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Send Us Your Questions
You Asked
Should I use supplemental support for surgery?
Is there a safe and natural treatment for skin irritation due to radiation therapy?
Can you list some natural strategies for support before, during, and after chemotherapy?
What are the 5 top foods to avoid entirely in any diet?
Should I tell my children I have cancer?
Books
Disclaimer
Should I use supplemental support for surgery?
Using natural remedies as part of your surgical treatment depends on how extensive your operation will be. Someone undergoing a relatively minor operation, such as a woman who undergoes a simple lumpectomy requires only minimal support, while another who has a complete mastectomy or major abdominal surgery needs much more extensive and continued support.
High-quality nutrition is essential for promoting recovery from any surgery. Extensive surgery, in particular, imposes extreme demands. Your body will need to create new tissue and blood vessels, repair damaged tissue, and manufacture extra cells needed to heal the wound, fight infection, and control inflammation. If you are lacking any of the essential nutrients necessary for creating these cells and regulating these healing systems, your recovery will take longer and you’re more likely to experience complications. Nutrients like protein, vitamins A and C, magnesium, copper, iron, and zinc are especially important in promoting wound repair and overall healing after a surgery.
Making sure that your body has plenty of reserves for healing prior to and after a surgery should become a primary goal to give yourself the best chance of success and a speedy recovery.
IMPORTANT WARNINGS BEFORE SURGERY: it is essential that you notify your physicians and other caregivers about all the natural products you are using. Ask specifically if there are any supplements or herbal medicines you should avoid before or after the operation. In all cases, be sure to follow the guidelines and recommendations given to you by your surgeon and other health care staff.
If you are looking for a Naturopathic Doctor to help you plan an effective treatment before and after surgery please visit www.oand.com or call (416) 866-8383.
Is there a safe and natural treatment for skin irritation due to radiation therapy?
Radiation therapy is usually a local or regional therapy, affecting only the tumor and the immediately surrounding area. For this reason, many of the side effects are specific to the region of the body being treated. Typically there is some reddening of the skin, and the area may become irritated, dry, or sensitive. A skin reaction may progress to look like a sunburn. The skin must be treated gently to avoid further irritation; bathe carefully using only warm water and mild natural soap. Avoid perfume and scented skin products and protect affected areas from the sun. Using Aloe Vera gel on areas of radiation burn can be beneficial. The soothing and wound-healing effects of Aloe Vera have been chronicled since ancient times. Use 100% pure Aloe Vera gel- the naturally occurring, undiluted material obtained directly from the leaves of the aloe plant. It is available at most drug stores and health food store. If the skin has not been broken, the gel can be applied liberally to areas of inflammation and damage.
Can you list some natural strategies for support before, during, and after chemotherapy?
Complementary natural medicines can help in three ways:
- By acting directly against cancer cells
- By protecting and supporting normal cell functions
- By reducing the risk of adverse effects of therapy
When selected carefully and used judiciously, natural medicine has been found to improve your chances for achieving the best possible outcomes.
The following dietary suggestions are especially important for anyone undergoing chemotherapy, especially the chemotherapy-treated patient suffering from loss of appetite or severe muscle wasting.
- Drink a high-protein smoothie once or twice daily. Smoothies can take the place of breakfast and can also be used as between-meal snacks.
- Stay well hydrated and drink 18 to 24 ounces of fresh vegetable juice daily, which can be taken with food –or better yet, take a midmorning juice break.
- It may be necessary to eat small frequent meals (every 1 to 2 hours) rather than larger meals less often.
- Use extra seasonings, spices, and flavorings to improve food’s taste appeal. A higher sensitivity to the taste of food may cause them to taste flavorless or boring.
- Eat soft, moist foods like smoothies, bananas, brown rice, yams, and so on, and avoid hard, dry foods – this ensures easy and regular bowel movements.
- Take small bites and chew completely to enhance digestion and absorption.
What are the 5 top foods to avoid entirely in any diet?
- Smoked or cured meats: bacon, hot dogs, smoked luncheon meats, sausages, ham, Spam, and so on. These products contain Nitrates to preserve color and maintain microbial safety. Nitrate is harmless, but it can convert to nitrite, which can form nitrosamines, a powerful cancer-causing chemical, in your body. Whenever possible, look for nitrate-free preserved meats. When you do eat foods containing nitrates, have a glass of orange juice at the same time (for instance, orange juice with your morning bacon). Vitamin C is known to inhibit the conversion to nitrosamines in your stomach.
- Meats cooked at extremely high temperatures or cooked to well-done.
- Heavily sweetened or artificially sweetened soft drinks, sweet powdered drink mixes, juice-flavored drinks, and so on.
- Fried foods, including French fries, potato chips, corn chips, and doughnuts
- Processed foods packed full of empty calories (sugar and fat) or salt (e.g. canned soups, theater-style popcorn, chips) and refined-white flour products.
Should I tell my children I have cancer?
Many parents wonder if they should keep the news of their illness from their children. This impulse is natural since children are so innocent and vulnerable. We always want to protect our children especially from fear and worry as much as possible.
But the truth is, children are more perceptive than we may think. When bad news strikes, children will sense the tension in the house. They know that something is wrong. It is a good idea to tell children what is happening. Presenting them with simple facts builds their sense of trust in you. Opening a channel of communication with them helps prevent their active imaginations from picturing something worse. Just as important, it gives them a chance to show you the love you truly need right now.
Exactly what to tell children, will vary with their age and developmental level. Young children in particular of ten have a difficult time when a parent is sick. Besides worrying about losing the parent, they may resent the lack of attention, and they may be confused by changes in routine. To help them overcome these feelings, you may want to consider asking family members or trusted friends to devote time and attention to younger children while you are ill. For example, occasional trips to parks or amusement places can provide fun and welcome diversion. Even bringing the kids along on errands can become an adventure. Simply having play dates at home can be both diverting and reassuring.
It is recommended that you speak with people you trust- physicians, nurses or other caregivers, therapists, religious advisers- about the best way to handle your particular situation. Family counseling may be appropriate. Also talking to cancer survivors and learning about their experiences can be helpful.
Books
The following are some books available to help children understand when a parent has cancer.
- Tickles Tabitha’s Cancer-tankerous Mommy, by Amelia Frahm and Elizabeth Schultz. Nutcracker Publishing Co., 2001.
- Becky and the Worry Cup: A Children’s Book About a Parent’s Cancer, by Wendy Schlessel Harpham. HarperCollins, 1997.
- Once Upon a Hopeful Night, by Risa S. Yaffe and Troy Cramer. Oncology Nursing Press, 1998.
For children ages 7 and older:
- Cancer in the Family: Helping Children Cope with a Parent’s Illness, By Sue P. Heiney, Joan F. Hermann, Katherine V. Bruss and Joy L. Fincannon. American Cancer Society.
For Parents:
- When a Parent Has Cancer: A Guide to Caring for Your Children, by Wendy Schlessel Harpham. HarperCollins, 1997.
Disclaimer:
Information on the Iranian Cancer Support Group (ICSG) website (www.iraniancancersupport.com) is intended to be used for general information only and should not replace consultation with healthcare professionals. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making medical decisions or if you have questions about your individual medical situation.
The Iranian Cancer Support Group makes every effort to ensure that the information on www.iraniancancersupport.com is accurate and reliable, but cannot guarantee that it is error free or complete.
The Iranian Cancer Support Group does not endorse any product, treatment or therapy; neither does it evaluate the quality of services operated by other organizations mentioned or linked to on www.iraniancancersupport.com.
Written by Dr. Tannaz Mokhtari – Iranian Cancer Support Group
Last modified on: January 21,2006
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