Dr. Gonzalez recommended a chiropractor in Atlanta. He told Mary to address the neck issue, and then they would tackle her immune system. “I’d gone to umpteen doctors, and they’d all told me, ‘We can’t see anything wrong with your neck.’ And I’m like, ‘I am in excruciating pain. How could nothing be wrong with my neck and have all that pain?’ And Dr. Gonzalez immediately picked up on that. We went from there, and I was a patient of his for 20 years.”

Mary is the Artistic Director of Swander Woman Productions, a theatre troupe that performs dramas about food, farming, and the wider rural environment. She also is the Executive Director of AgArts, a nonprofit designed to imagine and promote healthy food systems through the arts. She hosts AgArts from Horse & Buggy Land, a podcast focused on sustainability, the Amish, and rural living.

An award-winning author, Swander has published books of poetry, non-fiction, drama, and individual pieces in The Nation, The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, and Poetry.

Now, Mary has written the authorized biography, The Maverick M.D.: Dr. Nicholas Gonzalez and His Fight for a New Cancer Treatment, available from New Spring Press.

Dr. Gonzalez graduated Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude from Brown, with a degree in English literature. He worked as a journalist for Time and New York Magazine for eight years during the 1970s, focusing on health-related issues. It was during this time that he became interested in medicine and scientific research.

Dr. Gonzalez’s postgraduate premed work was at Columbia. He earned a medical degree from Cornell in 1983 and worked at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center while in med school. His internship in internal medicine was at Vanderbilt.

“He could clear up pancreatic cancer patients in record time, but autoimmune people are actually more difficult to deal with,” Mary contended. “That’s why we had a long relationship. … I was fascinated by what he did, how incredibly intelligent he was, and how he researched everything – not, you know, wave their hands over you or had crystals or something.”

As a medical student, Dr. Gonzalez learned of the work of a dentist, William Donald Kelley. The latter claimed to have cured his liver and pancreatic cancer with a nutritional therapy – a combination of pancreatic enzymes, minerals, vitamins, and coffee enemas.

“[Dr. Gonzalez] was an Ivy League physician, a scientist very much within the framework of conventional medicine in his training,” Mary said. “He found a different method that was more effective, and he tried to have it tested. A lot of criticism about alternative treatments is they haven’t been through clinical trials, and they don’t want to be tested. He did, and stepped forward and said, ‘I want to be tested; I want this to go through trials, the normal testing apparatus. And if it fails, then I’ll quit.’ I really respected that.”

While researching the book, Mary came to understand how Dr. Gonzalez had “put himself out there” with his belief in pancreatic enzymes and nutritional therapy as a viable treatment for cancer. “He sincerely believed in this, that he was onto something,” she added. “He really wanted to help people. He was a dedicated physician who wanted to cure cancer.”

Within The Maverick M.D., Mary gives the reader a solid grounding of the Gonzalez Protocol and why it is a different paradigm. “This is a total revamping of your entire constitution. It’s looking at the human body as a holistic system and trying to put it into balance,” she said.

“I think we should look at Dr. Gonzalez as a healer. I’ve been talking about him being a very well-credentialed conventional doctor, to begin with. As you read the book, you’ll see step-by-step, he began to enter into a spiritual realm. I think he had abilities beyond most human beings and that he was connecting to a higher force.

“There’s a spiritual dimension to the program that, if you didn’t know who this man was, you might not see that right away,” Mary noted. “I did not see it right away as a patient. I began to get my eyes open to his abilities. It’s a wonderful read as a medical read, but it’s also a wonderful read as a portrait of a true healer. Your eyes will be opened about all sorts of possibilities, medical and spiritual.”

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Healthcare officials suggest 150 minutes of exercise each week. Now, you’re probably thinking, “Wow, that’s a lot of time to commit to sweating.” Consider this: That’s about 21 minutes each day. With 1,440 minutes in a day, we’re talking 1.45% of your time. … C’mon, you can do it – and do it by pedaling.

Once you learn how to ride a bike, you don’t forget. Cycling does not require professional skill levels of physical fitness; you’re not training for the Tour de France. Still, a plus for these low-impact sessions is that all major muscle groups are engaged as you pedal.

OK, so maybe you don’t have the desire to “ride” a bicycle. You still can cycle; there is a myriad of options that fit the bill. And exercise trumps the inactive lifestyle that raises the risk of cancer, heart diseases, diabetes, and other diseases. [1]

Benefits of Cycling

Because you are using the major muscles of the body, cycling will improve your strength and stamina. Your aerobic fitness also will benefit. While building up endurance, the intensity of your workouts may increase. Really, it’s up to you: a low-intensity pedal or a rigorously physical, sweat-inducing excursion – it’s up to you.

A review of 16 cycling‐centric studies found cycling beneficial for overall fitness and lowering cardiovascular risk factors. [2] Cycling for 2½ hours each week is a low-impact way to improve your health. (Low-impact exercise causes less strain on the body and is associated with fewer injuries than more vigorous types of workouts.)

To be sure, cycling is a fun way to reclaim your health. Getting outside your neighborhood, cruising downhill, pumping uphill … being outdoors is an opportunity to clear your head and see the world. And let’s face it: cycling is much more invigorating than being sedentary watching TV and snacking.

Also, physical activity is a protective effect against depression, as well as positive health gains such as physical performance and cardiovascular improvements. [3]

A 2017 study published in the British Medical Journal found that commuting via cycling was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality and adverse cardiovascular disease and cancer outcomes. [4]

Types of Training Bikes

There are three types of training bikes, and each offers advantages and perks to suit your goals:

UPRIGHT – features a conventional riding position – a standard bike seat – with no back support. (These bikes are well-suited for people who want a comfortable workout – not a high-intensity training session.)

RECUMBENT – you are in a reclined position – with a broader, more comfortable seat – and the pedals are in front. (This helps even your body weight distribution.)

INDOOR CYCLING – These are the cream of the crop bikes, designed for riders to sit or stand. Indoor cycling bikes are for high-intensity interval training and fat-burning workouts. (These bikes often are showcased in exercise groups or spinning classes.)

There are several different bikes from which to choose.

• Marcy Club Revolution Bike Cycle Trainer for Cardio Exercise
• Sunny Health & Fitness Exercise Cycling Bike
• Keiser M3i Indoor Cycle Bundle
• NordicTrack Commercial Studio Cycle
• YOSUDA Indoor Cycling Bike Stationary

Among the features to look for with an indoor bike is the ability to track time, distance, speed, resistance, and heart-rate monitoring. You also may want to keep up with calories burned; it's truly a personal preference.

Some bikes also offer built-in programs for training courses and videos.

Cycling with Cancer

LUNG CANCER – Researchers at Jilin University in Changchun, China, evaluated 16 randomized controlled trials to determine the effect of exercise on early-stage lung cancer patients' quality of life. The data indicates that exercise may benefit these patients’ strength and endurance while decreasing emotional issues. The effectiveness is affected by the length of time exercising, frequency, intensity, and adherence to a regimen. [5]

BREAST CANCER – In August 2020, a study was released comparing meta-analysis between usual care and aerobic training in women with Stage I or II breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. In two of the studies, chemo was neoadjuvant (used before the primary treatment), seven of the studies were adjuvant (used after primary treatment), and one study combined patients. As expected, results showed aerobic training for cardiorespiratory fitness increased the maximum rate of oxygen consumption vs. no exercise. [6]

For breast cancer survivors, aerobic exercise may be beneficial, including cycling. The Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention looked at 12 studies that compared aerobic exercise with usual care among breast cancer survivors. The research showed that aerobic exercise could significantly improve the quality of life in breast cancer survivors. The aerobic exercise also relieved the symptoms of depression and anxiety. [7]

COLORECTAL CANCER – Data from five English-language and five Chinese-language studies, encompassing 934 patients, showed medium-intensity exercise as effective for preventing cancer-related fatigue and improved the quality of life of colorectal cancer patients who had recently undergone surgery to treat the disease. [8]

Expanding Your Community

Randomized controlled trials have proven the efficacy of exercise in improving cancer patients’ quality of life, including community-based programs. After all, no one understands a cancer patient like someone also dealing with the same hurdles.

While cycling – whether on the open road or with a stationary bike – there are many benefits you won’t think about, including relieving stress, building muscle, and maintaining a healthy weight. Also, remember: Cycling is low impact, so it is easy on your joints.

So, grab a helmet and mount up. Cancer is a journey, and along the way, you can pedal toward improved physical condition and overall better cardiovascular health.

The post Cycling and Cancer: Do it for your physical and cardiovascular health appeared first on Cancer Tutor.

Beyond direct care costs, there are other significant drivers of financial toxicity. Cancer patients may also endure a loss of work productivity – reduction in work hours, missed days at work, or job loss.

With more than 200 different types of cancer, there is no “one size fits all” cancer treatment. There are, however, several consistent factors that contribute to patients’ overall costs for their care. The maximum out-of-pocket limit for 2020 insurance plans is $8,200 for individual plans and $16,400 for family plans.

“When someone is diagnosed with cancer or a serious illness, one of the two questions they have is they want to find the best doctors. Secondly, how are they going to find the funds to pay for it.”

Scott Page

LifeGuidePartners

Some of the out-of-pocket components that determine what patients pay include premiums, deductibles, co-payments, co-insurance, in-network vs. out-of-network, balance billing, and out-of-pocket maximum. Together, these costs contribute to potential financial toxicity for the patient and family.

According to The Mesothelioma Center, 63% of cancer patients faced financial struggles following a cancer diagnosis. Nearly 20% of cancer patients and their families estimated they spent more than $20,000 each year in total out-of-pocket costs. (2)

“Not only do financial stressors negatively impact healing,” says Scott Page, the CEO of LifeGuide Partners, “but they can also cause frustration, despair, and loss of hope for all involved.” “There are multiple ways to approach how to pay for medical care. Even if you have medical insurance, you’re still going to be hit with out-of-pocket costs and deductibles.

“We urge patients to take a look at their existing life insurance policy. You can convert that policy into the cash you need and, in many cases, receive the money tax-free.”

Selling your life insurance policy

If you own a life insurance policy, you can:

• Change the beneficiary (unless the policy has restrictions).
• Use the insurance policy as collateral for a loan.
• Borrow money against the insurance policy.
• Sell the insurance policy to another person or entity.

Selling the policy to a third party is where a life settlement comes into play. In the past, to get out of a life insurance policy, you surrendered the plan or waited for it to lapse.

However, you can sell the insurance policy and use that money for financial needs. The third-party buyer will assume payment of the policy premiums and will receive the benefit.

Meanwhile, you take the money to pay for cancer treatments, pay off debts, travel, or check off bucket list items.

One study of 89,520 patients found that those undergoing cancer treatment missed 22.3 more workdays per year than those without cancer. (3) For patients without employment-based benefits, including health insurance, cancer-related healthcare costs often become a financial burden.

Sadly, cancer patients are 2.65 times more likely to file bankruptcy. (4) As a result, bankruptcy is associated with a higher risk of death among cancer patients.

Northwestern Medicine and the University of Michigan examined the long-term effects of a significant financial loss. (5) The study reported that people who lose 75 percent or more of their wealth after age 50 were 50% more likely to die within 20 years than those whose financial picture stayed more stable.

“These people suffer a mental health toll because of the financial loss, as well as pulling back from medical care because they can’t afford it,” says Lindsay Pool, a research assistant professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern. “The most surprising finding was that having wealth and losing it is almost as bad for your life expectancy as never having wealth.”

Covering out-of-pocket expenses

Out-of-pocket costs are common financial hardship. These are the expenses a patient pays directly – co-insurance, deductibles, co-payments – for medications, hospital stays, outpatient visits, and other medical care.

These out-of-pocket expenses for cancer treatments can quickly diminish and often exceed the money in the bank. You could even lose assets. The National Cancer Institute says between 33-80% of cancer survivors use savings to cover the costs of medical care. For many, this results in medical debt, which may have a long-term effect on your credit and retirement savings. (6)

Financial toxicity goes well beyond the dollars and cents impact. There also is personal stress – the angst and anxiety of financial worry, which could lead to depression. (7)

“It’s unfortunate, in this country, that today we’re still struggling with ‘How are we going to pay for health care,’” Page says. “When someone is diagnosed with cancer or a serious illness, one of the two questions they have is they want to find the best doctors. Secondly, how are they going to find the funds to pay for it.”

“LifeGuide Partners offers a free policy appraisal,” he adds. “We can tell you what your policy is worth and convert it to cash today. That will remove their premium payments and help them receive the money they need to pay for care.”

The post LifeGuide Partners on how to avoid financial toxicity while paying for cancer treatments appeared first on Cancer Tutor.

We have discussed the health benefits of walking, water exercises, rebounding, and yoga for cancer patients. Beyond that, there is a more profound discussion: your heart and lungs as the foundation of training.

Many people focus on the idea that muscles are a sign of strength; bodybuilders and weightlifters are muscular, right?

While fitness buffs are outwardly prime examples of muscle-sculpting, inside, they equally try to maximize “cardio.” The focus is on four pillars: strength, cardiovascular fitness, mobility, and body composition. (More on these later from a “sculptor of the stars.”)

So, we're going to look at a couple of ways that cardio, the exercise, and cardio, the system, work within cancer patients. Key to both is the cardiovascular system – heart and circulatory system – and the respiratory system – lungs, mouth, nose, throat, voice box, and windpipe – which run in conjunction with each other.

Why is “cardio” – the joint effort of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems – so crucial to overall health, especially in cancer patients? Let’s first look at the why in light of problems that may arise from chemo and radiation.

If you are using a natural or integrative cancer treatment, the cardio workout aspect of your overall health already should be part of your daily routine.

In either case, cardio training is beneficial to your overall health. So, what are you waiting for?

What is cardiac toxicity?

Chemotherapy kills cancer cells. A side effect of chemo is healthy cell death, some of which may also be in and around the heart. When these chemicals damage the heart, it is called cardiac toxicity.

Examples of cardiac toxicity include:

Acute coronary syndrome – damage to blood vessels, which decreases blood flow to the heart, can cause a heart attack.

Cardiomyopathy – a weakened or enlarged heart muscle that may result in changes to heart rhythm or heart failure.

Congestive heart failure – the heart cannot pump enough blood throughout the body and may lead to a heart transplant.

Myocarditis – swelling of the heart that may lead to changes in heart rhythm or heart failure.

Pericarditis – inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart, which may cause heart failure.

What causes cardiac toxicity?

Anthracyclines – a type of antibiotic that comes from certain types of Streptomyces bacteria used to treat many types of cancer, including bladder, bone, breast, head and neck, kidney, leukemia, lymphoma, sarcomas, skin, and stomach. The chemo drugs that most commonly cause heart damage are anthracyclines: Cerubidine, Doxil, Ellence, Idamycin PFS, and Valstar.

Cyclophosphamide –an alkylating agent chemo drug that also can damage the heart. Cyclophosphamide is typically used to treat bone, breast, leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, ovarian, sarcomas, and skin cancers.

Targeted therapy – these drugs also can cause heart damage. Examples of targeted therapy drugs include Avastin, Herceptin, Nexavar, Sutent, and Tykerb.

Radiation therapy – Many breast, lung, and lymphoma cancer patients receive radiation therapy to the chest. This way, radiation can damage the vessels that bring blood to the heart.

Can cardio exercises help cancer patients?

In 2012, the University of New Mexico examined how exercise impacted cancer patients’ quality of life during treatment. The study involved data from 56 trials with 4,826 participants. The researchers reported the positive effects of exercise were more pronounced with moderate- or vigorous-intensity programs. [2]

A 2018 UK study of 33 unique trials covering 3,257 patients found that aerobic exercise improves prognosis and quality of life after chemotherapy. Four of the trials reported reduced chemotherapy toxicity. [3]

Obviously, more research is needed to determine the impact of exercise on chemotherapy. Still, we do know that cardio is a significant part of overall health.

Aerobic exercise reduces the risk of certain cancers and many other conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Weight-bearing exercises, like walking, help decrease the risk of osteoporosis. [4]

Exercise advice from a pro’s pro

If you’re a movie buff, the name Corey Calliet probably doesn’t come to mind. But if you’ve watched Michael B. Jordan in Fantastic Four, Black Panther, or Creed, you know Calliet’s work. He’s the man responsible for training Jordan.

“I got into fitness and nutrition because I wanted to look good for the girls,” Calliet admits. “My first want for training was the aesthetic part. I wanted to look good – abs, nice arms, good chest.”

Calliet initially set his sights on becoming a bodybuilder before deciding to have a more significant impact on the world at large. “I became addicted to [bodybuilding]. I found out I can change everything about my life by focusing on my body, my nutrition.

“Now, I look at myself as an artist, not a trainer,” he adds. “It’s a unique craft. A light bulb came on, and I started to transform people into what they want.”

Calliet says he is more than a trainer, noting to clients he’s also a friend, counselor, and therapist to clients. “People think the physical change is more important than the inside,” he says. “You have to change their heart, their mind, their soul. They have to commit.”

He also notes cardio is key to burning fat. He says your body uses stored glycogen to fuel your workout session. After weight training, a cardio workout will tap into fat for energy.

Calliet’s core training focus has three aspects:

Fasted Cardio – Calliet recommends 30 to 45 minutes of cardio in the morning before eating.

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) – incorporate weights, bands, or your own body weight. Do the exercises for 30 seconds, then rest 30 seconds. Rinse and repeat. The 30-on, 30-off process increases metabolism.

Cardio Post-Weight Training –30 to 45 minutes of cardio after weightlifting increases the potential for burning fat.

Basics of cardiovascular fitness

Your body adapts to the type of training you do. When the body gets into a routine, it is harder to achieve sustained results. Vary your cardiovascular activity!

Bike riding, swimming, speed walking, running can all be cycled weekly. Your workouts will be challenging and effective in keeping your body in motion.

A heart rate monitor is a crucial piece of equipment for dialing in your cardiovascular training. Try to exercise within 60-80% of your maximum heart rate to achieve the optimal physiological results.

Be sure to enjoy appropriate rest intervals. Set your exercise intervals and have a work:rest ratio of 1:4. If you sprint on a bike for 15 seconds, rest for 60 seconds.

Your body will adapt to your workouts. The goal is to work for more challenging sessions as time goes on.

Low-Impact Cardio Workout

Intermediate Cardio Workout

Advanced HIIT Cardio Workout

FAQs

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And as we’ll explain, water has a therapeutic way of refreshing your mind and reduces stress and anxiety. You will be invigorated and have a better sleep.

Physical activity is a piece of the puzzle that helps promote a healthy immune system. Diet and exercise are paramount in boosting your body’s immunity. While you can’t change your DNA, you can control how you fuel your body – with food and workouts.

For starters, water exercises provide a flexible environment for working out; you don’t have to worry about falling and hurting yourself in a pool. The water also reduces the impact exercises have on your joints and muscles.

So, slip on that swimsuit – no Speedos, please! – and let’s dip our toes into the pool to test the waters …

‘Find something called movement’

Cancer patients’ quality of life depends on a myriad of factors, including their overall health. Being physically active is a significant component of QoL. However, cancer patients and survivors often suffer from myofascial pain. This chronic and painful condition affects the connective tissue that covers the muscles.

There are many ways to be physically active, including rebounding, yoga, walking. If you suffer from myofascial pain syndrome, this may involve either a single muscle or a muscle group and not allow you to exert the energy to do those activities. [1]

During the 2017 Cancer Control Society annual meeting, biochemistry researcher Nick Delgado asked, “What is it you’re doing right now to prevent cancer?”

At the root of his question is the immune system – and physical activity plays a significant role.

“Our immune system is the key to being able to fight and overcome this very serious killer disease,” Delgado said. “I am also of the school that we follow a lifestyle that helps us to live healthier and better.

“I don’t believe it will ever be a world free of cancer completely. I think people always smoke. They’ll always abuse their body. They always want to eat meat,” says Delgado, who promotes a plant-based lifestyle.

For cancer patients who cannot put their bodies through running and jumping rigors, water aerobics may be beneficial for a healthier, more physically-active life.

“Start with walking, move up to jogging, move up to running,” Delgado said. “I have athletes. I have people who have not exercised a day in their life, who graduate to various forms [of exercise]; could be water exercise. You have to find something called movement. Move your body.”

The popularity of water exercises

A 2018 study aimed to establish exercise preferences among head and neck cancer survivors found that 33% of those queried were interested in water exercises. [2] Meanwhile, there is mounting scientific evidence that has shown physical exercise improves aerobic fitness, strength, physical activity levels, and quality of life.

Physical exercise, including water aerobics, reduces fatigue in cancer survivors, including breast cancer patients, during and post-treatment. Research also suggests other health benefits from physical activity during and post-cancer treatments. [3]

In 2012, 66 breast cancer survivors were randomly assigned into two groups: the Water group, who received a water exercise program, and the Control group, who received the usual care treatment for breast cancer. The research noted an 8-week water therapy program was useful for improving neck and shoulder/armpit pain and reducing the presence of trichorhinophalangeal (TRPS) in breast cancer survivors as compared with usual care.

TRPS is a gene that appears to help regulate healthy embryonic development and is found at high levels in virtually all forms of breast cancer. [4] Based on 2005 research, the TRPS-1 gene is associated with a rare, inherited genetic disease in which loss of the gene function results in muscle and bone deformities. [5] The gene is located in a region previously known to be associated with breast cancer and other oncogenes.

“Based on our findings, we believe that TRPS-1 is involved in the earliest stages of breast cancer,” says Laszlo Radvanyi, Ph.D., associate professor of breast and melanoma medical oncology at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

TRPS-1 is a DNA-binding protein that regulates how other proteins get produced. It also appears to be involved in recognition of steroids such as estrogen. Radvanyi speculates that the protein may help regulate cell growth and perhaps estrogen recognition.

Benefits of water exercises

Exercise may be associated with increased health-related quality of life in patients with cancer. Still, it is not prescribed as standard care during or after cancer treatment. A systematic review of methodological quality from 16 randomized controlled trials summarized the evidence.

The review determined that exercise has a direct positive impact on patients’ quality of life with cancer, during, and following medical intervention. The types of cancer studied included mixed, breast, lymphoma, colo-rectal, prostate, and lung cancer. The authors also noted exercise is a “clinically relevant treatment and should be an adjunct to disease therapy in oncology.” [6]

Furthermore, another study of 72 randomized controlled trials – 71 in adults and 1 in children – determined exercise had a moderate effect on reducing fatigue compared with a control intervention. Exercise also improved depression and sleep. [7]

In 2018, a study was launched to investigate whether patients who suffer from lower limb lymphedema after cancer treatments can benefit from water immersion exercise training to improve functional capacity, quality of life, and help control/diminish limb volume.

Aquatic exercise training programs allow moderate and vigorous-intensity activities for patients with lower limb lymphedema, increasing functional capacity and quality of life. Thus, immersion exercise does not appear to exacerbate lower limb lymphedema. [8]

“If you transition to a healthy lifestyle, you may not need the medications in short order. Your quality of life will improve dramatically,” Delgado said. “We know that exercise is important. We know that your emotional status is important. We know that better sleep is important.

“I can tell you this: If you suffer from allergies, cancer, infection, or inflammation, your white blood cells are the key to your total health and immune system.” (White blood cells are immune system cells that help protect against infectious diseases.) [9-10]

Types of water aerobics

Water aerobics place very little weight on the joints, which means people of all ages and varying levels of fitness can reap the exercises’ benefits. Water places an upward force on a person – buoyancy – and you can experience as much as 90% less weight when in the water. This makes water exercises an ideal activity for a low-impact water workout.

Aqua jogging is a low-impact exercise to get the heart pumping and blood flowing throughout the body. As simple as jogging through the water from one side of the pool to the other, aqua jogging also can be as simple as walking back and forth in the pool or marching in place in the pool.

Capitalizing on the resistance of the water, leg lifts work all of the muscles in your legs. Merely stand in the pool and lift one leg out to the side and back down. Repeat until your leg feels tired, then switch legs. This exercise also improves balance and strengthens your core.

Water push-ups build strength in your arms, chest, and shoulders – and there is not a lot of pressure put on your joints. To do these push-ups, stand along the side of the pool and place your hands a little wider than shoulder-width apart on the edge of the pool. Bend your arms and lean in toward the wall, then push yourself back out. Repeat this exercise slowly and until your arms feel tired.

FAQs

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Even more sobering, about 42,170 women are expected to die this year from breast cancer. There is good news: Overall, the breast cancer death rate has decreased by 1.3% per year from 2013 to 2017. The decreases are thought to be, according to the American Cancer Society, the result of treatment advances and earlier detection through screening.

Still, for women in the U.S., breast cancer death rates are higher than those for any other cancer, besides lung cancer.

About 1 in 8 women (about 12%) will develop invasive breast cancer throughout her lifetime. As of January 2020, more than 3.5 million women have a history of breast cancer, including those currently being treated and those who have finished treatment.

(And guys, don’t think it can’t happen to you. The ACS predicts about 2,620 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in men this year. A man’s lifetime risk of breast cancer is about 1 in 883.)

However, despite the facts and figures, research continues to shine a light of hope. Everything from treatments to diet is being studied, and yes – food can make a difference. A recent study that examined dietary fiber intake and breast cancer showed the risk could be reduced by 12%.

So, if you are what you eat, what should that be (hint: bone up on the Mediterranean diet)? We’ll dig into that and also share why cruciferous veggies should become a staple in your everyday meal-planning.

As we dive in, remember that less than 15% of women who get breast cancer have a family member diagnosed with it. However, a woman’s risk of breast cancer nearly doubles if she has a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) who has been diagnosed.

Now is the time to begin making a difference in your life. Take the initiative to do something, rather than risk becoming another statistic. Let’s take that first step together … 

What the science says

A 1994 case-control study of 451 women in Australia examined the risk of breast cancer to dietary fiber. There were significant reductions in relative risk with increased intake of dietary fiber. The study provided strong support that foods rich in dietary fiber may protect against breast cancer. [1]

In 2016, Dr. Manas Kotepui, Ph.D., reviewed 111 epidemiological studies that focused on nutritional risk factors including dietary fat, meat, fiber, and alcohol, and intake of phytoestrogen, Vitamin D, iron, and folate associated with breast cancer. The evidence suggests that diet may be associated with breast cancer risk depending on the amount and type of foods consumed. Higher intake of foods containing n-3 PUFA, Vitamin D, phytoestrogen, fiber, and folate, together with lower intake of saturated fat, n-6 PUFA, grilled meat, and alcohol, may be beneficial. [2]

With results released in 2016, Harvard research scientist Maryam Farvid examined fiber intake during adolescence and early adulthood to breast cancer risk. 90,534 women completed a dietary questionnaire in 1991; 2,833 invasive breast cancer cases were documented during 20 years of follow-up. The findings support the hypothesis that higher fiber intakes reduce breast cancer risk and suggest that consumption during adolescence and early adulthood may be particularly important. [3]

Another 2016 study, Dietary fiber intake, and risk of breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies, examined 24 articles on the relationship between dietary fiber and breast cancer. A total of 51,939 cases and 3,662,421 participants were included. The analysis showed a protective association between dietary fiber intake and breast cancer risk, and the danger could be reduced by 12%. Furthermore, the data showed each 10 g/d increment of dietary fiber intake was associated with a 4% risk reduction. [4]

More recently, dietary guidelines for breast cancer patients have failed to address adequate nutritional intakes of macro- and micronutrients that may improve patients’ nutritional status.

Nutritionist Ana Teresa Limon-Miro led a review of the PubMed and Biomed Central databases across 15 years (2002-17) concerning dietary guidelines for breast cancer patients and the potential impact of a personalized, nutrient-specific diet on patients’ nutritional condition during and after cancer treatment.

The results, taken from five studies covering 2,622 women, indicated breast cancer patients should maintain healthy body weight and lean mass.

Limon-Miro notes that the specifics of nutritional therapy should be based on the patients’ nutritional status, dietary habits, schedule, activities, and cultural preferences for sustained success.

Adequate dietary intakes of food-based macro- and micronutrients rich in β-carotene and Vitamins A, E, and C can both prevent deterioration in breast cancer patients’ nutritional health and improve their overall prognosis. [5]

A review of research published in the October 1996 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association showed that 70% or more of the clinical studies found a link between cruciferous vegetables and protection against cancer. [6] 

A 2007 study, however, expressly noted: “evidence of an inverse association between cruciferous vegetable intake and breast or prostate cancer in humans is limited and inconsistent.” [7]

The anticancer role of the Mediterranean diet

Tiffany M. Newman, with Wake Forest University’s Department of Cancer Biology, reported in 2019 that among 2,034 breast cancer patients studied, the Mediterranean diet is considered one of the healthiest of all dietary patterns. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet protects against diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. A Mediterranean diet was associated with a lower risk for women with all subtypes of breast cancer, and a Western diet pattern was associated with higher risk.

Newman noted epidemiological data supports the impact of dietary pattern on breast cancer risk. Western diet consumption elevates breast cancer risk, while the use of a Mediterranean diet reduces breast cancer risk. She proposed that regulation of the gut and mammary microbiome may be a key influencer on the anticancer role of the Mediterranean diet. Current research detailing the gut microbiome suggests a potential mechanism for dietary influence on cancer risk through inflammation. Restoring balance to the gut microbiome may prove a viable option for the reduction of diet-mediated cancer risks and prognosis factors. [8]

We know that bacteria thrive within us, but did you know bacteria also live in a woman’s breast tissue – the mammary microbiome, mentioned earlier? Researchers believe the microbes may have an effect on breast cancer, according to Gregor Reid, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Western University.

Reid and his team analyzed bacterial DNA found in breast tissue samples from 58 women who were undergoing lumpectomies or mastectomies for either benign or cancerous tumors. They also studied 23 healthy women who had undergone breast reductions or enhancements. The data showed that women with breast cancer had higher levels of some types of bacteria, including Enterobacteriaceae, staphylococcus, and bacillus. Women without cancer had higher levels of other types, such as lactococcus and streptococcus. [9]

In April 2020, a systematic review and meta‐analysis of prospective studies relating to fiber consumption and breast cancer incidence were released by the American Cancer Society. The authors identified 17 cohort studies, 2 nested case-control studies, and 1 clinical trial study. The results showed total fiber consumption was associated with an 8% lower risk of breast cancer.

The researchers, again led by Harvard’s Maryam Farvid, also found that it was only soluble fiber (a substance able to be dissolved, especially in water). Soluble fiber is the most substantial element in foods like beans, lentils, nuts, oatmeal, and peas that had a significant association with reduced breast cancer rates. (Soluble fiber slows digestion and becomes a gel-like substance in the colon.) Future research questions should address the decreased breast cancer incidence as a function of time adhering to a fiber-centric diet.

Insoluble fiber – found in whole grains and cannot be dissolved by the body – also was suggested to reduce the risk of cancer. The effect, however, was not statistically significant. (Both soluble and insoluble fiber are found in varying levels in most foods containing fiber.)

“Our study contributes to the evidence that lifestyle factors, such as modifiable dietary practices, may affect breast cancer risk,” said Dr. Farvid. “Our findings provide research evidence supporting the American Cancer Society dietary guidelines, emphasizing the importance of a diet rich in fiber, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.” [10]

Why cruciferous veggies are good for you

What do kale, arugula, and Brussels sprouts have in common? Aside from being the basis for trend-setting vegetable recipes, they’re all delicious cruciferous vegetables and pack a potent 1-2 punch for nutrition and fighting inflammation.

Fun fact: The name “cruciferous” is an informal classification for members of the mustard family and comes from the Latin Cruciferae, meaning “cross-bearing” because the four petals resemble a cross.

Benefits of cruciferous vegetables:

• Contain Cancer-Fighting Compounds
• Reduce Inflammation
• Regulate Blood Sugar
• Promote Weight Loss
• Enhance Heart Health
• Promote Estrogen Balance

While these veggies grow in all different colors, shapes, and sizes, they share several nutritional benefits. Most cruciferous veggies are rich in vitamins and minerals such as folate and Vitamin K. Dark green cruciferous veggies also are an excellent source of Vitamins A and C. They’re also rich in phytonutrients – plant-based compounds that may help to lower inflammation and reduce the risk of developing cancer.

Cruciferous vegetables include:

• Arugula
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Collard greens
• Kale
• Mustard greens
• Radish
• Rutabaga
• Turnip
• Watercress

Cruciferous vegetables are rich in fiber and low-calorie. Fiber is an essential nutrient to incorporate if weight loss is the goal, as it helps keep you fuller longer.

Cruciferous veggies are also good sources of phytonutrients, which are plant-based compounds that may help lower inflammation and reduce the risk of developing cancer.

In vitro studies have shown sulforaphane, a phytochemical found in cruciferous vegetables, can stimulate enzymes in the body that detoxify carcinogens before they damage cells. [11]

Also present in cruciferous vegetables are glucosinolates. These chemicals are not only responsible for the aroma and flavor of these plants, but they also have been shown to have anticancer effects. According to the National Cancer Institute, studies in rats and mice have demonstrated that indoles and isothiocyanates, the compounds that form from broken down glucosinolates, protect cells from DNA damage, inactivate carcinogens, and have antibacterial and antiviral effects. [12]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends adult women should eat 2.5 cups of vegetables per day; adult men should have 3 cups. One cup of cooked or raw broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or cauliflower counts as 1 cup of vegetables. Two cups of leafy greens, like kale or arugula, count as 1 cup from the vegetable group. [13]

Your total vegetable intake doesn’t have to come from cruciferous vegetables. Still, they should be incorporated daily for maximum health benefits.

The American Cancer Society recommendations for nutrition and physical activity for cancer prevention include:

• Achieve and maintain a healthy weight throughout life.
• Adopt a physically active lifestyle.
• Consume a healthy diet with an emphasis on plant-based foods
• Limit the amount of processed and red meats:
  • Eat at least 2.5 cups of vegetables and fruits a day.
  • Choose whole grains instead of refined grain products.
  • Drink no more than 1 alcoholic drink per day (women).

Summary of Science

Overall, the connection between reducing the risk of breast cancer and a high-fiber diet is rooted in the nutritional research. In 2020, an American Cancer Society review of 20 different studies related to fiber consumption and breast cancer incidence shows total fiber consumption is associated with an 8% lower risk of breast cancer.

A key ingredient to maximizing a healthy diet is cruciferous vegetables, which have nutritional and inflammation-fighting value. These veggies also have phytonutrients and glucosinolates, which have been shown to have anticancer effects.

Cancer Tutor encourages patients to discuss diet and nutritional goals with their doctor and nutritionist. Together you can develop a sustainable plan that will address individual needs for a healthier lifestyle.

FAQs

The post Breast cancer and a high-fiber diet appeared first on Cancer Tutor.

Among those who have tried alternative protocols include actors, presidents, and technology geniuses. As with any cancer treatment – conventional or alternative – there are no guarantees, but it does raise the interesting question of why. Why, with advances in conventional medical technology, would those with the most exceptional healthcare access choose to look outside the box?

What's interesting is how this may or may not have influenced conventional medicine to begin rethinking how they view the treatment of cancer. For instance, an industry that used to destroy the immune system with chemotherapy now recognizes that building the immune system and overall health aids in the efficacy of conventional treatments.

In more recent years, it's come to replace the old methods, as was the case with President Jimmy Carter. His melanoma was treated exclusively with immunotherapy-, an approach holistic medicine has been touting for years. 

Olivia Newton-John

Diagnosis: breast cancer
Treatment: conventional and alternative medicine
Outcome: 30-year survivor

The co-star opposite John Travolta in the musical Grease has been battling breast cancer for nearly 30 years. During those three decades, she's learned not to rely solely on the advice and treatments of conventional medicine. 

Diagnosed in 1992, Newton-John had the entire arsenal of cancer assault mechanisms known to conventional medicine – mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, and hormone therapy. Her cancer returned twice since, and she has decided against chemotherapy. And while Newton-John has incorporated radiation into her regimen, she's also emphasized a more holistic approach to what is now Stage IV cancer. By integrating holistic medicine practices, she's helped strengthen immunity, fight pain, and, she hopes, kill cancer.

These alternative treatments include extracts from cannabis and certain mushrooms, Vitamin B17, Vitamin D, and high doses of Vitamin C.

Newton-John has since opened the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre in Heidelberg, Australia. Patients receive an integrative approach to cancer treatment that incorporates conventional treatment with holistic practices.

Fran Drescher

The Jewish-American actress with the distinctive voice is famous twice: first for her semi-autobiographical show The Nanny and then for her resolute response to a cancer diagnosis.

During her final season of The Nanny in 1999, Drescher was beginning a new season of life and starting a new journey with her health.  

Eventually recognized by doctors as uterine cancer, her condition was addressed as peri-menopausal. This misdiagnosis delayed the treatment she needed while subjecting her body to treatments she did not need.

When she finally emerged from this long dark period of her life – which included a radical hysterectomy – Drescher found herself with a story to tell and a movement to lead. Her experience led to writing a book, Cancer Schmancer, and launching a foundation by the same name.  

Her celebrity became her platform not to raise money for foundations or institutions but rather to encourage reform in the way American's treated their health. She's using her platform to help people battle cancer before it begins by addressing lifestyle changes – diet, exercise, stress level, etc.

She supports a holistic view of medical care, strengthening the body to fight for itself rather than relying solely on what she calls the American “sick care system.”

Suzanne Somers

Following Suzanne Somers' breast cancer diagnosis in 2001, she addressed it the way most women do – surgery to remove tumors and radiation to zap the remaining cancer cells. But she decided against chemotherapy.

Instead of decimating her immune system, she decided to strengthen her body's natural defenses. The approach allowed her to weaken and kill cancer cells lurking in the shadows. She turned to a little-known drug called Iscador, a mistletoe extract that's shown in studies to kill cancer and bolster immunities. 

Through the years since her diagnosis, the Three's Company star has interviewed dozens of patients and doctors about cancer prevention through diet, detox, and natural cancer treatment protocols. She details her findings in the book Knock Out.

Ronald Reagan

The 40th President of the United States was famously diagnosed with bouts of skin cancer, which he had surgically removed. And then, amid The Cold War tensions between the United States and Russia, President Reagan faced a threat from the inside. Inside his colon. Doctors identified and removed a cancerous polyp to prevent spread.  

So just weeks into his second term, surgeons resected two feet of The Gipper's large intestine. What isn't as widely known about the POTUS is that he decided against chemotherapy or radiation. 

There are reports that Reagan received intravenous treatments of laetrile, a compound also known as Amygdalin found in the seeds of apricots and other fruits. Reagan also may have received oxygen therapy. 

Jimmy Carter

In 2015 Jimmy Carter sought treatment for metastatic melanoma using immune mechanisms that the natural cancer treatment community has highlighted for decades.

Utilizing the immunotherapy drug Keytruda, doctors made Carter's natural immune defenses “smarter” and more precise in attacking the abnormal cell growth in his brain and liver. Only a handful of years ago, conventional medicine would have performed a widespread annihilation of Carter's immune system while trying to wipe out cancer with chemical warfare and radiation. 

At 91 years old, Carter likely would not have even survived conventional cancer treatment – let alone cancer he was trying to treat. Now the mainstream medical community is developing and patenting drugs to strengthen and enhance the immune system. These modalities allow the body to fight without chemicals and procedures that would weaken its natural defenses.

Natural formulations like Beta 1 3D Beta Glucan and other natural immune-enhancing supplements have worked effectively by similarly helping the immune system target foreign bodies, including abnormal cell growth.

Immunotherapy in modern oncology is an encouraging development that affirms at least some practices of holistic medicine. The approach signals a turning point for conventional methods that historically have been governed more by industrial modalities than by health-focused innovation.

Tommy Chong

The Chong half of the 1970s comedy duo Cheech & Chong, Tommy Chong, says prison gave him prostate cancer, and his reason for jail time, in part, provided what he has called the cure. In 2003 he served 9 months for selling pot pipes and says he can trace his slow-growing prostate cancer to his time in prison. 

“I was totally healthy when I went in jail … and then while I was in jail, I was clean as a whistle, and I started having problems with my prostate,” he said in an interview with CNN. “So, yeah, I think I got [cancer] there.”

When he was diagnosed with the disease several years later, the then 74-year-old said he had given up smoking marijuana. But then he started using the plant in the form of suppositories to “treat” his cancer. 

Whatever Chong's motive in utilizing cannabis during his battle with cancer, the actor might have benefited himself in the fight. Some studies have shown that cannabinoids, chemicals found in cannabis, might program specific prostate cancer cells to stop growing and multiplying.   

Steve Jobs

The illustrious mind behind Apple Inc. is perhaps viewed with the most medical suspicion among the many celebrities to address their cancer diagnosis with unconventional treatments.

Jobs undoubtedly is among the best known of these celebrities, in part because of the lengthy Walter Isaacson biography that detailed Jobs' diagnosis, subsequent treatment plans, and final years of life. And because of his illness, he also very visibly stepped down from his responsibilities as CEO of the most innovative tech company in history. 

So why would this technological genius eschew the medical technology available at the time to treat him? As he did with most areas of his life, Steve Jobs approached his diet and health in somewhat quirky ways. While working at Atari, for instance, he reportedly denounced daily showers and deodorant, believing that his diet would keep him from needing those conventional hygiene regimens.

So in 2003, when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer while being scanned for kidney stones, he followed the path he'd followed most of his life: the road less traveled. Instead of pursuing the conventional route of surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy, Jobs attacked his diagnosis by strengthening his body's ability to fight cancer. But this was not a haphazard decision. After all, the rare form of pancreatic cancer – islet cell carcinoma – was slow-growing and highly treatable.

He consulted with some of the best medical minds available. Still, he concluded that he would aggressively change his lifestyle instead of being cut open or zapped. About a recommended surgical procedure, he told one confidante: “I really didn't want them to open up my body.” 

It's easy to suggest that Jobs was just stubborn in his initial refusal of conventional medical treatments. His stubbornness and individuality branched into every decision he made. He also weighed the detriment of gambling with chemicals and surgery and the limits they might place on his ability to perform at optimal levels for whatever years he had left. 

There are few details available about exactly what Jobs did during the months that he treated his cancer. He was a relatively private man, but a few things are clear.

The lifelong adherent to a mostly plant-based diet became even more restrictive in his veganism and added to this discipline a regular intake of herbs, botanicals, and juices. He visited acupuncturists and also explored the spiritual side of physical healing.

Nine months into this treatment, a scan revealed his tumor had grown and had likely moved outside the pancreas. Perhaps he was disappointed, but he wasn't defeated. He finally went in for the recommended surgery to have the tumor removed. Then he turned his attention and vast resources to pursuing cutting edge, experimental treatments through MIT and Harvard. Among the testing was genetic sequencing of the tumor to treat it at the molecular level.   

“I'm either going to be one of the first to be able to outrun a cancer like this, or I'm going to be one of the last to die from it,” Jobs told Isaacson in early 2011. “Either among the first to make it to share or the last to get dumped.”

Coretta Scott King

After fighting alongside husband Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the struggle for civil rights, Coretta Scott King faced a battle with ovarian cancer in 2005. The diagnosis came while recovering from a stroke.

Doctors in the United States gave her very little hope for successful treatment through conventional medicine. So, she traveled to a clinic in Mexico, hoping alternative medical options might provide more promise. 

Sadly, Mrs. King was unable to make it to the treatment given the advanced stage of her diagnosis and other health issues. She passed away at the clinic in 2005.

Steve McQueen

After making his film debut in 1953, Hollywood Legend Steve McQueen would go on to star in dozens of successful films and television shows. For more than two decades, McQueen made a name for himself as a rugged, tough guy on screen and in the Hollywood hills.

In 1979, doctors detected a cancerous mass on his lungs. McQueen's military career exposed him to asbestos, and a reported two-pack-per-day cigarette habit contributed to the mesothelioma that set up in his lungs.

McQueen and his medical team determined no conventional medical intervention could treat his cancer. He sought the opinion of alternative medicine practitioners, including a clinic in Juarez, Mexico. 

At the clinic, he was on a regimen of organic foods, high doses of vitamins, and intramuscular injection of animal cells. These increased the production of interferon, a protein that enables the body's natural defenses to ward off viruses and, presumably, fight cancer. 

Already weak from aggressive cancer, McQueen was recovering after surgery to remove a cancerous mass pressing on his lungs. He suffered an embolism that took his life less than one year after diagnosis.

Farrah Fawcett

In 2006 the Charlie's Angels star was diagnosed with Anal Cancer, a form of cancer caused by an anal infection of HPV (Human Papilloma Virus). Fawcett's cancer went into remission following conventional treatment. But then cancer returned, so she turned to alternative therapies available in Germany.

Trying to avoid surgery that would require the use of a colostomy bag, she made six trips to Germany for treatments. Unfortunately, the disease spread to her liver during this time, and treatments became ineffective. She died of cancer in 2009.

Sharyn Wynters

Diagnosis: cancer and other health issues
Treatment: aggressive holistic diet and removal of toxins
Outcome: cancer survivor of more than 30 years

More than 30 years ago, Sharyn Wynters' life took a sharp turn after receiving some dire news about her health. She'd been Miss Pennsylvania, played a role in the original Batman television series, and was a successful fashion model. But then, in her 20s and with her career on the rise, she became a cancer patient.

Doctors painted a grim portrait of her future as they described the disease. Wynters, however, did not take this news with resignation. Instead, the career detour became a destination.

Instead of taking the absolute word of conventional medicine, Wynters was empowered to take control of the diagnosis. She began removing toxins from her household, cosmetics, clothing, foods, and even from the fillings in her teeth. Through whole-food and toxin-free living, Wynters saw her health slowly improve as she held cancer at bay.

During the course of recovery, she was immersed in the study of complementary medicine and became a practitioner herself, empowering others to take control of their health.

Lourdes Reynolds

Diagnosis: Hodgkin's lymphoma 2010
Treatment: vegan diet, aggressive lifestyle changes, complementary medicine
Outcome: survivor of more than a decade

At the height of her career, actress Lourdes Reynolds already had appeared in multiple television series and had recently landed an acting role on the CBS series Without a Trace. But in 2010, she also was diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

She was given two options by her doctors: A) do nothing and let the cancer run its course or B) submit to conventional treatments that could include chemotherapy or radiation. Reynolds decided to pursue her own option: C) strengthen her own body’s ability to fight back by changing her lifestyle and her diet.

But instead of battling cancer behind the scenes and behind closed doors, Reynolds and her husband decided this battle was important to show the world, documenting step by step along the way of her treatment and recovery. The documentaries Create Option C and Option C chronicle Reynolds' life before cancer and the bold decision to forego conventional medicine.

She armed herself with knowledge about gene expressions, the mechanisms by which cancer “turns on.” She discovered research about the relationship between environment, diet, and lifestyle and the activation of certain gene expressions that produce abnormal cell growth. Through her vegan diet and a number of other radical changes in her day to day living, Reynolds has been successful in warding off what was once a death sentence.

Don Imus

Diagnosis: prostate cancer
Treatment: holistic medicine and dietary modifications
Outcome: lived for 10 years after diagnosis

A popular radio talkshow host of more than four decades, Don Imus was no stranger to controversy. And when diagnosed with Stage II prostate cancer in 2009, he embraced the controversy of a treatment regimen that veered away from conventional radiation, chemotherapy, or surgery in favor of a holistic approach.

Imus had struggled with alcoholism and had, in his final years, also suffered from emphysema. He had adopted a vegetarian diet in the early 1990s. Following his cancer diagnosis, he added such dietary items as habanero peppers and Japanese soy supplements.

For more than a decade Imus and his wife had hosted children with cancer at their New Mexico ranch, where these kids did manual labor and ultimately competed in a rodeo. Perhaps he decided that he’d rather fight cancer on his own terms – the way one might tame a horse, an animal Imus had both cherished and been injured by through the years. After 10 years, though, Imus succumbed to cancer in combination with other health issues.

Angie Lima

Diagnosis: breast cancer
Treatment: both conventional and complementary
Outcome: cancer survivor

When Angie Lima was diagnosed at 33 with breast cancer, she recalled stories of the grandfather she never met. He died of lung cancer before Angie was born. The chemotherapy and radiation he underwent ravaged and weakened his body; she vowed never to subject herself to these types of toxic treatment regimens.

As an avid and health-conscious athlete, Angie faced her diagnosis the way she faced any competitive challenge – with full attention and vigor. She pursued every possible holistic treatment possibility. This, of course, included a strict whole-food diet and incorporating essential oils, herbs, and other non-conventional treatments.

Eventually, though, she did use a number of other therapies including hypnotherapy, chemotherapy, IV therapy, immunotherapy, light therapy, and ultimately a mastectomy. She also maintains a strong faith in God as the ultimate healer of any disease.

Her cancer journey is chronicled in the documentary Hope for Breast Cancer.

The post Celebrities who sought natural cancer treatments appeared first on Cancer Tutor.

We’ve all been there, and it is the worst. Some of us just get up, pour a cup o’ joe, and tackle the day … only to be exhausted and reaching for more fuel by noon. Others stare at the ceiling, trying to will themselves back to dreamland (even if it’s only for a few precious hours).

Not only is sleep important for our well-being, but it is essential to get good quality sleep. If you’re tossing and turning throughout the night, one problem may be your body temperature. Research provides sufficient evidence that breast cancer patients are frequently deficient in achieving thermal comfort. In essence, they feel excessively hot or cold. [1]

So, if we spend one-quarter to one-third of our lives sleeping, shouldn’t we try to do it as peacefully and comfortably as possible? After all, your circadian rhythm – your 24-hour “internal clock” – knows when it’s time to get up and when it’s time to go to sleep. It’s just another example of listening to your body.

Let’s take a look at how temperature, the circadian rhythm, and cancer affects sleep patterns:

Why your body temperature matters 

Sleep looks like a passive state of being. However, many functions – those that promote well-being and are closely linked to our quality of life – do optimum work while the body is resting.

Are you the type who turns down the thermostat before bed to arctic temperatures with your fan blasting on high? Or are you the type who has not one, not two, but three blankets to keep you cozy?

Commonly people go to bed clothed and under their bedding, in turn, causing heat exposure. The research concludes that heat exposure can increase wakefulness during sleep stages. [2]

The thermal environment is a crucial determinant of sleep because thermoregulation is strongly linked to the mechanism that regulates sleep. Excessively high or low ambient temperature may affect sleep even in healthy humans without insomnia.

Furthermore, disturbed nocturnal sleep affects all aspects of daily life, not only daytime activities. It also is related to various adverse health effects, such as obesity, quality of life, and even mortality. These findings indicate that maintaining a comfortable thermal sleep environment is vital for sleep maintenance as well as daytime activities and health status. [3]

The importance of circadian rhythm

The hypothalamus, a portion of your brain, controls your circadian rhythm. Environmental components – temperature and light – are among the factors that control signaling to the hypothalamus that it is time to wake up or to go to bed. [4]

There seems to be a connection between melatonin suppression and the context of the circadian rhythm. [5] The pineal gland is a small pea-shaped gland found in your brain that regulates hormones, including melatonin, which plays a fundamental role in regulating circadian rhythm.

Once the sun goes down, the pineal gland is turned on and produces melatonin. As the melatonin in your blood rises, your body is signaled that it’s time to go to sleep. Research shows melatonin also has a significant impact on the immune system (immune cell trafficking and cytokine production), thus helping it manage and fight malignancies. [6]

A 2014 study found that a lack of sleep can cause cellular damage, DNA replication errors, and metabolic abnormalities. This provides a possible link between sleep loss and increased disease and cancer risk. [7] We know that cancer cells are abnormal and damaged, and are incapable of adequately controlling their growth and replication. Thus, taking care of our cellular health – including quality sleep – is essential.

Research on chronic irregular sleep is evident. Disrupted sleep has strong links to increased risk of breast, prostate, and thyroid cancers. [8-10] Changing your daily habits to make sure you are getting a sufficient amount of sleep is a short-term issue; you can efficiently resolve this to lower your cancer risks.

How sleep influences a cancer patient

Sleep is complicated, but when you add cancer to the mix, things get more involved.

Dr. Lois Krahn, who has been conducting research and clinical practice as a sleep medicine specialist for more than 20 years, estimates 75% of people with cancer have insomnia or another sleep disorder. A faculty member at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona, Dr. Krahn also notes 80% of cancer patients have fatigue.

“So many things are happening while we're asleep,” says Amanda Phipps, an epidemiologist and researcher at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. “It's a time when we most efficiently repair DNA damage. The body is also doing things like controlling the growth of cells, turning on certain genes, and switching off others, and promoting the immune system. [11]

“Sleep is a time for repair and restoration of our bodies, but it's more than just that,” Phipps adds. “It's also building up our immune systems so we can better protect ourselves during the day.”

Technology, tools to help you sleep better

Technology has come a long way, and it’s incredible to see all the tools available to help our everyday lives. Here are some great tools that may help you catch up on sleep. 

ChiliPAD: Ideally, our body’s core temperature should drop with our sleep-wake schedule. Many of us suffice with cranking down the thermostat or using fans. The chiliPAD sleep system consists of a hydro-powered mattress pad, thermal regulating control unit(s), and a remote, making it perfect for one or two sleepers. This system utilizes water and operates between 55-115°F (13-46°C), helping encourage quality, restorative sleep. [12] 

Weighted Blankets: Weighted blankets typically weigh between 5 and 30 pounds and mimic deep pressure stimulation, a therapeutic pressure technique. Anxiety can wreak havoc on your sleep. The research was done on the safety and effectiveness of 30-pound weighted blankets on 32 adults. The results revealed 63% reported lower anxiety, and 78% preferred the blanket as a calming modality. [13]

Ebb sleep with precision cool technology: Research shows that cooling the forehead (interface for your cerebral cortex) may help with insomnia. A study tested cerebral thermal transfer using a cap filled with tubes of circulating water on 12 patients with primary insomnia and 12 healthy patients. The patients with insomnia were able to sleep as well as healthy patients using the therapy. [14] Ebb sleep is a triple-layered headband that allows for ideal-temperature cooling to hit just the right spots of your head, to calm and enable deep sleep. 

There also are habits that can impact your sleep routine:

• Put away your phone and turn off the TV. It’s easier said than done, but try to avoid electronic devices that put off a bright light at least 1 hour before bed. (Also, use nighttime settings – a dimmer lighter – on your devices.)
• Do not share the bed with the family pet. Their sleep rhythms differ from ours, and when Fido is running in his dreams, it wakes you up. This can be very disruptive to your internal sleep clock, especially if this is happening daily.
• Caffeine should be avoided at least 6 hours before bed. 
• Alcohol is a known carcinogen, but if you are going to have that nightcap, try to do it at least 3 hours before bed. Alcohol can suppress melatonin and disrupt your circadian rhythm. [15]
• Late-night snacking and meals should be finished 2-3 hours before bed. That gives your digestive tract plenty of time to break down your food, in turn avoiding late-night heartburn and indigestion that can impact your sleep.

Conclusion

Sleep is essential to our overall health. You can feel it when you don't get enough sleep; you become groggy, tired, and irritable. That is just our body's way of saying, “Hey, I need sleep!”

Life stressors, including cancer and even cancer treatments, might be a contributing factor to why you are not getting enough shut-eye.

If you think you may have insomnia or another sleep disorder, it is essential to talk with your physician; there are options that can help.

FAQ’s

The post Thermoregulation and sleep: Achieving the body’s optimum temperature appeared first on Cancer Tutor.

In a time of need, are you prepared to care for a family member or friend?

There are many types of caregivers. The needs of each are unique. But at the heart of caregiving is compassion for a fellow human being.

As we will layout, there is no one way to be a caregiver. We will address four key topics – what a caregiver is, communication, caregiving self-care, and resources – and explain the importance of mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

Now, you may be wondering, “How hard can it be?” Extremely. Bathing, dressing, using the restroom, diet, nutrition, and finances – all of these are essential to everyday life. For someone in need of care, these can be life-and-death decisions.

A caregiver generally is not a medical professional. We will offer tips on how to communicate with a healthcare team. (And do not be afraid to ask questions!)

During your time as a caregiver, it’s important to remember your feelings, your emotions, your life. Being a caregiver can be an emotional roller coaster, making it difficult to balance caregiver duties with your other life responsibilities.

But you can do this! Throughout this guide, keep in mind that we don’t have all the answers. Each caregiver situation is unique, but our experts do offer a broad overview of the process.

Communication is key. If you feel trapped with no one to talk to, know there is help. Take advantage of the resources in this guide. Remember: You’re always one of only four kinds of people in the world.

Caregiver 101

This article is a reference, not necessarily something you need to read top to bottom, though, you could! Its aim is to help caregivers navigate their role as efficiently and practically as possible while also giving them the support they need to be the best caregivers they can be.

Topics include:

What is a caregiver?
This section provides information on who a caregiver is/can be and what their role is in the patient's cancer journey including assisting with the patients’ physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs.

Communication
We cover how to effectively communicate with patients who are dealing with a cancer diagnosis, and treatment choices. It also covers how to be a patient's advocate in communication with their medical team to be sure the patient's wishes are being heard. Lastly, it covers how to speak with other family and friends in sharing the patient's cancer journey and balancing the needs of the patient with the needs and desires of friends and family.

Caregiving Self-care
You'll need to take care of yourself, too! Caring for a loved one with cancer can be confusing and exhausting mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We share tips you can use to keep yourself as healthy as possible so that you can put your best foot forward for the patient through their cancer journey.

Caregiving Resources
Offering online resources and support for caregivers and provides tools for finding local support and resources.

This article is intended to equip caregivers with helpful information and practical tools to fulfill the needs of both the patient and themselves, including:

• a better understanding of what your loved one is experiencing;
• practical ways to support your loved one; 
• ways to communicate with the patient, medical teams, and other family and friends;
• keeping your needs in sight;  
• resources for getting support in your caregiving efforts.

Cancer Tutor encourages caregivers to take control of the situation, to not allow circumstances to dictate your physical and emotional well-being. Empowering yourself begins now.

• Download .pdf: Support Team | Caregiver Plan

Understanding your role as a caregiver

“The closest thing to being cared for is to care for someone else.”
― Carson McCullers, The Square Root of Wonderful

A caregiver is a person who provides practical, physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual support to a cancer patient. People who fill this role can range from spouses to family members, friends, or members of the community. Care levels can range from regular visits and check-ups with the patient, to providing 24-hour care. 

What does a caregiver do?

Dee Braun, who is in the natural health field, has experience being a caregiver for cancer patients. She shares her experience:

“If the cancer patient is doing well, obviously it wouldn't need to be a 24-hour job. But, they are the person who sees and hears the most about what the patient is going through. They are the one who is – for those of us who are parents, it is very similar to parenting. Take your medicine, yes you need to eat. Listening to thoughts and questions, and regrets and everything that a cancer patient may not want to talk about.

“It can be physical like carry oxygen tanks, helping the patient in and out of chairs, in and out of bed, help them bathe, help them in the shower. Helping with wheelchairs and walkers.”

Responsibilities can include daily tasks such as dressing, giving medication, meal preparation, accompanying a patient to a medical appointment, or offering emotional support when a patient needs it. 

Caregiver responsibilities can include some, or all, of the following:

Physical health

Physical care will depend on the needs of the patient. Some ways in which a caregiver can help with the patient's physical needs include:

Medical interventions and medications 

A patient may need a nurse to manage wound care, medical equipment or other medical interventions. Learn about the medications and procedures the patient is currently receiving and ask questions to the medical care team to learn what they are and what they do. The patient may also be taking medication for other chronic ailments like high blood pressure or diabetes. The more you know, the easier it will be for you to understand what is happening on a daily basis for the patient, and, the easier you will be able to perform your caregiving goals. 

A list of medical topics that are helpful for you to know include:

• specific diagnosis and staging
• medications
• any side effects the patient may experience and how to manage them 
• length of any treatments
• any risks and benefits of a specific treatment 
• other treatments that may be available to the patient
• where you can receive more information
• a medical team contact if you have any questions

Comfort 

Depending on how mobile your patient is, physical care may include helping the patient move around in bed, offering gentle massage, assisting with getting dressed, or getting a blanket or pillows. Help with pain management may also play a role. Learn what helps, and when pain medications or other treatments are necessary.

Nutrition 

A healthy diet can give a cancer patient a running start through, and beyond, treatment. Make nutritionally dense, whole foods regularly available to your patient. Certain treatments can cause a patient to feel nausea making it difficult for them to eat. Do your best to offer them simple, easy on the stomach food choices. In some cases, food is being used as a means of treating cancer. If this is the case for your patient, learn all you can about their chosen diet so you can help them fulfill the diet requirements.

Exercise 

Depending on your patient's physical abilities, you will want to keep them as active as they can be throughout treatment. Short walks, chair exercises, light hand weights, and even yoga may all be appropriate.

Sleep 

Healing from cancer takes a lot of energy. Cancer patients need their sleep. Sometimes, it will seem they sleep a lot. This isn't surprising for someone who is on a healing journey. Encourage your patients to get regular sleep and all the naps they need to feel well-rested.

Mental health

Keeping a clear mind can be very difficult for a cancer patient. Helping them stay organized and helping with reminders for medications, doctors appointments, and other things can relieve a huge burden for the patient, so they can put that energy toward healing.

To add to the pressure of some cancer patients, they may experience what is known as, “chemo brain”. The Mayo Clinic describes the chemo brain as, “a common term used by cancer survivors to describe thinking and memory problems that can occur during and after cancer treatment. Chemo brain can also be called chemo fog, cancer-related cognitive impairment or cognitive dysfunction.”

This can be incredibly frustrating and debilitating to the patient, and caregivers need to keep their condition top of mind when communicating with the patient. If a patient is dealing with chemo brain it is important to keep track of any symptoms they may be having in order to report them to their healthcare team.

Emotional health

It is important to be aware of the state of your patient's mental health. Experiencing an emotional low can be expected in newly diagnosed cancer patients. However, sometimes, it can be more than just a situational low. Do they seem angry? Anxious? Depressed? If so, follow up with encouraging them to get professional help. Taking care of mental health issues as early as possible will go a long way in the patient managing treatment and recovery effectively.

Spiritual health

Today, there is a large body of research that supports the idea that spiritual well being can contribute directly to healing. Prayer, meditation, mindfulness, and other tools, along with having a strong spiritual support community has been proven to directly affect health in a positive way.

Helping with treatment decisions

More often than not, a patient can be so overwhelmed with information and emotional and mental distractions that they will need help making decisions. Remember, you are part of a team. Get all the facts straight and present them to the patient in as clear a manner as possible.

In the end, it is the cancer patient who must make the final decisions in relation to their treatments. Making these decisions can mean giving the patient a feeling that they are being proactive and can help them feel more in control of their situation. It is important to be supportive of their decisions.

Making a caregiver plan

There are several things to think about when creating a caregiver plan for your patient. This guide supplies a Caregiver Plan Worksheet below that you can use to keep track of some of the caregiving responsibilities, help you document important information, stay organized, and make the job of caregiving more manageable.

Communication strategies

“As your care recipient’s advocate, be involved, don’t accept the status quo, and don’t be afraid to voice your concerns.”
― Nancy L. Kriseman, Mindful Caregiver: Finding Ease in the Caregiving Journey

Talking with the cancer patient

A cancer diagnosis can stir many different feelings in a patient and their family. Feelings of fear, sadness, anger, and helplessness are extremely common. Honest, productive communication can help temper some of these feelings. Having a caregiver provide practical support along with a comforting presence can be invaluable for a patient. 

Cancer and natural integrative treatments

Understand that the ultimate health care decisions are to be made by the patient. As a caregiver, it can be difficult when you believe a different treatment than what they’ve chosen is better, especially when it comes to unconventional treatments.

Natural health advocate Dee Braun explores how to approach this topic with the patient:

“Well, first of all, do your own research and have the information, take notes, bookmark websites and let them know what you found. You are not talking them into anything. You are providing information and present it to them and then realize that that is all you can do. You cannot make up their minds for them. You cannot talk them into taking the natural route. You cannot change them into staying away from chemo by saying it's poison. You cannot resent it if that's what they chose. Your role and the role of all family and friends are to present solid information and support their choices because it is their life, not yours.”

Some ways you can provide open, effective communication include:

Allowing the patient to guide conversations 

Let them decide what they'd like to talk about. Don't pressure the patient to talk about something they aren't ready or willing to discuss. Let them set the pace of their own openness.

Choosing your words carefully 

Expressing acknowledgment of how difficult the experience is for the patient can go a long way. This can include saying something as simple as, “That must be really hard,” instead of, “I know how you feel.”

Honesty 

Honesty opens the way for better communication, though, it is important not to dwell too much on your own struggles. Be brief and then make space for moving the conversation on. If you are at a loss for words, tell them that instead of avoiding them. Sometimes sharing silence is the best approach.

Indirect communication 

What you don't say can be just as important as what you do say. While offering verbal support to the patient is a start, it is also important to show them that the line of communication is open. Simple gestures like eye contact, facial expressions, and even just having a physical presence can convey your support.

Listening 

Sometimes a patient just needs an ear. This can also be helpful for you as the caregiver. Listening allows you to connect with the patient's experience. Give your full attention and don't worry about how to respond. Just listen.

More to life 

Encourage talking about topics you know the patient enjoys, or topics about ‘regular' life. This can give them a sense of normalcy and continuity.

Encouraging life involvement 

Help the patient keep engaged in life, in whatever capacity they are able. Promote active participation in household chores, errands, appointments, school, pets, and community functions. This can help a patient feel like they are still participating in life, despite their diagnosis and treatment.

Talking with the healthcare team

Effective communication between caregivers and patients and the medical team can be critical to the best outcomes, both physically and emotionally, for the patient. Keep an open dialog going with the medical team so they can better understand the patient’s wants, needs, and feelings. A caregiver can be an effective advocate for a patient by:

Being Present

Being present at appointments or during other times when the patient interacts with their healthcare team offers both support to the patient, as well as a second set of ears to sort through the medical details.

Identifying yourself as a caregiver 

When the medical team recognizes you as a caregiver you are providing them with a communication point that extends beyond the patient. With the patient’s permission, they will be able to share medical details with you to help you give the best care you can give.

Listening 

Listening carefully to what the medical team says is important in understanding the medical care choices of the team. Taking notes can be helpful, here, as sometimes it's hard to remember or understand what they say. This will give you the opportunity to do any research you would like to do so you can best understand the care they are giving the patient. It is also helpful so you are able to better explain to the patient what is happening as, sometimes, the patient is overwhelmed and doesn't have much mental room for details.

Ask questions 

Don't be afraid to ask questions if you or the patient are confused or don't understand something. Ask questions the patient has shared with you if they are unable, as well as any questions you may have, yourself. Again, two heads are better than one and more ground can be covered so you have a broader, more accurate perspective and understanding of the situation.

Medical team contact 

Be sure to document contact information for medical care team members in case you have any questions or concerns that need to be quickly addressed.

Talking with family and friends

As the patient's caregiver, you may be the liaison between the patient and the rest of their family and friends. In this capacity, a caregiver may need to convey important information about the patient to others. Effective ways to communicate with other family members and friends in a caregiver capacity may include:

Giving medical updates 

This is where keeping notes come in handy. Giving family members regular updates can keep curiosity and concern satisfied and help family and friends process the situation, as needed.

Take the lead in communication

Some family and friends may avoid communication with the patient as they are unsure of what to say or how to help. Allowing them the space to talk about it can be therapeutic for them. It can also open the door for more natural discussion beyond cancer.

Let them help you 

If other family members or friends offer to help you, accept their help. There are many opportunities where they can help alleviate some of your responsibilities including running errands, helping with household chores, preparing meals, and even providing some respite so you can take some necessary time for yourself and the rest of your family. Just say yes!

Speaking with children 

Even without being told, children are surprisingly sensitive to what goes on around them. You may want to protect a child from a situation, but talking about it openly is almost always the best way to move forward. Communication with children need not be complicated. Simply explaining the basic situation and what is happening to their loved one can open the way for children to express their thoughts and feelings. It shows them you are open to listening to them and answering any questions they may have.

Caring for the caregiver 

“Many caregivers share that they often feel alone, isolated, and unappreciated. Mindfulness can offer renewed hope for finding support and value for your role as a caregiver.”
― Nancy L. Kriseman, Mindful Caregiver: Finding Easecb: Finding Ease in the Caregiving Journey

Importance of self-care

Don't forget about you! If you are not taking care of yourself first, it will be almost impossible to care for anyone else. Giving yourself the things you need is critical to being there for your cancer patient for the long haul. 

You need to consider several areas for self-care including physical care, mental care, emotional care, and spiritual care.

Physical health

Nutrition

Eating well can go a long way in giving your body the nutrients it needs to offer the best in both physical and mental care. Choosing nutrient-dense foods like vegetables and fruits often will help supply you with the energy and nutrients you need to keep physically healthy. Choosing a variety of vegetables and fruits daily can help you fulfill the nutritional requirements of many different vitamins and minerals so you can think less about what you're eating, and more about caregiving. Choosing more whole foods can also make it easier as they don't require much effort to prepare. Ways you can eat better include planning meals ahead of time, preparing a variety of fruits and vegetables, consume ‘good' fats, limit alcohol, salt, and sugar, avoid skipping meals.

Exercising

Take regular breaks to keep your body moving. Regular walks can go a long way in getting the circulation going, moving muscles, and even clearing your mind. Yoga can also be extremely helpful. If you find it difficult to take enough time away from the patient, try chair exercises. You can find instructions online.

Dee Braun shares her experience on fitting exercise in, as a caregiver:

“Actually, I would highly suggest that you talk the patient into getting a rebounder if they don't already, and you bounce on it too. It is low impact, it is good for you. It burns more calories than jogging without harming your joints. It's fun, and you can put on music or headphones for 5 minutes and dance around there like an idiot and it is amazing how much stress that relieves. Going for a walk, as I mentioned before. Put on a TV show that you both like, preferably a comedy, and laugh. Laugh. Some of my best memories with Ray are watching really dumb shows that I don't even like, you know, but they were funny and they gave us a brief break from all of this seriousness and the darkness.”

Aim for a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise 3 times per week. Work up to it, if you need to start slowly.

Sleep

Just like a cancer patient, the caregiver needs to get enough sleep to offer their best to the patient. Get your eight hours a night, and, don't be afraid to take cat naps if you feel they are necessary. Trust and listen to your body.

Mental health – stress and burnout 

Stress is an inevitable part of being a caregiver. Most people can handle minimal levels of stress, but filling a caregiver role can turn it up a notch. Fear and uncertainty, feeling overwhelmed with tasks, and financial pressures can all contribute to your level of stress. Unhealthy stress levels can lead to physical, mental, and emotional burnout. It can sneak up on you, especially when you are feeling overwhelmed, helpless, or depressed. 

Ways to avoid, or manage stress can include:

Recognize the signs 

Knowing what to look for is key to the effective management of stress. Symptoms may include headaches, weight fluctuation, fatigue, muscle tension, sleeping problems, and a lowered immune function.

Just say no 

Keep ‘no' in your vocabulary. When other family members request your energy or attention and you either can't give it, or don't want to give it, say no. This will avoid miscommunication, guilt, and resentment while not contributing to your stress levels. Be honest. Most times, family and friends will understand.

Me time 

Take time for yourself. Fill it with whatever you want to do, whether it's visiting someone, going for a walk, watching a movie, reading, being with animals, shopping, or even doing absolutely nothing. 

Counselor Jessica Drake, MAPPC states, “Self-care is really important so, anything the person enjoyed doing before they were a caregiver – taking time to engage in what they enjoyed so they can kind of have a period of de-stressing and releasing all the tension and turmoil of being a caregiver. That can depend on the person, so that can be many different things.”

Take care of yourself 

Nutrition, fluids, exercise, and sleep can help to ward off burnout.

Relaxation and mindfulness 

Meditation, calming music, and deep breathing have all been shown to help lower stress levels.

Emotional health

Being a caregiver for a care patient can put you on an emotional roller coaster ride. There will be ups and downs that you will have to adjust to while helping the patient make the best decisions for their health and well being. Having a support system in place for yourself is critical in managing the emotional ups and downs you will feel. 

In her experience, Dee Braun shares her emotional struggles.

“You feel protectiveness, hopelessness, anger, annoyance. Of course, you try to hold your tongue because this person is battling a life-threatening illness and that can lead to resentment, shortened temper, you feel alone, nobody else understands, you feel you can't express yourself because you can't put anything else on the cancer patient – they've got enough to deal with. You're physically exhausted. You're mentally exhausted. You're emotionally exhausted and then that's just dealing with the patient. That doesn't include dealing with their family and their friends. So, and that also doesn't include dealing with the medical profession so you really – it's like a war zone sometimes, on several fronts and it just – is it's very difficult to describe to someone who hasn't been in that position. You really feel like you're the lifeline for the cancer patient and the cancer patient typically has a team – they have a family, they have a team of doctors, they have you, and you have no one. So you feel you're an island that has no support, and that nobody understands.”

Counselor Jessica Eisenbarth, MAPPC shares why caregivers tend not to reach out, and what they should:

“Reaching out to the community and looking for that support – sometimes you have to look for it – it won't generally just show up on your doorstep – you have to be willing to ask for help, and sometimes with caregivers – they tend to not want to reach out and ask for help from somebody else, but that's one of the things that they have to do. We have to lean on others, and especially when we are the primary caregiver for someone who is very, very ill, that's a prime time where we need somebody who we can lean on, at least emotionally, and be able to talk, at the very least because if we don't' we just become so repressed and that emotion and that trauma that we're going through have to come out in some way or somehow, and it can come out in unhealthy ways and it can cause us to become sick or ill or repressed. And so, I think reaching out is something that we can try to do as caregivers even though – the caregiver – that role, a lot of people in that role don't want to reach out because they don't want to be a burden and I think it's just something we have to change that paradigm of what a caregiver needs, or what our view is of it. I think reaching out is definitely needed.”

Some ways a caregiver can help themselves cope with their emotional well being include:

Caregiver support groups 

There are many reasons it is a good idea to join a support group. Support groups for caregivers allow people to share their experiences and feelings. Sometimes there are things that are difficult to share with family and friends which can create a sense of loneliness. Having a support group you can share with can give a caregiver a sense of belonging and help them feel like they are being understood. This can help relieve stress and help you cope in a healthy way. Find a group that resonates with your particular situation, your experiences, and how you are feeling. The more comfortable you are sharing, the better support you will receive from your peers.

List of caregiver support groups and resources

https://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/ – CancerSupportCommunity.org – Attend support groups, educational sessions, health, and wellness programs as well as find support, hope, and community. Our programs are free of charge to anyone affected by cancer, including patients, caregivers, loved ones and children.

http://www.4thangel.org/ – 4thAngel.org / 1-866-520-3197 – Mentoring program service matches both patients and caregivers with volunteer mentors who have been through similar situations.

https://www.inspire.com/ – Inspire / 1-800-945-0381 – Online caregiver community.

https://lotsahelpinghands.com/ – Lotsa Helping Hands – Resource to help caregivers organize and coordinate meals and help for family and friends.

https://news.cancerconnect.com/ – Cancer Connect – Message board for patients, advocates, caregivers, and professionals

https://www.cancercare.org/support_groups – CancerCare / 1-800-813-4673 and https://www.helpforcancercaregivers.org/ – Help for Cancer Caregivers – More support lists including online, telephone, and face-to-face support.

Seeking professional therapy 

Sometimes it is necessary to seek out professional care when stepping into the caregiver role. As Felipe in Hope for Breast Cancer says, reach out. Don't hesitate to take the step getting the professional help you may need to manage the many stresses and pressures associated with being a cancer patient caregiver.

Spiritual health

As with patients, spiritual well being can be a cornerstone in a caregiver's health and ability to cope. Some ways of creating spiritual well being include:

Attending church or a spiritual community 

Allowing yourself time to attend church or your spiritual community activities can help you stay connected with your beliefs and your spiritual community. It can also be a source for community support.

Prayer and/or meditation 

Studies show that prayer and/or meditation can affect physical change – quite literally. Take time daily for prayer and/or meditation practice.

Finding support (for you!)

“Caregiving often calls us to lean into love we didn’t know possible.”
― Tia Walker, from The Inspired Caregiver: Finding Joy While Caring for Those You Love

The earlier you ask for help, the better. Getting other family members and friends involved early can go far in allowing you to plan your time as effectively as possible.

Know your limitations. Asking others for help. 

Some ways a caregiver can recruit assistance in the patient's care include:

Making a list of friends and family 

Sit with the patient and make a list of friends and family who may be able to offer assistance. Don’t forget people in different areas of the patient's life including people at work, school, church, or other areas of the community in which they are active.

Reach out

Ask family and friends where they may be able to assist. Even if you don't use their help, it is good to know they are there. In most cases, people do want to help!

Be specific 

Be sure to be as specific as possible when requesting help. Do you need them to prepare a meal? Run an errand? Be at an appointment? Help with transportation? Help with paperwork? Spend time with the patient? Help with research? The more specific you are about your needs, the better chance you have of someone stepping in to help out.

Other responsibilities

Sometimes, it can be difficult to balance your caregiver duties with your other life responsibilities. Being a caregiver can take up a lot of time and can break up your day in ways that can disrupt your regular schedule. This can lead to feelings of distraction, anxiety, and being overwhelmed. These feelings can spread through all areas of your life.

Work

Balancing work and caregiving can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible. Some ways you may be able to better deal with both roles include:

Scheduling patient appointments during lunchtimes or breaks 

Doing this can help you keep your regular work hours, but it can also contribute to feeling overwhelmed as it takes away time you may need for yourself, so be careful.

Trade shifts with coworkers 

When it makes sense, switching shifts with flexible coworkers can go a long way in organizing and balancing your time.

Discuss your work options with management 

Can you work from home sometimes? Do they offer flex-time? Can you work at different hours, if necessary? Many companies are more than happy to help you make it work as it's easier to do this than to find someone else to fill your shift.

Caregiver medical leave 

See if your company offers medical leave for caregivers. In the U.S., this falls under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Family Responsibilities

Once your family members know you have taken on the role of cancer patient-caregiver they will know that your time and energy will be split between family responsibilities and your caregiving role. One way to manage the balance is to see your current family life responsibilities as a team effort. Delegating home and family responsibilities between family members can go along way in alleviating the pressure a caregiver can feel trying to be all things to all people.

Online Resources

• Cancer Support Community
• NCI Support for Caregivers of Cancer Patients
• American Cancer Society Caregivers and Family
• ACS: When Someone You Know Has Cancer
• Cancer.net: Supporting a Friend Who Has Cancer
• Cancer Research UK: How to support someone with cancer
• Caregiver's Library
• Caregiver Action Network
• Savor Health: Nutritional Support for Cancer Patients

The post Caregiver Empowerment: How to Support Your Loved One appeared first on Cancer Tutor.

If you have cancer, however, the coronavirus (COVID-19) has the potential to further affect your already compromised immune system. Now is the time to ramp up your self-awareness.

Coronaviruses usually cause an upper-respiratory-tract illness, as you’d have with a cold, but not everyone will get sick. Still, like the flu virus, some people are more at risk, and more severe issues can develop.

With COVID-19, older adults and those with underlying health conditions seem to be at higher risk. These include patients with cancer (including those who have undergone a bone marrow transplant), cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney and lung diseases, and diabetes. However, we cannot predict to what degree of danger the virus, or any influenza virus, will be to the population. A deeper understanding of the biological and epidemiologic level is needed. [1]

“The early data from China, and reports from the ground in Italy and other sites of local transmission is that our cancer patients are going to be at increased risk,” said Dr. Steve Pergam, a clinical and infectious disease researcher at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. [2]

How to ‘flatten the curve' on COVID-19

Cancer Tutor spoke with two health care professionals on the front lines at one of the United States’ foremost cancer centers. One is an emergency room doctor, the other a nurse in the intensive care unit. Both spoke on the condition of anonymity and were not authorized to discuss the coronavirus publicly on behalf of the hospital.

“The concern for this virus is that a lot of people are asymptomatic for two weeks before feeling bad,” the ER doctor said. “Even if we’re young and healthy, even if there’s no concern for that person becoming critically ill from this virus, there’s a lot of common sense in social distancing. You could get [the coronavirus] from someone, not know that you have it, and be walking around for two weeks before you start to have flu-like symptoms. I think social distancing is smart.

“Just practice avoiding crowds. If you’re a cancer patient, still wear a mask, especially around grandchildren; they might be carriers of the virus.  Be very cautious about going out into public, mixing with a lot of other people.”

As the spread of coronavirus intensifies, researchers continue to chase a vaccine. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases announced March 16 that a Phase I trial had given a dose to its first participant. [3]

So, how did we reach the pandemic stage? One day we’re checking off our to-do lists, sitting in conference rooms, jetting around the country for business and pleasure. The next day, the president is surrounded by serious-looking faces telling us the coronavirus is “bad” rolling out a 15-day plan designed to flatten the curve of further infection.

COVID-19 Timeline

On Dec. 31, 2019, the World Health Organization’s China Country Office learned of pneumonia in the city of Wuhan in Hubei province, China. Authorities noted some of the patients were vendors in the Huanan seafood market.

A large hub that connects all regions of China via a major international airport and railways, Wuhan, China’s location played a role in the eventual spread of the coronavirus. Officials also note the outbreak came during the Chinese (Lunar) New Year, and the congregation of people celebrating enabled the virus to spread globally.

The first confirmed case of COVID-19 outside of China came Jan. 13, 2020, in Thailand. The WHO called for active monitoring and urged other countries to prepare for the novel coronavirus. Ten days later, the outbreak had spread to Korea, Japan, and Singapore.

On Jan. 22-23, the WHO convened the Emergency Committee to examine the coronavirus outbreak. Considering COVID-19’s restrictive and binary nature, the committee decided it was too early to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

A week later, on Jan. 30, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the outbreak a PHEIC. The committee noted that early detection (testing), isolating and treating cases, contact tracing, and social distancing measures work to interrupt virus spread.

Emphasizing that the probability to contain the outbreak is “narrowing,” Dr. Ghebreyesus on Feb. 21 urged the international community to act quickly. “We must take advantage of the window of opportunity we have to contain the outbreak,” he said. “We don’t want to look back later and regret failing to act.” The world reached 100,000 cases on March 7.

On March 11, the WHO officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Dr. Ghebreyesus noted, “Pandemic is not a word to use lightly or carelessly. It is a word that, if misused, can cause unreasonable fear or unjustified acceptance that the fight is over, leading to unnecessary suffering and death. … We have never before seen a pandemic sparked by a coronavirus. This is the first pandemic caused by a coronavirus. And we have never before seen a pandemic that can be controlled, at the same time.” [4]

Protect yourself from the coronavirus

The U.S. Center for Disease Control suggests everyday ways to help protect yourself: [5]

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or having been in a public place.
• If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• To the extent possible, avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places – elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking with people, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something.
• Wash your hands after touching surfaces in public places.
• Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, etc.
• Clean and disinfect your home to remove germs: practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (for example tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks & cell phones)
• Avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded, closed-in settings with little air circulation if there are people in the crowd who are sick.
• Avoid all non-essential travel, including plane trips, and especially avoid embarking on cruise ships.

Cancer patients with compromised immune systems take precautions with their everyday lives. “Our cancer patients are already so careful knowing they have a compromised immune system in the first place,” said the ICU nurse that Cancer Tutor interviewed said. “Already in the habit of washing their hands, getting away from sick people, staying away from crowds. If they have a fever, they’d go to the ER. They’re cautious with all of those things.

“The coronavirus attacks the lungs and causes lung inflammation, acute respiratory distress, and the possibility of respiratory failure,” the nurse added. “The big issue that hospitals are preparing for right now is the possibility of an overwhelming patient population that needs a ventilator. Most hospitals have 30 to 40 ventilators, and then if you do have a surge of people that are in acute respiratory failure and need to be on a ventilator, you’re going to have an issue with supply and demand.”

Furthermore, a study released in February – The SARS, MERS and novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemics, the newest and biggest global health threats: what lessons have we learned? – concluded that governments are not fully utilizing technology for mapping the spread of infections. [6]

While the worldwide distribution of vaccine doses increased from 262 million in 2004 to 486 million in 2015, only 5% of the doses distributed in ’15 were shared among Africa, Eastern Mediterranean, and Southeast Asia regions, which makes up 48.5% of the population surveyed.

Nutraceuticals to improve immunity

For COVID-19, a leading cause of death is acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), caused by pro-inflammatory immune cells in the respiratory tract.

These immune cells are doing what they are supposed to do: fight the infection. However, the inflammation can be a life-threatening problem for some people.

Nutraceuticals – a food or dietary supplement believed to provide health benefits – have been shown to improve health, prevent chronic diseases, and support the body’s functions. [7]

In recent years, nutraceuticals have become more prevalent because of their potential nutritional, safety and therapeutic effects.

There are nutraceuticals to combat COVID-19. These products help to reduce or shut off the body’s inflammatory immune response:

Curcumin

• Primary active ingredient in turmeric
• Potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant effects
• Interferes with viral cellular processes, prevents viral replication

Epigallocatechin Gallate (ECCG)

• A catechin (natural antioxidant) found in green tea
• Inhibits the binding of an essential viral protein to cell-surface molecules
• Binds to the viral envelope, inhibits transcription of the virus

Glutathione And N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)

• An amino acid that helps the body replenish glutathione
• Glutathione is an antioxidant that strengthens cells and builds the immune system
• NAC also inhibits virus replication (fights off viral infections)
• Reduces inflammation in airways, acts as an expectorant

Melatonin

• Helpful for anti-inflammatory effects in the body
• May be effective at increasing immune function
• Decreases pro-inflammatory cytokines

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)

• A fatty acid amide naturally produced when the body battles inflammation
• Relieves symptoms associated with influenza and the common cold

Quercetin

• A flavonoid with antioxidant benefits
• Helps reduce various kinds of inflammation
• As an antiviral, interacts with specific viral proteins, inhibits viral entry into cells

Specializing Pro-Resolving Mediators (SPMs)

• Derived from polyunsaturated fats (omega-3 fatty acids)
• Critical in switching off an inflammatory response

Vitamin C

• Ascorbic acid (aka ascorbate) is an antioxidant essential for the growth and repair of tissues
• Strengthens the capillaries that carry oxygen, nutrients to all parts of the body
• Vitamin C supplementation can prevent and treat systemic infections

Vitamin D3

• May decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines in lung tissue
• Triggers the release of peptides that destabilize the viral envelope
• Promotes respiratory health and immune system benefits

Vitamin B3 (Nicotinamide)

• Niacin is an antioxidant
• Helps regulate cholesterol levels
• Can potentially reduce lung inflammation by inhibiting the immune response of neutrophil infiltration into the lungs

Zinc

• An antioxidant that boosts immunity by reducing oxidative stress
• Vital in the function of T cells (white blood cells, a key to immunity)
• May help inhibit the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (proteins important in cell signaling)

‘Better to be safe than sorry'

“Influenza causes a huge preventable disease burden every year in all countries,” said lead author Dr. Abraham Palache. “Immunization with currently available safe and beneficial vaccines can reduce a considerable fraction of the annual influenza-associated disease and mortality burden. … Many patients suffer from preventable influenza-associated disease, including exacerbation of underlying noncommunicable diseases.”

Dr. Kathryn Edwards from the Vanderbilt Vaccine Research Program at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee, added, “These data suggest that we’re not reaching the influenza vaccine targets proposed by the WHO.

“Why are the poorest countries not putting their vaccination money into influenza vaccines? To have granular data from each country and the impact of influenza in each country would be helpful to convince policymakers of the importance of influenza. Deficiencies exist in knowing the burden of the disease and its impact in every country.”

We do not know which virus will cause the next pandemic. Likewise, we cannot rapidly develop and deploy a vaccine against a pandemic virus. We can, however, do our part to stem the tide against the spread of the coronavirus.

Unfortunately, this also applies to loved ones. Hospitals are implementing one-visitor rules during the pandemic. This can be hard on family members who may be anxious to see a loved one who is near death.

“Especially in an ICU setting where they're feeling really sick and possibly at the end of their life,” noted the ICU nurse. “They don’t understand because, ‘Oh well, they’re dying or toward the end of their life, we should all be able to come into the room.’ It’s doing more harm to the patient.

“It’s a lot of family and patient education regarding [COVID-19]. It is an airborne virus and anybody that has it, you can breathe in that space and they can catch it. People always think it will never happen to me until it does, so better to be safe than sorry with most things.”

More on COVID-19

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24693893

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28487207

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29976515

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29169772

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29941354

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32086938

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32083643

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32081636

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32083985

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32113704

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32091533

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32147628

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32150748

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32125132

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