Radiation after Prostate Cancer Surgery Can Lead to a Cure

Men who are facing prostate removal to treat a positive cancer diagnosis may find their doctors recommending immediate radiation following the procedure. While this might seem like overkill considering the offending gland has been removed from the equation, new studies are shedding light on the reality that adjuvant radiation can add up to a more effective cure without dramatically increasing side effect risks.

The studies out of the University Of Virginia School Of Medicine were conducted to shed light on the side effect risks of using adjuvant versus salvage radiation to treat any remaining cancer cells following radical prostatectomy. While many urologists have held that salvage therapy (conducted months after surgery if PSA tests indicate a need) can lower side-effect risks, oncologists have maintained that immediate radiation (adjuvant) was the wiser approach. The problem was that no real facts backed up the arguments on either side when it comes to radiation-induced side effects.

Enter the studies. Researchers looked at the medical charts of 16,000 prostate cancer patients. What they found was that there was no real benefit in waiting for radiation to ensure all cancer cells have been eradicated following prostatectomy. They also discovered that immediate radiation does not increase risks for impotence or incontinence, two of the most disconcerting side-effects of treatment. Immediate radiation can, however, offer a protective effect that can increase chances that a recurrence will not present.

The bottom line, according to researchers, is that men who are undergoing treatment for prostate cancer should discuss their options with their doctors. The best strategy will depend on a man’s individual case. If there’s a low risk for recurrence, a delay might be reasonable. If there’s evidence to support the idea that cancer will return, immediate radiation could be the best course of action and may indeed lead to a cure by killing off cells that remain following prostatectomy.Radiation Therapy is a game changing technology in the field of prostate cancer treatment. It provides effective results with minimum side effects.

Tips for Eating Healthy During Cancer Treatments

There’s nothing easy about being on the receiving end of cancer treatment. This is especially so if chemotherapy is a part of the treatment plan. Maintaining physical strength in as much as possible is important for helping with overall recovery. That means working to maintain a healthy diet is crucial during this period.

While that sounds elementary, the reality is eating right during chemotherapy treatments can be very difficult. Aside from the nausea that so commonly goes along with treatments, foods may taste different and mouth sores can complicate matters even more. Despite all that the need to eat right during treatment remains ever present.

Here are just a few simple tips that can help ensure nutrition is maintained during treatments:

•    Eat smaller, more frequent meals – Sitting down to multicourse meals at this time just isn’t likely to work. Instead, serve up smaller portions of foods and try to eat more frequently throughout the day.
•    Make foods tastier – Taste buds take a beating during chemo treatments and certain items, such as water and meats are likely to taste different. To combat this be sure to try different things, such as flavoring water, or selecting different sources of protein to ensure foods that taste good are maintained in the regular diet.
•    Use supplements – Nutritional shakes and drinks can help fill in the gaps when eating meals just doesn’t feel right.
•    Snack smart – It’s often easier to eat small snacks rather than entire meals. Avoid empty calories during this time and stick to healthy snacks such as raw vegetables, fruits and yogurt that provide valuable nutrients with every bite.
•    Don’t get discouraged – Maintaining appetite during treatments can be difficult, but don’t get discouraged. Experiment with different foods to find those that offer nutritional value while also tasting pleasant in the process.

Chances are your oncologist can recommend a great dietician that can help with meal and snack planning while also offering tips for ensuring that nutrition is maintained during treatments. Be sure to take advantage of this service for great insights on what might work for you.

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Managing Cancer-Related Fatigue

Cancer comes with many symptoms the likes of which differ depending on the type of cancer. But most cancer patients can usually agree on one thing - cancer wipes you out as far as energy levels. If it’s not the cancer itself, it’s the related treatments that can bring on unprecedented fatigue; a lack of energy that can interfere with your everyday life and prevent you from engaging in your normal activities.

Most people understand that fatigue is just a part of the package when it comes to cancer and its treatment. But that doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself to a total lack of energy. There are things that you can do to help manage fatigue and increase your energy levels so that you can live a higher quality of life during your treatment.

Exercise. As counterintuitive as it may seem (who wants to exercise when you are so tired?), exercise is one of the ways that you can actually increase energy levels. Just a small amount of activity on a daily basis - taking a short walk, engaging in a low level exercise class, stretching, yoga - can work to start building up your energy.

Say no. Now is not the time to say yes to everything you are invited to participate in regardless of the perceived importance of these activities. Ask someone you trust to help you prioritize so that you can determine what is worth saying yes to and what you should pass on for now.

Ask for help. Well-meaning friends and family have likely offered their share of help in whatever way you need it. Now is a good time to take them up on these offers of kindness to help reduce your workload and preserve your energy.

Take time off from work. If you are able to take a leave of absence it may be helpful to do so for at least a short period of time. If not, see if you can make alternative arrangements such as working partially from home or using, sick, personal, and vacation time by spreading it out to include one or a few days off per week.

Engage in relaxing activities. Mediation, massage, acupuncture, etc. can all go a long way towards helping you relax and feel more rested.

Sleep. It may seem obvious if you’re feeling fatigued but sleep is the best thing you can do for your body. Get a full night’s sleep each night and take short periods of rest - or naps - throughout the day if you need it. Listen to your body.

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Extra Ears Help Manage Incoming Information for Cancer Patients

When you are diagnosed with cancer, the information begins flying at you fast and furious. It can be difficult to wrap your brain around the diagnosis itself without also managing the terminology, treatment options, prognosis, potential side effects, and other information that your doctor will be providing you with in this already overwhelming time. How can you best manage this difficult time in your life, gather all the information that you desperately need, and make the decisions that are best for your treatment?

Have a Buddy in your Corner

One of the ways that you can help manages all this information is by having a loved one assist you. A spouse, a trusted friend, or family member can accompany you to doctor appointments so that they can also listen to what the doctor has to say, take notes, help formulate questions, and overall offer you another perspective and an extra set of ears when you might not be taking in everything that you need to hear.

When you are under an enormous amount of stress it can be difficult to decipher what is being said to you at any given time and to understand what is being said. It is understandable that you are under stress when you receive a cancer diagnosis and so it is also understandable that you may not receive information in the way that it is given. It really helps to have someone along for the ride who can help you organize all the facts so that the appropriate decisions can be made.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask

Of course this requires that you reach out to someone and ask them to accompany you and that can feel overwhelming in and of itself. Don’t hesitate. This is the time when you need the people you love - and who love you - around you. So reach out, ask the question, and know that someone has your back.

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Treating Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women and second only to lung cancer in cancer-related deaths in women. While it can be a very scary diagnosis, breast cancer does respond to a variety of treatments that have been used successfully to help restore the patient to their normal activities and back to better health. The medical team charged with putting together the best treatment plan for their patient works with the information they have - including stage and grade of cancer - and customizes a treatment plan that not only effectively and aggressively attacks the malignancy but works within the patient’s lifestyle in a way that makes returning them to their normal routine a priority.

What are the treatment options for breast cancer?

Surgery - When breast cancer is still confined to the breast itself, surgery is found to be an excellent treatment option. During surgery, the cancer tumor is removed. In some cases partial or full mastectomies is performed and nearby lymph nodes are examined to determine if cancer cells have spread.

Radiation Therapy - There are a variety of radiation treatments available for breast cancer including accelerated breast irradiation, 3D-conformal radiotherapy, and brachy therapy (internal radiation). Radiation therapy can be performed as the main treatment for breast cancer or as treatment following surgery.

Chemotherapy - Delivers drugs throughout the body that target cancer cells. Physicians often choose chemotherapy when the cancer has spread to ensure that all cancer cells are found and eradicated.

Hormone Therapy - This therapy blocks the estrogen receptors in cancer cells which prevent those cells from dividing and continuing to grow. Hormone therapy is often used in conjunction with other therapies.

In addition to the type, stage, and grade of cancer, a treatment plan must also take into account a patient’s age and overall health. Using all of this information, the physician creates a treatment plan that in many cases combines a variety of therapies in a way that allows for the greatest chance for success with the lowest risk of side-effects to the patient.

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Talking to Your Doctor About Your Risk Factors

Cancer screenings are something that should be a part of our lives on a regular basis, but especially so if we are at higher risk for developing certain types of cancer. This is important information for our doctors to have so that decisions can be made regarding earlier or more regular screenings. For instance, while the age for a baseline mammogram is forty, with yearly mammograms to follow, a mammogram or breast ultrasound (often used for women who have dense breast tissue) may be ordered at an earlier age if there is evidence of certain risk factors.

This is where communication is so important, as well as having a solid relationship with a doctor you can trust. Keep these factors in mind when discussing your risk factors with your medical team:

•    You don’t need to impress anyone. In some cases, patients may not disclose a smoking habit, may exaggerate healthy eating habits, or downplay recreational drug use or alcohol consumption. Your doctor needs to know all the facts that contribute to (or detract from) your health. Don’t spare the details. This should be a relationship where you always feel comfortable being completely honest. If not, then you need to find another doctor with whom you do have that comfort level.

•    Write down your family history. When it comes to cancer risk, it’s important to know your family history. Talk to family members to gather as much information as possible so that you can give your doctors everything they need to manage your healthcare appropriately.

•    Discuss any symptoms or concerns. With a solid, honest working relationship in place with your doctor it’s important to be able express any concerns you may have about your health and changes that you may have noticed. Speak up and speak often. In so doing, you are standing up for your health.

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Relaxation is Important during Cancer Treatments

Undergoing chemotherapy and other forms of cancer treatment can be quite stressful. Maintaining a positive outlook while taking care of yourself, however, are important for the successful outcome of any therapy.

So, how can you relax while your world is so uncertain? Here are a few tips that can help you reduce stress during cancer treatments while also helping you take better care of yourself in the process:

•    Get educated – Uncertainty is one of the worst issues related to cancer and cancer treatment. While no one can help you ensure a picture perfect outcome, you can put your mind at ease on many fronts. Be sure to educate yourself about the form of cancer you have and make sure you understand all the treatments being offered, their potential side effects, and their likelihood of success. The more you understand, the less you will find yourself worrying needlessly. If you have questions, don’t be afraid to ask your doctor or his or her staff. They are there to help.

•    Get nourished – Proper diet during cancer treatments is important for helping you maintain the best possible overall health. Plus, a good diet can assist you greatly in maintaining the energy you’ll need to battle the disease. Consider smaller, more frequent meals and be sure to strike a good healthy balance. Proper hydration is also quite important, especially during chemotherapy treatments.

•    Use alternative treatments for stress relief – Alternative therapies can be very helpful in battling the stress that can go along with cancer treatments. Consider such things as exercise, massage therapy, aromatherapy, and even acupuncture to help ease symptoms. These therapies can also help with the nausea that so commonly goes along with cancer treatments while also promoting better sleep.

•    Battle fatigue by getting plenty of rest – This doesn’t mean curling up in a ball and sleeping all the time, but it does mean getting a proper night’s sleep on a regular basis. If this is tough at first, be sure to consider such things as meditation and exercise to promote restful sleep even in the face of cancer treatment.

Getting through cancer treatments can be tough, but it can be done. Keep a positive attitude and keep an open line of communication with your doctor to help out.

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