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Counseling
Oncology social workers help you cope with the emotional and practical challenges of myelofibrosis. Contact us at 800‑813‑HOPE (4673) or info@cancercare.org.
Learn more about counseling.
Resource Navigation
Learn more about how CancerCare Resource Navigation can help you address barriers to care.
Financial Assistance
Find resources and support to manage your financial concerns. Limited assistance from CancerCare® is available to eligible families for cancer-related costs.
Specialized Programs
CancerCare offers specialized programs to address specific populations and concerns.
Coping Circle Workshops
Virtual educational and supportive workshops led by oncology social workers and qualified co-facilitators. These workshops cover numerous topics and are offered in English and Spanish.
Find Information
Connect Education Workshops
Listen in by telephone or online as leading experts in oncology provide up-to-date information about cancer-related issues in one-hour workshops. Podcasts are also available.
Podcasts
Myelofibrosis
- Updates on CAR T-cell Therapies, Mar 25, 2025
- Update from the 2024 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, Dec 19, 2024
- Update on CAR T-Cell Therapies, Oct 22, 2024
- Taking Your Blood Cancer Adherence Treatment on Schedule, Jun 11, 2024
General Topics
- Managing Eye and Vision Changes Related to Cancer Treatments, Apr 21, 2025
- Trends in Oncology & Treatment Planning: A Guide to Getting the Best Care, Apr 16, 2025
- Coping with Cancer, Mar 12, 2025
- Understanding the Different Names for Biomarker Testing and Their Role in Selecting the Best Treatment for You, Mar 10, 2025
- Understanding the Important Role that Biomarker Testing Plays in Informing the Treatment of Cancer, Mar 3, 2025
- Clinical Trials: How They Transform the Treatment of Cancer, Feb 4, 2025
- Understanding Treatment-Related Skin Toxicity: Practical Tips to Cope with Rash, Dry/Itchy/Peeling Skin and Nail Changes, Jan 17, 2025
- Cancer in the Workplace, Health Insurance, Finances and Returning to School, Dec 13, 2024
- Challenges Young Adults with Cancer Face: Coping Tips, Dec 6, 2024
- Chemotherapy: Novel Approaches to Prevent and Manage Gastrointestinal Treatment Side Effects, Nov 22, 2024
- Caregiving for Your Loved One with Cancer, Sep 23, 2024
- Current Perspectives on Cancer Survivorship, Sep 10, 2024
- Current Perspectives on the Future of Cancer Research, Jun 27, 2024
- How Health Care Disparities May Influence Your Cancer Treatment, Jun 17, 2024
- What’s New in Precision Medicine, Jun 12, 2024
- Caring for Your Loved One with Cancer, May 13, 2024
- Diverse Populations Participating in Decisions about Your Care, Apr 22, 2024
- Managing Eye and Vision Changes Related to Cancer Treatments, Apr 8, 2024
- Understanding the Different Names for Biomarker Testing & Their Role in Selecting the Best Treatment for You, Mar 4, 2024
- Chemotherapy: Novel Approaches to Prevent and Manage Gastrointestinal Treatment Side Effects, Feb 16, 2024
- Understanding the Important Role that Biomarker Testing Plays in Informing the Treatment of Cancer, Feb 12, 2024
- Young Adult Survivorship: Fertility, Sexuality and Intimacy, Feb 9, 2024
- Addressing the LGBTQI+ Health Disparities Gap, Jan 19, 2024
- Challenges Young Adults with Cancer Face: Coping Tips, Dec 15, 2023
- Current Perspectives on Cancer Survivorship, Nov 28, 2023
- Diverse Populations Participating in Decisions About Your Care With Your Health Care Team, Jun 28, 2023
- Understanding Diagnostic Technologies and Biomarkers, Jun 26, 2023
- Addressing the LGBTQI+ Health Disparities Gap, Jun 16, 2023
- Taking Your Pills on Schedule: Its Importance in Managing Cancer, May 24, 2023
- Understanding How Health Care Disparities May Influence Your Cancer Treatment and Care: With Tips and Strategies to Find the Best Cancer Treatment and Health Care Team for You, May 15, 2023
- Current Perspectives on Cancer Survivorship, May 2, 2023
- Taking Your Pills on Schedule: Why It Is So Important in Managing Cancer, May 4, 2022
- Current Perspectives on Cancer Survivorship, May 3, 2022
- Current Perspectives on Cancer Survivorship, Feb 9, 2021
- The 9/11 Community, Cancer & COVID-19, Jan 25, 2021
- Managing the Cost of Living with Cancer, Sep 23, 2020
- Veterans Living with Cancer, Jun 26, 2020
- What are Biosimilars? Understanding Their Role in Cancer Treatment: Current and Future Perspectives, Jun 18, 2020
- Current Perspectives in Cancer Survivorship, Jun 16, 2020
- Cancer and The Workplace: Understanding Your Legal Protections, Mar 25, 2020
- Understanding the Costs of Care and Your Health Care Coverage, Mar 18, 2020
- Joys and Challenges of Pets in Your Home When You Have Cancer, Apr 8, 2019
- Mind Body Techniques to Cope with the Stresses of Cancer, Nov 15, 2017
- Managing Sensory Disruptions During Cancer Treatments, Dec 5, 2016
- Nutrition and Healthy Eating Tips During and After Cancer Treatments, Feb 1, 2016
- Planning Your Comfort and Care at End of Life, May 10, 2012
- Helping Children and Teens Understand When a Parent or Loved One Has Cancer, Apr 20, 2011
- For Parents, Caregivers and Professionals: Helping Brothers and Sisters of Children Living with Cancer, May 14, 2009
Publications
Read or order our free Connect booklets and fact sheets offering easy-to-read information about the latest cancer treatments, managing side effects and coping with cancer.
Myelofibrosis
- Treatment Update: Blood CancersNew
- Bone Marrow Transplantation as a Treatment Option: What You Need to Know
General Topics
- Coping With Cancer: Tools to Help You LiveNew
- Caregiving for Your Loved One With Cancer
- Talking to Children When a Loved One Has Cancer
- Communicating With Your Health Care Team
- Sources of Financial Assistance
- Finding Resources in Your Community
- If You've Just Been Diagnosed
- What Can I Say to a Newly Diagnosed Loved One?
- Advice for Caregivers: How Can You Help Yourself?
Ask CancerCare
Every month, featured experts answer your questions about coping with cancer. View all questions and answers.
Myelofibrosis
- Q.
Prior to my husband’s recent diagnosis, we had never heard of myelofibrosis and don’t really understand what it means. I would like to learn more and know what to expect.
A.Learning a loved one has myelofibrosis (MF) can feel overwhelming. By reaching out for information and support, you are taking the first step in helping to manage and cope with this diagnosis. While no one knows precisely what causes MF, it is one of a group of disorders referred to as myeloproliferative neoplasms, or MPNs, and is a type of cancer sometimes referred to as a blood cancer or a bone marrow disorder. With myelofibrosis, the bone marrow doesn’t function properly causing a reduction in the amount of normal blood cells. The liver and spleen begin to make blood cells to compensate for this. In turn, this causes the liver and spleen to become enlarged and creates some of the symptoms such as abdominal pain, feeling full, weight loss, fatigue, itching, bone pain, and night sweats that people diagnosed with MF may experience.
It’s difficult to know how MF will affect your loved one, because symptoms and their intensity will vary, but there are several steps you and you husband can take to ensure you get the best care possible and continue to live a rewarding life. It’s important for you and your husband to communicate with your doctor and keep notes about and symptoms and side effects he experiences. Here are some practical suggestions to help guide the conversation:
- Create a file for all paperwork related to your husband’s diagnosis and medical appointments. Include copies of lab results and other important documents.
- Keep track of symptoms, their side effects and intensity.
- Keep a list of all medications he is taking.
- Create a list of questions you and he have for the doctor and their answers.
- During the appointment, make sure he has the opportunity to ask questions of his provider.
- Keep a calendar to record appointments.
Please refer to our fact sheet, “Doctor Can We Talk?” Tips for Communicating with Your Health Care Team for more information.
People coping with serious conditions may feel many strong emotions and it’s common to need extra support to help get through difficult times. Patients and family members can benefit from counseling. CancerCare services include telephone and online support groups for people with cancer and their loved ones. If you’re interested in learning more about our free support, call 800-813-HOPE (4673).
Myelofibrosis is the rarest of the MPN’s and this can make finding information and support more of a challenge. Fortunately, you don’t have to travel that road alone, and there are a number of groups that can assist. Visit the National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD) or the MPN Research Foundation for more information.
Featured Resource
Magnolia Meals at Home
A meal delivery program that helps patients by providing nourishing meals to households affected by cancer. Is currently available in and around Woodcliff Lake, NJ and Andover, MA, Raleigh-Durham, NC and New Haven, CT (as well areas in New York, New Hampshire and Boston, MA). For more information please visit magnoliamealsathome.com or contact Kathy Nugent, LCSW at 800-813-4673, ext. 6809.
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Additional Resources
For Myelofibrosis
CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation
DKMS We Delete Blood Cancer
MPN Research Foundation
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)
General Cancer Resources
American Cancer Society
Medical Information
National Cancer Institute
National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) – NCCN Guidelines for Patients®