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Our 24/7 cancer helpline provides information and answers for people dealing with cancer. We can connect you with trained cancer information specialists who will answer questions about a cancer diagnosis and provide guidance and a compassionate ear.
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Our highly trained specialists are available 24/7 via phone and on weekdays can assist through video calls and online chat. We connect patients, caregivers, and family members with essential services and resources at every step of their cancer journey. Ask us how you can get involved and support the fight against cancer. Some of the topics we can assist with include:
For medical questions, we encourage you to review our information with your doctor.
A person who is weak, unsteady on their feet, or confused is at high risk for falling. Someone who has these problems could fall when trying to get out of bed, using the toilet, taking a bath or shower, or walking.
Your health care team can look for certain factors that could increase your risk of falling:
Your health care team may have you work with a physical or occupational therapist and home health care to find different ways to lower your risk of falling. These specialists may also teach you certain exercises or how to use equipment (wheelchair, walker, cane) that can help with daily routines (transportation, preparing meals, shopping, or grooming). Strength training and coordination exercises, along with equipment to assist you, can all help improve your safety, balance, coordination, and strength.
Managing cancer symptoms and other medical conditions may also be part of managing your balance problems and falls. Fatigue, confusion, and low blood counts are some common symptoms that occur with cancer and its treatment. These conditions may add to problems with balance and falling.
Different medications can also affect these symptoms and your risk of falling. It's important that you review both your medication list and any new symptoms with your health care team regularly so they can adjust your medicines and treat symptoms as early as possible.
The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team
Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.
Bower JE, Bak K, Berger A, et al. Screening, assessment, and management of fatigue in adult survivors of cancer: an American Society of Clinical Oncology clinical practice guideline adaptation. J Clin Oncol. 2014;32(17):1840-1850.
Campbell G, Wolfe RA, Klem ML. Risk factors for falls in adult cancer survivors: An integrative review. Rehab Nurs. 2018;43(4):201-213.
Guerard EJ, Allison MD, et al. Falls in older adults with cancer: evaluation by oncology providers. J Oncol Pract. 2015; 11(6);470-474.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network. (NCCN). Cancer-related fatigue. Version 1.2019. Accessed at
www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/f_guidelines.asp on September 18, 2019.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Survivorship. Version 2.2019. Accessed at https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/survivorship.pdf on September 11, 2019 .
Last Revised: February 1, 2020
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