Regional Node Irradiation Can Boost Breast Cancer Survivability

With more than 231,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer diagnosed in the United States annually, the push is on to help those who develop this disease survive it. While mortality rates have declined tremendously over the past few decades, researchers want to see them improve even more. A new study out of Europe may offer some insights on how to make that happen.

Conducted by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer, the study followed a group of women who had been diagnosed with stage I, II or III breast cancers. Some of the women received regional node irradiation along with other forms of treatment and some did not. Researchers found at a slight increase in survival for patients who had undergone regional node irradiation. With an average follow-up of 10.9 years reported, women in the irradiation group had an 82.3 percent survival rate. Women in the group that forewent irradiation of regional nodes had a survival rate of about 80.7 percent courtesy of other treatments.

The results involving the 4.004 patients are just the beginning. Researchers hope to continue monitoring the outcome over a 20-year follow up to see how much of a difference regional node irradiation can make over a longer duration.

What the study points out is that sometimes in breast cancer treatment going an extra step can make a difference. Although study findings at present show only a slight increase in survivability, they are significant. This is especially so for women who may have otherwise faced mortality.

Women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer are urged to carefully review all their treatment options with their healthcare providers. The best recommendations for a course of action will be based on case-specific facts. In some instances, regional node irradiation may be indicated. Women, however, should discuss all the benefits and potential complications with their doctors.

Progress Marked in America’s Fight Against Cancer

America is making strides in its ongoing battle against cancer, but much work needs to be done. The latest numbers show a decline in the overall cancer death rate between the years of 2002 and 2011, but progress is not marked in regard to a number of specific types of the disease. The findings were published by the Journal of the National Cancer Institution and show that cancer deaths fell about 1.8 percent a year for men between the years of 2002 and 2011. For women, they fell about 1.4 percent yearly during that time. Progress in children’s cancers was also made with a decline in deaths pegged at roughly 2 percent year.

While gains are being made, researchers note that cancer is far from eradicated. And, as many types of cancer decline in diagnosis rates, others are seeing their numbers climb. Cancers such as mouth, throat and kidney are all seeing greater incidence rates. As for the decline in overall deaths, researchers point to several reasons why the movement is heading in the right direction:

• Early detection – Aggressive campaigns to get people in for early screening while better understanding of risk factors may be helping bring the numbers down. This factor sheds light on the importance for people to carefully discuss their cancer risks with their healthcare professionals and make sure to work early detection tests into their routines should they be recommended.

• Aggressive treatment – With early detection comes the ability for doctors to more aggressively treat cancer when it is in a beginning phase. Many forms of cancer can be successfully eradiated when caught early.

While deaths are down from cancer, the fight against the disease continues. People can help lower these numbers even more by making sure to understand their personal risks and take steps to lower them once they are identified. In addition, going in for early screening tests, such as mammograms, can be critical for further lowering mortality rates.

Progress Marked in America’s Fight Against Cancer

America is making strides in its ongoing battle against cancer, but much work needs to be done. The latest numbers show a decline in the overall cancer death rate between the years of 2002 and 2011, but progress is not marked in regard to a number of specific types of the disease. The findings were published by the Journal of the National Cancer Institution and show that cancer deaths fell about 1.8 percent a year for men between the years of 2002 and 2011. For women, they fell about 1.4 percent yearly during that time. Progress in children’s cancers was also made with a decline in deaths pegged at roughly 2 percent year.

While gains are being made, researchers note that cancer is far from eradicated. And, as many types of cancer decline in diagnosis rates, others are seeing their numbers climb. Cancers such as mouth, throat and kidney are all seeing greater incidence rates. As for the decline in overall deaths, researchers point to several reasons why the movement is heading in the right direction:

• Early detection – Aggressive campaigns to get people in for early screening while better understanding of risk factors may be helping bring the numbers down. This factor sheds light on the importance for people to carefully discuss their cancer risks with their healthcare professionals and make sure to work early detection tests into their routines should they be recommended. 

• Aggressive treatment – With early detection comes the ability for doctors to more aggressively treat cancer when it is in a beginning phase. Many forms of cancer can be successfully eradiated when caught early.

While deaths are down from cancer, the fight against the disease continues.

People can help lower these numbers even more by making sure to understand their personal risks and take steps to lower them once they are identified. In addition, going in for early screening tests, such as mammograms, can be critical for further lowering mortality rates.

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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