Welcome to the newest program at Cactus Cancer Society, Ask A Cactus! Have a burning question about the YA Cancer survivorship experience? Ever wonder how another YA patient/survivor made a specific decision? Curious how other YAs rework a busy lifestyle once hearing the words “You have cancer.”? Stay tuned as we start to learn from others in the community of YAs facing cancer.
How does it work?
We’ll choose an important topic, introduce you to an expert on that topic, and then invite you to submit your questions to be answered by them. The expert will then partner up with a few young adult cancer survivors to answer all your questions. The experts will create small videos and short written excerpts addressing questions, one at a time, and together we’ll start learning about everything from nutrition to pharmaceutical research, fertility concerns, different lived experiences, and more.
Clinical Trials
Ask a Cactus: Clinical Trials
It’s the first video of our Ask a Cactus: Clinical Trial series, and our expert Laura is here to answer your questions on all things clinical trials!
Ask a Cactus: Clinical Trials and What to Know
It’s the second video of our Ask a Cactus: Clinical Trial series, and our expert Laura is here to tell you what you need to know about the process!
Ask a Cactus: Joining Clinical Trials
This is our third video in our Ask a Cactus Series on Clinical Trials. Hear from Laura, a Nurse Practioner at UCSF who answers all sorts of questions about clinical trials! In this video, she'll talk about how to find and join a clinical trial if you think one might be best for your care, what you should consider when joining a clinical trial, and more.
Ask a Cactus: Clinical Trials and Patient Experience
This is our final video in our Ask a Cactus Series on Clinical Trials! Hear from Laura, a Nurse Practioner at UCSF who answers all sorts of questions about clinical trials! In this video, she'll talk about the healthcare team taking care of you during a clinical trial and where to ask questions, the ethics governing clinical trials, the rights you have as a participant, how much is might cost, and more.
Creative Coping
Our Next Ask a Cactus: Creative Coping
Meet our next expert for Ask a Cactus: Chelsey Gomez, who is here to answer your creative coping questions!
Ask a Cactus: Creative Expression & Cancer
Our expert, Chelsey Gomez, is here to answer your questions about creative expression and cancer!
Ask a Cactus: The Creative Process
Our expert, Chelsey Gomez, is here to answer your questions about creative expression and cancer!
Ask a Cactus: Healing Through Creativity
Our expert, Chelsey Gomez, is here to answer your questions about creative expression and cancer!
Ask a Cactus: Personal Expression
Our expert, Chelsey Gomez, is here to answer your questions about creative expression and cancer! Today's post is about personal expression: how to find it and how to use it!
Side-Effect Management
Ask a Cactus: Side Effect Management
It's the first video of our Ask a Cactus: Side Effect Management, and our expert Ryan is here to introduce himself and share about his experience.
Ask a Cactus: But Am I Being Too Dramatic?
Check out this video on patient and provider communication for young adults facing cancer and their care teams. Whether you’re interested in advocating for yourself, learning more about patient and provider communication, getting support, or learning about extra resources, we've got you covered!
Ask a Cactus: Speak Out! Self-Advocacy and Side Effects
Check out this video on driving your own bus, speaking up for yourself, and advocating for yourself as a young adult facing cancer. Whether you’re interested in advocating for yourself, learning more about patient and provider communication, getting support, or learning about extra resources, we've got you covered!
Ask a Cactus: Top Draft Picks for Your Team
Check out this video on getting to know your healthcare team, who you can ask for, and who you can count on as a young adult facing cancer. Plus, some great tips on mental health support! Whether you’re interested in advocating for yourself, learning more about patient and provider communication, getting support, or learning about extra resources, we've got you covered!
Ask a Cactus: Who To Ask and Where To Look
Check out this video on knowing if a symptom is normal, decoding medical terminology on the internet, and learning as much as you can as a young adult facing cancer. Whether you’re interested in advocating for yourself, learning more about patient and provider communication, getting support, or learning about extra resources, we've got you covered!
Fertility & Family Building
Our Next Ask a Cactus: Fertility & Family Building
Meet our next expert for Act a Cactus: Catherine Benedict, PhD, to discuss family building!
Ask a Cactus: Fertility After Cancer Treatment
It's the second video of our Ask a Cactus: Fertility & Family Building, and our expert Catherine is here to answer a question on so many patients' minds: how has cancer treatment affected my fertility and where do I even start?!
Ask a Cactus: Types of Fertility Treatments
Yesterday, we learned how different types of cancer treatment may have impacted fertility. Today, Catherine will discuss the types of fertility treatments available.
Nutrition
Ask A Cactus: Let’s Talk Nutrition
Meet Alison Meagher, MS, RDN, as she prepares to answer all our burning questions about nutrition and cancer.
Ask a Cactus: Dietician vs. Nutritionist
Our expert Alison is here to answer an important question: what's the difference between a dietician and a nutritionist?
Ask a Cactus: What’s Up With Sugar and Cancer?!
So... does sugar *really* feed cancer? Our expert Alison gives us scientifically-backed information!
Ask A Cactus Partners
