Today is World Cancer Day…
Cancer, a subject no one likes to talk about or see a family member suffer from. In January 2019 I had my first cancer scare when my mammogram revealed I had a small tumour in my right breast. Thankfully, mine was caught early and it was revealed to be a precancerous/premalignant tumour, I had it removed in February and had no other treatments afterwards. I’m thankful that it wasn’t worse. It caused me to pause and think about my own father who passed away from Colon cancer in 2005 and my aunt who passed from ovarian cancer in 2015. Cancer, it is real and it is scary. Let’s learn more and see how we can live well despite having a diagnosis of cancer.
Cancer is a disease that changes a group of normal cells in our bodies into uncontrolled, abnormal growth or lump or tumour. Only leukaemia doesn’t have a tumour, because it is of the blood. When these abnormal cells are left untreated these tumours grow and spread and surround the healthy tissues of our bodies. They use the bloodstream and the lymphatic system to get to other places in our body. The areas that are commonly affected by this are: digestive system, nervous system, circulatory system, and our hormones.
Tumours divide into three groups:
- Benign tumours: these are not cancerous and are rarely deadly. They don’t spread.
- Malignant tumours: These grow super fast and have the ability to spread and destroy tissues. They also have the ability to break off and form in other areas of the body. Scary stuff. This is called metastasis.
- Precancerous or premalignant: these are just abnormal cells which may develop into cancer if they are not taken care of.
There are also five main types of cancers:
- Carcinoma: Epithilial cells are the lining that helps protect and enclose our organs. Common cancers in this area are: breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, and colon cancer.
- Sarcoma: a malignant tumour of the bones or soft tissues, fat, muscles, blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues. Common cancers are: leomyosacrcoma, liposarcoma, osteosarcoma.
- Lymphoma and Myeloma: Benign tumours in the immune system. Lymphoma is cancer of the lymphatic system. Myeloma is cancer of the plasma cells.
- Leukemia: Cancer of the white blood cells and bone marrow.
- Brain and Spinal cord: Some benign and some spread in this area.
Whoa! A lot of information, isn’t it? It is enough to make you feel like you have been hit by a Mack truck when you receive the news from the doctor that your body is fighting cancer. I want to give you a huge, gentle hug and let you know you are not alone in this area. Rely on your support team of doctors, family, nurses, and friends to get you through this challenging time. There are some great things you can include in your wellness treatment plan along with the radiation and chemo therapy and surgery you may receive. Here are some great tips that I found from some reputable places:
- Exercise is something you can do while going through treatment, this will spur recovery quicker and keep you strong while fighting. It also helps with the fatigue you will feel.
- Proceed with care when you are exercising, talk with your doctor and get a physical therapist who has experience with cancer patients to help you come up with an exercise plan.
- Start slowly and don’t overdo.
- Drink lots of water
- And just so you know gardening and house cleaning counts as exercise
- You may try yoga and tai chi
- See a dietician who is certified in oncology nutrition for when you lose your appetite due to chemo or radiation.
- Eat small frequent meals: 5 to 6 times a day
- Add extra calories, like butter or cheese
- Keep nutritious snacks near you
- Drink high calorie drinks
- Drink fluids after you eat and not during a meal because the fluids will wash out the nutrition from the foods you are eating.
Moving your body while you are fighting cancer improves your physical abilities, balance, and lowers the risks of broken bones and falls. It also keeps your muscles from wasting away. Now, the type of cancer you have and the stage of cancer you are in may affect how much you exercise or what type you exercise. For example with radiation you do not want to go swimming.
If you want a cheerleader and support person to help you come up with a gentle exercise routine while you are being a warrior and fighting cancer Karen Clemenson of Wellness Works NW is the person for you. She will work with your care team and encourage you through the process.
Here are some links I would like to share with you:
- Exercising During Cancer Treatment by National Comprehensive Cancer Network Staff
- Physical Activity and the Cancer Patient by American Cancer Society Staff
- ThisIsLivingWithCancer.com
- Causes of Cancer by World Cancer Day Staff
- Related Articles
Jamie Holloway lives in the Portland, Oregon area. Since October 2011 she has been sharing her Journey Toward Health and Wellness with Vasculitis through her blog at JamieChasesButterflies.com. As most of her articles will be about Men’s Health, Jamie intends to write her articles as though she was sharing important information with her brother, nephews and friends. We hope you are as inspired as we are with the raw candor Jamie uses in her writing. If you would like to help support Jamie’s writing efforts please Donate now.
