Mindfulness Practices

Overview

This video features Dr. Kelly Martens, a clinical health psychologist specializing in psycho-oncology at Henry Ford Health, discussing the emotional challenges faced by pancreatic cancer survivors after undergoing the Whipple procedure. The session addresses fear of recurrence and disease progression, common emotional responses, and practical coping strategies.

Dr. Martens explains the concepts of fear of recurrence and disease progression, highlighting recent research showing these fears are particularly intense among pancreatic cancer patients. Survivors share personal experiences of anxiety before and after surgery, emphasizing feelings of helplessness, relief, and ongoing vigilance around follow-up scans.

The discussion covers cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques to identify and reframe distorted thoughts such as catastrophizing and all-or-nothing thinking. Dr. Martens stresses that some fears are valid and encourages acceptance and changing one’s relationship to these thoughts rather than denying them.

Mindfulness practices, visualization, and relaxation exercises are presented as helpful tools to manage anxiety. The role of medication for mood and anxiety is also addressed, with acknowledgment of individual variability and the importance of professional guidance.

Social support is emphasized as critical, including knowing how to ask for specific types of help—emotional, informational, or tangible—and the value of support groups and professional counseling. Survivorship care planning and self-advocacy are encouraged, including developing a partnership with healthcare providers and seeking reliable information.

The video also explores the psychological transition into life after treatment, including post-traumatic stress reactions and the process of reprioritizing life goals and values. Positive growth and meaning-making after cancer diagnosis are discussed as potential outcomes despite the challenges.

Source Information

This content is derived from a recorded webinar titled "Life After Whipple: Fear, Anxiety, and Pancreatic Cancer Survivorship" featuring Dr. Kelly Martens and pancreatic cancer survivor Greg Adams. The session was hosted on YouTube and includes a transcript of the full discussion. The video length is approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes. The discussion integrates clinical insights, survivor experiences, and evidence-based psychological approaches relevant to pancreatic cancer survivorship.

For more information, the video is available at https://youtube.com/watch?t=0&v=zdJVJ8_p8Os.

Overview

MSK video library including meditation, guided imagery, yoga, Tai Chi, exercise, dance, and music therapy classes.

Topic Context

This video is connected with Bladder Cancer, Art / Expressive Therapies, Exercise / Physical Activity, Guided Imagery / Visualization, Meditation / Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness Practices, Music Therapy, Pilates / Movement Disciplines, Tai Chi, Yoga. It can be used as supporting media for those topic pages, especially when a visitor wants a video overview, presentation, interview, lecture, or visual explanation rather than a written source.

Source Information

• Platform: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
• Type: video link
• Source URL: https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/diagnosis-treatment/symptom-management/integrative-medicine/resources/videos
• Linked topics: Diseases: Bladder Cancer; Protocols: Art / Expressive Therapies, Exercise / Physical Activity, Guided Imagery / Visualization, Meditation / Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness Practices, Music Therapy, Pilates / Movement Disciplines, Tai Chi

Overview

MSK integrative medicine page with videos and demonstrations for acupuncture, massage, exercise, touch therapies, mind-body therapies, creative therapies, and nutrition counseling.

Topic Context

This video is connected with Bladder Cancer, Acupuncture / Acupressure, Art / Expressive Therapies, Exercise / Physical Activity, Massage Therapy / Oncology Massage, Meditation / Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness Practices, Music Therapy. It can be used as supporting media for those topic pages, especially when a visitor wants a video overview, presentation, interview, lecture, or visual explanation rather than a written source.

Source Information

• Platform: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
• Type: video link
• Source URL: https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/diagnosis-treatment/symptom-management/integrative-medicine/therapies
• Linked topics: Diseases: Bladder Cancer; Protocols: Acupuncture / Acupressure, Art / Expressive Therapies, Exercise / Physical Activity, Massage Therapy / Oncology Massage, Meditation / Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness Practices, Music Therapy