Central Carolina HEALTH - Fall 2012 - (Page 14)

he right t take to Small steps you canhealing promote your own tment during cancer trea Tools THE TOOL: When to call a pro: The best time to talk to your doctor about nutrition is at the beginning of treatment, Weinstein says. “Most cancer teams have a dietitian, but not everyone is referred, so you may have to ask your physician for a nutrition consult. And if you’ve experienced weight loss during or before treatment, you definitely want to seek help,” she says. THE TOOL: EXERCISE The effect: A little exercise not only can help you feel better, but it can also help fight cancer, says author, athlete and cancer survivor Nancy S. Brennan. In her book Active Against Cancer: A Guide to Improving Your Cancer Recovery with Exercise, Brennan shares her own story of survival as well as the latest findings on how activity boosts immune function, lowers stress levels, reduces excess body fat, improves mood, helps you sleep and builds an “antiinflammatory cellular environment.” “There’s so much research right now on why fighting inflammation at the cellular level is so important in cancer recovery, and moderate exercise helps create this response in the body,” she says. But what may be just as important is the break that exercise provides from fatigue, a common treatment side effect. “Exercise won’t make it go away for good, but studies have shown that even a small amount can temporarily relieve fatigue,” Brennan says. “Even a 10-minute walk that gives you just a little break from feeling so tired is a big deal. For me, it was like ‘normal time,’ when I felt most like me.” When to call a pro: Brennan suggests going to your physician with ideas about what you want to try, rather than asking if exercise is OK. “If you start by saying, ‘This is what I’m thinking of doing. Is it OK?,’ your physician can rule out activities you shouldn’t be doing based on your condition and treatment and refer you to an expert if needed,” she says. Your oncologist manages your chemotherapy and radiation treatments, your case manager helps schedule your appointments, and your faithful friends have committed to driving you to them. While it’s heartening to know you have a devoted team on your side, fighting a mighty foe like cancer can still leave you feeling powerless. But there are things you can do to regain some control. We will give you the tools to help yourself heal—and simply feel better—during cancer treatment. DIET 1 14 | FA L L 2 0 1 2 million Between 1990 and 2008, overall cancer death rates decreased by about 23 percent for men and 15 percent for women. This translates to more than 1 million deaths prevented in the U.S. in the past 20 years. The effect: Proper nutrition helps maintain a healthy weight and muscle mass, provide the strength you need to fight cancer, and keep your energy levels up. But the side effects of treatment can make eating difficult, says Jodi Weinstein, a registered dietitian who specializes in oncology nutrition and is the author of Tell Me What to Eat Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment: Nutritional Guidelines for Patients and Their Loved Ones. From suggesting soft foods and smoothies for patients who have mouth sores to offering soothing recipes such as carrot ginger muffins for nausea relief, Weinstein works to help patients maximize their nutrition while still eating based on their symptoms. “There is no ‘cancer diet,’ ” Weinstein says. “We focus on making sure they get a balanced diet, but recommendations are individualized depending on a patient’s treatment and symptoms.”

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Central Carolina HEALTH - Fall 2012

Central Carolina HEALTH - Fall 2012
From the CEO
Contents
Health Beat
Julie's Journey
By Their Side
The Right Direction
The Right Tools

Central Carolina HEALTH - Fall 2012