HOW GOOD NUTRITION HELPS CANCER PATIENTS

Here is an article written by one of our readers, Jillian McKee

Medical experts are constantly learning more about how important it is for cancer patients to eat healthy foods.  This can help ease the discomforts of mesothelioma treatment side effects. According to the American Cancer Society, it is important for cancer patients to maintain a healthy diet throughout their treatment. Certain vitamins and minerals can help the body fight off the disease. Eating the right foods can help patients regain their strength and feel more energetic. A healthy diet can also help with the recovery process.
The American Cancer Society notes that cancer patients may need to increase their intake of protein. Protein strengthens the immune system and repairs tissue. This function is crucial for cancer patients since radiation therapy and chemotherapy can take a toll on the body.
Protein can help the body recover from side effects and help fight off potential infections. Protein comes from chicken, turkey, lean meat, and fish. Other sources of protein include nuts, eggs, lentils, soy foods, and dried beans.
Cancer patients can increase their energy levels by including the good fats in their diet. The body also uses these fats to insulate tissues in the body and carry vitamins through the blood. Good fats come from vegetable oils such as olive oil, canola oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, and corn oil. The good fats are also found in nuts and fish.
Antioxidants are also beneficial for cancer patients. Antioxidants keep normal cells healthy. You can get antioxidants from vitamins A, C, and E. Zinc and selenium are also antioxidants. The American Cancer Society recommends that cancer patients get antioxidants from food because supplements may alter treatment effects. You can get antioxidants by eating a variety vegetables and fruits.
It is very important for cancer patients to stay hydrated. For this reason, patients should drink at least 8 glasses of water daily. Water helps the cells in the body to function. Treatment side effects often include vomiting and diarrhea, which can rob the body of water and other essential fluids. The body needs an adequate supply of water in order to hold onto certain minerals, which help keep the body in balance. Certain foods can also help hydrate the body. Soups, fruits and vegetables can help contribute to your fluid intake.
Some cancer patients can benefit by eating low fiber foods. This gives the bowels a break. As a result, the stools will be fewer and smaller. Patients who are having diarrhea, cramping, or digestion problems can ease their discomfort by reducing their intake of fiber.

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENTS FOR CANCER: DON'T LET THE CANCER GET THE BEST OF YOU

The dangers of cancer disease are well known; however, the numerous health effects are not as widely reported. As with anything in life, the key to success is gathering information so that you can make informed decisions. You will find some excellent tips regarding cancer care in this article.

The way someone actually interacts with you may not meet your expectations for what would happen when you asked for support. But then again, value all of the support you receive.

A good support system is imperative as you deal with your diagnosis. You may not feel free to speak with complete candour to your family about your feelings. If so, seek out other people fighting cancer, people to whom you can say everything you are feeling and from whom you can receive support.

Limit your intake of sugary drinks such as soda, or eliminate them altogether if you can. These drinks increase your cancer risk. These drinks are poor nutrition that can not only lead to weight gain, but can interfere with the body's ability to prevent the growth of cancer in the body.

Find someone who can drive you to your appointments for cancer treatments. Cancer treatments as well as the disease itself can be exhausting, increase your reaction times and limit how well you move. Think of your safety first and allow others to take over the chore of driving.

When going out in the sun, cover up with clothing to reduce your chance for skin cancer. Ultraviolet rays can quickly lead to skin cancer. It is suggested to use a waterproof sunscreen SPF30+ if you have light skin which is susceptible to sunburn.

Try to reduce the amount of sugar that you consume, as part of your daily diet. Cancer cells live on sugar, so removing sugar from your daily food intake has positive effects on starving cancer cells. This might not get rid of your cancer, but you can use it with something else to help treat it.

Don't get scared of the discomfort you may feel while getting an examination for breast cancer. The actual procedure takes no more than several minutes. Early detection can be the difference between life and death, or keeping your breasts and losing them, so a little pressure is well worth it.

Make time for fun. Being diagnosed with cancer doesn't mean that you will be unable to enjoy life any longer. Make sure that you carry on doing the things you love, such as reading, going to the cinema, and attending a stadium for a huge sporting event. It may require a little more planning to make sure you don't over exert yourself, but don't stop experiencing life.

Guacamole can help to fight cancer, and is a very delicious way to do this. Get a couple of avocados and slice them up, as well as green peppers, onions and tomatoes. Add a hot pepper to the mix for some heat. Try putting in some salt and a little lime juice. Then, just mash it all together. Avocado is known to reduce or stop the growth of cancer within your body, so put lots of it in your dip! Healthy and appetizing!

Cancer support groups are effective at every stage of dealing with the condition, whether you were recently diagnosed or have been fighting cancer for years. You can speak with other patients about how to mentally and physically cope with having cancer. You can usually take family members with you to this group as well.

Information about the effects of cancer is available from your doctor, cancer support groups and online resources. If you know how to manage your health effectively, you can turn the odds against cancer in your favor. Use what you have learned in this article and you may be able to get the upper hand on cancer or cure it completely.

NOTE: Please visit our cancer prevention and cure website for more tips and information

CANCER HELP, CURES, AND TREATMENTS: USEFUL ADVICE FOR CANCER PATIENTS

Hearing a cancer diagnosis is a life-altering and emotional time. A million thoughts race through your mind about treatments, life, death, your family, your friends, your job, and more. Although nothing can completely eliminate the stress of dealing with a cancer diagnosis and treatment thereof, the tips given in this article will help to ease the process.

Eliminating sugar from your diet is one of many strategies you can use to thwart cancer growth. If you eliminate sugar altogether, you may be able to kill cancer cells, as these cells use sugar to help themselves grow and multiply. Do not expect to battle cancer with small changes like these. You will have to transform your lifestyle and work hard.

You want to make sure no needles are shared with anyone at all in order to prevent getting cancer. It is well known that sharing needles can transmit HIV, however, needle-sharing is also a common cause of Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B can result in the formation of certain types of cancer. If you are a drug abuser, consult a doctor about rehab right away.

You may need time to grieve after finding out that you or your loved one has cancer. You may even feel like someone's already died. Although cancer is often a fatal disease, don't treat your loved ones who have this disease like they've already died. There are some people who live a fulfilling life, even though they have cancer.

If you have to get screened for breast cancer, don't let the fear of discomfort worry you. The discomfort is slight, and lasts for only a minute or two. The end result may be that cancer is caught in time to save both your life and your breasts. Don't let fear stand in the way of a screening.

Find someone who can drive you to your appointments for cancer treatments. Cancer treatments can be extremely draining, and your reaction times and mobility may be negatively impacted. Since your health is your utmost focus right now, let somebody else drive.

Allow someone diagnosed with cancer to freely communicate their feelings. It may be a difficult thing to do at times, but your friend or family member needs to have the opportunity to express their feelings. Take care not to barge in or volunteer your personal thoughts; this is their time.

Always protect your skin from the damaging rays of the sun by using sunscreen or protective clothing to lessen the risk of skin cancer. The ultraviolet rays in the sun can be harsh, and melanomas (skin cancer) can quickly be fatal if left untreated. Choose a sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or more and is waterproof. This is especially important if your skin is fair and burns easily.

Do not believe anyone who tells you alcohol will help you. Wine could help prevent cancer due to the grapes. Drinking lots of alcohol increases, not decreases, your risk of cancer.

When you find yourself actually undergoing any type of cancer treatments, then make sure you avoid any and all infections if possible. Most cancer treatments can reduce your immune system leaving you prone to an increased likelihood of infection.

Detecting cancer early is important in being able to treat it successfully. Have appointments regularly for tests and screenings to detect cancer prior to symptoms showing. Learn how to perform self-exams for breast or prostate cancer so you can detect those cancers from home.

If you don't have an open communication line with your doctor, find another one. It is in your best interest to ask questions you may have as they come up. Your concerns must be addressed immediately.

Be prepared of the changes your physical body will undergo, while receive your cancer treatments. Your doctor or oncologist will educate you on what treatment options are available to you and what side effects they may have. Be prepared for the possibility of hair loss by having a wig ready and look around for some make up to handle any complexion problems.

As the above article has shown, lots of methods of decreasing stress and alleviating fears concerning cancer exist. There isn't a single treatment or cure that can address all types of cancer, but there are some common threads to the treatments that can help you deal with cancer effectively. By utilizing the tips given in this article and taking one day at a time, you will be in a mindset to successfully beat your cancer.

NOTE: Please visit our cancer prevention and cure website for more tips and information