endorse any specific treatments, products, or services mentioned by the speakers. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk.The Marrow Masters Podcast is produced by JAG Podcast Productions: https://jagpodcastproductions.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.