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Sami Mansfield: The Critical Role of Social Connections for Cancer Survivors, Caregivers, and Everyone

Sami Mansfield/LinkedIn

Sep 18, 2024, 10:43

Sami Mansfield: The Critical Role of Social Connections for Cancer Survivors, Caregivers, and Everyone

Sami Mansfield shared on LinkedIn:

“The Critical Role of Social Connections for Cancer Survivors, Caregivers, and Everyone.

Check out my latest YouTube (and forgive that I’ve been offline socializing in person!!!)

Loneliness and social isolation have reached alarming levels in the United States, impacting people from all walks of life. A 2024 survey revealed that 30% of adults feel lonely at least once a week, with 10% feeling lonely daily. This trend is especially concerning among younger adults, with 43% reporting more loneliness since the pandemic.

For cancer survivors and caregivers, these feelings of isolation can be even more significant 52% of cancer survivors say they felt more isolated after their diagnosis, with loneliness linked to higher mortality rates. Caregivers, too, face the burden of isolation, often balancing emotional and physical exhaustion.

36% of Americans experience serious loneliness, feeling isolated ‘frequently’ or ‘almost all the time.’

– Cancer survivors with strong social connections report better mental and physical health, while caregivers with support networks experience less burnout.

Social connections aren’t just about emotional well-being—they can improve health outcomes and even extend life expectancy. Building and maintaining these connections is critical, whether through friends, family, or support groups.

As healthcare professionals, caregivers, and communities, we must prioritize meaningful social ties for both survivors and caregivers. Simple acts of connection can have profound effects on quality of life.

One of the biggest missions of the MyLifestyle Shift Program is to create a community that’s filled with empowerment and encouragement along with an emphasis on education and implementation. Over the last nine months as we’ve been running the community, the power of social connections is like fuel to the fire of habit change!”

Source: Sami Mansfield/LinkedIn

More posts featuring Sami Mansfield on oncodaily.com

Sami Mansfield is the founder of Cancer Wellness for Life. She’s been a certified cancer exercise specialist since 2003 and has dedicated her career to implementing evidence-based lifestyle education, resources and tools into cancer care for both the patients and the providers. She is also a Chair of Cancer Member Interest Group, at the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and Breast Cancer Taskforce Co-Chair at Colorado Cancer Coalition.