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Diet Hints for Cancer Patients
By National Cancer Institute

Your Diet Is an Important Part of Your Treatment

Your diet is an important part of your treatment for cancer. Eating the right kinds of foods before, during, and after your treatment can help you feel better and stay stronger.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has prepared this information to help you learn about your diet needs during treatment and to help you cope with side effects that may affect eating. It is designed for cancer patients and their families and other caregivers. The information here has been gathered from many sources and reflects the tried-and-true experience of cancer patients and the doctors, nurses, and dietitians who work with them.

A registered dietitian is your best source of information about your diet. The information here will add to what the dietitian can tell you. Feel free to ask for help or advice when you need it. Writing down your questions in advance will help you make sure you get the information you need. Ask the dietitian to repeat or explain anything that is not clear. She or he can also explain anything in this book if you have a question and can give you more detailed information. Your doctor or nurse can also give you helpful advice and can refer you to a registered dietitian. If you cannot get a referral, call the American Dietetic Association's (ADA) toll-free nutrition hotline. The information specialist you talk to can help you find a registered dietitian in your area.

Before Treatment Begins

When your cancer was first diagnosed, your doctor talked to you about a treatment plan. This may have involved surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and biologic immunotherapy or some combination of those treatments.

All of these methods of treating cancer kill cells. In the process of killing the cancer cells, some healthy cells are also damaged. That is what causes the side effects of cancer treatment. Side effects that can affect your ability to eat include:

* loss of appetite
* changes in weight (either losing or gaining weight)
* sore mouth or throat
* dry mouth
* dental and gum problems
* changes in sense of taste or smell
* nausea/vomiting
* diarrhea
* lactose intolerance
* constipation
* fatigue and/or depression

You may or may not have any of these side effects. Many factors determine whether you will have any and how severe they will be. These factors include the type of cancer you have, the part of your body being treated, the type and length of treatment, and the dose of treatment. The good news is that if you do have side effects they can often be well-controlled. Most side effects also go away after treatment ends. Your doctor or nurse can tell you more about your chances of having side effects and what they might be like.

Nutrition Recommendations Can Be Different for Cancer Patients

Recommendations about food and eating for cancer patients can be very different from the usual suggestions for healthful eating. This can be confusing for many patients because these new suggestions may seem to be the opposite of what they've always heard. Nutrition recommendations usually stress eating lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grain breads and cereals; including a moderate amount of meat and dairy products; and cutting back on fat, sugar, alcohol, and salt.

Nutrition recommendations for cancer patients may focus on helping you eat more higher calorie foods that emphasize protein. Recommendations might include eating or drinking more milk, cream, cheese, and cooked eggs. Other suggestions might include increasing your use of sauces and gravies, or changing your cooking methods to include more butter, margarine, or oil. Sometimes, nutrition recommendations for cancer patients suggest that you eat less of certain high- fiber foods because these foods can aggravate problems such as diarrhea or a sore mouth.

Nutrition recommendations for cancer patients are different because they are designed to help build up your strength and help you withstand the effects of your cancer and its treatment. When you are healthy, eating enough food to get the nutrients you need is usually not a problem. During cancer treatment, however, this can become a challenge, especially if you have side effects or simply don't feel well.

Preparing Yourself for Cancer Treatment

Until your treatment actually starts, you won't know exactly what, if any, side effects you may have or how you'll feel. One way to prepare is to think of your treatment as a time for you to concentrate on yourself and on getting well. Here are some other ways to get ready:

Think Positively

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Many people have few or no eating-related side effects. Even if you do, they may be mild, and most go away after cancer treatment ends. Also, there are new drugs now that can work well to control side effects.
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Having a positive attitude, talking out your feelings, becoming well-informed about your cancer and treatment, and planning ways to cope can all help reduce worry and anxiety, make you feel more in control, and help you keep your appetite.
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Give food a chance. Even if you do have eating problems, you'll have days when eating is a pleasure.

Eat a Healthy Diet

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A healthy diet is vital for a person's body to work its best. This is even more important for cancer patients.
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If you've been eating a healthy diet, you'll go into treatment with reserves to help keep up your strength, prevent body tissue from breaking down, rebuild tissue, and maintain your defenses against infection.
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People who eat well are better able to cope with side effects. You may even be able to handle higher doses of certain treatments. For example, we know that some cancer treatments are actually much more effective if the patient is well-nourished and getting enough calories and protein in his or her diet.
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Don't be afraid to try new foods. Some things you may never have liked before may taste good to you during treatment.

Plan Ahead

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Stock the pantry and freezer with favorite foods so that you won't need to shop as often. Include foods you know you can eat even when you are sick.
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Keep foods handy that need little or no preparation, for example, pudding, peanut butter, tuna fish, cheese, and eggs.
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Do some cooking in advance and freeze in meal-sized portions.
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Talk to friends or family members about helping with shopping and cooking. Or, ask a friend or family member to manage that job for you.
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Talk to a registered dietitian about your concerns and what you might expect. She or he can give you ideas and help you plan meals. Ask for help in developing a grocery list with foods that might help with potential side effects, such as constipation or nausea. Ask about what has worked for other patients.

source taken from: http://www.enotalone.com/

By an eHow Contributing Writer

Breast cancer refers to cancers that originate in the tissue (sarcomas) or glands/ducts (adenocarcinomas) of the breast. Although breast cancer is most commonly diagnosed in females, it can affect males as well. Breast cancer is usually characterized by a lump in the breast, although inflammatory breast cancer can appear as a breast infection with reddened skin and no lump, and some early stage breast cancers are asymptomatic. Leg pain is generally not a symptom of breast cancer, unless the cancer has metastasized (spread) to the bone. However, leg pain is a common result of breast cancer treatment.

Symptoms

1. The symptoms of breast cancer are different for each person, and many patients have no symptoms at all. When symptoms do exist, a woman typically finds a lump in her breast, although the skin may also appear swollen or otherwise changed. Again, leg pain is not a symptom or common result of Stage I, II, or III breast cancer. Leg pain experienced prior to treatment may be a sign of bone metastasizes, or may be unrelated to the breast cancer.

Leg Pain

2. Medications used to fight primary breast cancer often cause leg pain. However, leg pain can also be a sign that the cancer has metastasized to the bones of the legs. Metastasizes occurs only in Stave IV breast cancer, and once metastasizes has occurred, the cancer is no longer curable although the metastasizes and the resulting pain are treatable. It is important to discuss any leg pain with your doctor, because although it is a common and normal result of breast cancer treatment, metastasizes should still be ruled out.

Non-metastatic Bone Pain

3. Chemotherapy used in the treatment of breast cancer can impact nerves, ligaments, joints or muscles. This impact can cause pain in the arms, as well as in the hips and the legs. Typically, the pain begins during a chemotherapy session and gets progressively worse with each treatment. This leg or hip pain may last for one year or longer after treatment ceases. NSAIDS (pain relief medications such as Tylenol and other over-the-counter non-steroid medications) may ease the pain, or your doctor may prescribe a stronger anti-pain medication, including various opiates or tricyclic antidepressant. This pain will eventually go away on its own, but it takes time.

Tamoxifen, one drug used to fight primary breast cancer, is specifically identified as causing pain in the hips and legs. Pain caused by tamoxifen can resemble the stiffness and aches caused by arthritis.

Treatment

4. In addition to painkillers, certain other treatments are recommended to help with leg pain caused by breast cancer treatment. Physical therapy is often recommended; swimming and yoga especially may help build strength and reduce pain.

Metastatic Bone Pain

5. Pain in the bones of the leg may indicate that the cancer has metastasized to the bone. The bone is a common site for breast cancer metastases. Certain treatments, including laser beam radiation therapy and tamoxifen, are used to treat bone metastases. Although metastatic breast cancer is not curable, new drugs including bisphosphonates such as Zometa and Aredia, have greatly improved survival time for patients diagnosed with metastases in the bone. These bisphosphonates help to slow the growth of the cancer, reduce bone destruction, and keep blood calcium levels normal.
source taken from: http://www.ehow.com/

About Breast Cancer & Neck Pain
By an eHow Contributing Writer

reast cancer refers to cancer that originates in the duct or glands of the breast (where it is called adenocarcinomas) or the breast tissue (sarcomas). Breast cancer can affect both males and females, although primarily the latter. The cancer may be asymptomatic or may cause a lump to appear in the breast, or effect skin changes in the breast or nipple. Neck pain is not a normal symptom of breast cancer. However, bone pain, including that in the bones of the neck, may occur as a result of breast cancer treatment or bone metastasis (the spread of the primary cancer to the bones of the neck).

Neck Pain

1. Pain in the bones of the neck that occurs prior to treatment may be associated with metastases to the neck. The bones are a common site of metastases for Stage IV breast cancer, and metastases to the neck bone would cause pain there. Pain that occurs after treatment begins may also be symptomatic of bone metastases, but it may be caused by the breast cancer treatments as well. Certain chemotherapy agents and other drugs used to fight primary breast cancer may cause side effects--including bone, muscle and joint aches--which may affect the neck.

Non-Metastatic Causes of Neck Pain

2. Chemotherapy agents can cause pain in the nerves, joins, muscles or ligaments. While these chemotherapy drugs usually cause pain in the lower body, including the hips and legs, they may cause pain in the bones and ligaments of the neck. Pain associated with chemotherapy usually begins during chemotherapy sessions and becomes progressively worse. It may linger for up to a year after treatment ends.

Another drug used in the treatment of breast cancer, called tamoxifen, is known to cause stiffness in the bones and joints. Again, it primarily causes the problem in the lower body, but may cause a stiff neck as well. This pain is usually similar to arthritis pain.

Treatment for Non-Metastatic Neck Pain

3. Non-metastatic neck pain is usually treated by managing the pain with painkillers and/or by building muscle strength via physical therapy that builds muscles without being strenuous on the body. Pain medications include NSAIDs (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) or stronger pain medications like opiates and tricyclyc antidepressants. Yoga and swimming are recommended forms of exercise to deal with neck pain caused by breast cancer treatment, and heat and massage can also help alleviate the pain. These treatments generally help with the symptoms of the pain, but do not cure the pain entirely--only time can fully cure neck pain associated with breast cancer treatment.

Metastatic Neck Pain

4. Pain in the bones of the neck may be a sign that the cancer has metastasized to the bone. Along with the lungs and liver, bone metastasis is common with Stage IV breast cancer. Bone metastasis can cause pain in the bones, and bone fractures. In fact, it is estimated that approximately half of all cancer-caused bone fractures occur as a result of bone metastasis, with breast cancer as the primary variety.

Treatment for Metastatic Neck Pain

5. Metastatic breast cancer is incurable, but its progression can be slowed or managed, and the symptoms, including neck pain, can be treated Laser-beam radiation on the affected bones has been proven effective at reducing pain in approximately 85 percent of patients with bone metastasis. Bisphosponates, a new drug, show promise in helping to keep calcium levels normal; slow or stop the destruction of bone by cancer cells; and extend survival time. Tamoxifen is another drug used to help reduce the spread of cancer cells in the bones. NSAIDs or other pain relievers are also used to manage neck pain or other pain associated with bone metastasis.

source taken from: http://www.ehow.com/

By an eHow Contributing Writer

Breast cancer is a cancer that originates in the tissue (sarcoma) or glands/ducts of the breast (adreoncarcinoma). It is far more common in women then men, and is often diagnosed by the presence of a lump found during a mammogram or breast exam. If found early, breast cancer is relatively treatable using a combination of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. However, metastatic or Stage IV breast cancer is not a curable disease, and metastases often occur in the bones, liver or lungs. Although it can't be cured, new developments have helped to improve quality of life and increase longevity for patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Bone Metastasis

1. Bone metastases is common in Stage IV breast cancer. Often, bone metastases is symptomatic and is accompanied by bone pain at the site of the metastasis. Although the metastasis and the cancer are not curable, advances in medicine, including the use of radiation therapy, tamoxifen and bisphosphonates have improved the quality of life for patients with bone metastasis and have improved prognosis and 5 year survival rates for affected patients. Systemic therapies, including chemotherapy and hormone therapy, have also helped in the treatment of bone metastasis caused by breast cancer.
Chemotherapy
2. Chemotherapy can help shrink tumors and reduce pain associated with metastatic cancer. While chemotherapy will not cure the cancer in the bone or eliminate it completely, it can help reduce the amount of cancer cells present, which alleviates pain and extends lifespans. Common side effects include loss of appetite, baldness, nausea and mouth sores.

Bisphosphonates

3. Bisphosphonates are a relatively new class of drugs that have made a difference in the treatment of bone metastasis caused by breast cancer. Bisphosphonates help to treat weakness in the bones caused by metastases. Bisphosphonates work in four ways: they slow damage to the bone caused by cancer, they help maintain normal calcium levels in the blood, they reduce bone pain and they lower the risk of bone fractures caused by metastases.

Radiopharmaceuticals

4. Radiopharmaceuticals refers to a group of drugs, given intravenously, that have radioactive elements. The drugs target and settle in spots where cancer has formed in the bone and help to eliminate some of these metastatic cancer cells. This reduces pain and is far more precise and effective than the use of external radiation beams. A single injection of a radiopharmaceutical drug can reduce or eliminate bone pain for up to a year after it is administered. This type of treatment works best for bone metastases that stimulates the bone cells to form new bone areas in the body.

Hormone therapy

5. Some breast cancers are hormone receptive, which means estrogen aids the growth of the cancer. Hormone receptive cancers can be slowed by blocking access to estrogen. Removing the ovaries or providing hormone blocking drugs can thus slow the metastatic process.

source taken from: http://www.ehow.com/

What Is the Average Life Span of a Stage IV Breast Cancer Patient?
By Apryl Beverly, eHow Contributing Writer

When doctors diagnose breast cancer, they assign a number one through four--with four being the worst stage. Five percent of women in the United States suffer from breast cancer, which typically has a five-year survival rate. Patients with stage IV breast cancer have a 20 percent chance of living five years with the disease. Those living with stage I breast cancer have a 98 percent chance of living five years.

Stages

1. The first and second stages are known as early stage breast cancer and the third and fourth stages are referred to as late stage breast cancer. Late stage breast cancer attacks not only the breasts, but also other parts of the body such as the lungs, brain, bone and liver.

Treatment

2. Stage IV breast cancer is incurable. However, early detection combines with aggressive, quick and comprehensive treatment can help patients live for several years with stage IV breast cancer. Chemotherapy, radiation and targeted therapy are commonly used to treat late stage breast cancer.

Pregnancy

3. Pregnant women with breast cancer have a limited life span. Most studies predict that approximately 10 percent of them will be alive in five years (if they are diagnosed with late stage breast cancer).

Late Stage Survival

4. While still considered late-stage breast cancer, stage III is less severe in that it typically has not spread to other organs. This means it is easier to treat. The five-year survival rate for stage III ranges from 55 to 65 percent.

Cure

5. Stage IV cancer is incurable. However, you can live for several years with stage IV cancer if your oncologist administers proper treatment.

source taken from: http://www.ehow.com/

What Are the Treatments for Stage IV Breast Cancer?
By an eHow Contributing Writer

Stage IV breast cancer means breast cancer that has metastasized, or spread, beyond the breast to distinct areas of the body. The lungs, liver and bones are common sites of breast metastases. Treatment depends upon whether the cancer is hormone receptive, the site of the metastases and the individual patient. These treatments will not save your life, but they can extend the length and quality of life.

Hormone Therapy

1. Hormone receptive breast cancer depends on estrogen to grow and prosper. Estrogen blockers slow or stop the growth and spread of cancer. Tamoxifen is the most commonly prescribed estrogen blocker. It is taken in pill form, and in most cases can be taken for as long as the cancer responds to the treatment.

Targeted Therapy

2. Other targeted therapies are designed to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells by interfering with other essential components, in addition to estrogen, that the cancer needs to survive and grow. Bevacizumab, for example, blocks the supply of blood to the cancer cells. Trastuzumab blocks HER-2 positive cancer cells from growing.

Chemotherapy and Radiation

3. Chemotherapy and radiation may also be administered to stop the growth of cancer cells and/or slow the spread of the cancer. Radiation may be applied to only the breasts or to other areas of metastases to kill the cancer cells in other parts of the body. Chemotherapy is usually systemic--it goes through the whole body to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be administered intravenously (through a needle in the vein) or in pill form.