Nutrition is an important part of preventing and fighting cancer. When cancer patients focus on nutrition, they build their natural defenses and fight disease naturally. Even vitamin C therapy is being considered as a way to fight cancer. Though the treatment is experimental, it shows how advanced the body is in repairing itself with nutrients it needs. Especially with rare cancers like mesothelioma, treatments may be limited so consider how these nutritional changes or inclusions can help to fight cancer.

Studies have shown that a diet high in antioxidants can help to fight and prevent cancer. Antioxidants fight free radicals and protect cells from damage. Antioxidants can be obtained through fruits and vegetables. The most effective antioxidants include lycopene, beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin A.

It is recommended for people suffering from cancer to eat plenty of green leafy vegetables. Kale, collard greens, mixed greens and spinach are recommended for fighting cancer. If arthritis is also an issue, collard greens and kale are better choices than spinach, which is not recommended for people suffering from arthritis. Water retention may occur near joints such as knees and ankles. Carrots, tomatoes, oranges, pumpkin, corn, broccoli, nuts, mangos and soybean oil are recommended for cancer.

Tea, especially green tea, is thought to be effective in preventing and controlling cancer, but the American Cancer Institute does not recommend tea. Caffeine may be the reason why. The polyphenol compounds and catechins are antioxidants that are suspected to be effective in cancer prevention. The studies have been inconclusive, but there is strong evidence that leads experts to believe that the tea can be effective in healing cancer.

Garlic is suspected to reduce the risk of developing cancer in the gastrointestinal tract, but the extent to which it helps is unknown. Garlic helps with numerous ailments in addition to cancer prevention. If high cholesterol is a problem, garlic will help to lower the levels, and it also prevents colds from developing.

Nutrition is important for any patient who is fighting cancer. Without proper nutrition, cancer patients will feel fatigue and may develop aches and pains that they would not otherwise. Cancer patients should work with their physicians to develop the proper regimen because there are so many things that could negatively affect cancer.

 With the new year here, this month is filled with people making resolutions, some often too taxing to keep up throughout the year, but all with good intentions of bettering oneself. For a cancer patient, their life may feel too controlled by their diagnosis to make many changes or resolutions. There are many ways for cancer patients to make small, positive changes in their life that can help their health and outlook on their disease and life. The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance spoke to a few members of the team at Cancer Treatment Centers of America who gave us 6 excellent ways for cancer patients to make 2013 a year of positive thoughts and actions!

Everybody has stressors, but if you can do one thing to feel less stressed and more in control, that will help. For example, you can clean up some clutter which will give you a sense of control and help you stay positive.

Think about one small physical activity you can do to improve your health and that will help improve your outlook on life. A daily walk is a great place to start.

When people are rested they feel better and have more energy to have a positive outlook on life. Take naps ­ even for just 10 minutes it will help you stay refreshed and relaxed.

Choose foods as close to their natural state as possible, with as few added ingredients as possible. Eating foods in their natural state can help your body feel less sluggish from digesting heavily processed foods. It can provide your body with more energy to accomplish things and therefore can lead to a clearer mind.

A new study from the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston found that patients who go to public hospitals for lung cancer care get less effective treatments than those who go to expensive cancer-oriented hospitals. The study also showed that patients who receive their care from public hospitals were nine times more likely to have severe symptoms when they check in for treatment than those who attend cancer centers such as MD Anderson.

The study examined the care in two Houston public hospitals, one Miami public hospital, and MD Anderson, one of the most respected cancer care centers in the world. Dr. Charles Cleeland, the study’s author, said that the disparity of care between public hospitals and cancer centers has existed “for the last couple of decades”. He also noted that lung cancer care “is less well managed” for patients who are poor, unemployed, members of minority groups or those that have little to no health insurance.

The number of public hospital patients experiencing symptoms before admitting themselves for care was nearly double that of cancer center patients. The study, which followed the patients’ progress for two months, showed major differences in the quality of care between the cancer center and the public hospitals. Dr. Cleeland said that patients in public hospitals that were displaying symptoms were “not being corrected”.

Dr. Cleeland also noted that the reasons for the differences in care between public hospitals and well-known cancer centers are “very complex”. “I don’t think it’s the intention of those caring for those folks,” he said. However, he did cite that the lack of access to technical resources or cancer specialists for those underserved patients might be some of the reasons behind the disparity.

A similar study conducted at the University of North Carolina found that African Americans are less likely than Caucasian patients to opt for surgery to remove lung tumors. Surgical tumor removal is often the most effective treatment in the early stages of the disease. Dr. Samuel Cykert, the UNC study’s author, attributed the differences to “unintended biases in physicians”. Dr. Cykert mentioned that doctors who work with underserved patients “would be less apt to recommend surgery” than they would for patients who could afford the procedure.

“Advocating for oneself is very important,” Dr. Cykert said. “Being passive is bad.”

The two doctors do agree on treating symptoms early, rather than allowing them to worsen before seeking help. Dr. Cleeland stressed that doctors, nurses and other health care professionals need to help patients with the symptoms of their lung cancer as much as with treating the cancer itself.

“I think we need to strategize about how to help them (underserved patients)”, he said. “This (study) is characterizing their experience.”

According to public health officials, 62 out of every 100,000 adults will be diagnosed with lung cancer each year. Underserved patients are more likely to engage in cigarette smoking, the primary cause of lung cancer in America, and are also more likely to die from lung cancer.

Sources:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/20/us-lung-cancer-patients-idUSTRE75J6Y320110620

Defined by pain expert Margo McCaffrey, MSN, RN, FAAN, pain is, “whatever the experiencing person says it is, and exists whenever he says it does.” This certainly holds true in the treatment of pain associated with cancer. Approximately 30% to 50% of all people with cancer will experience pain while undergoing treatment and 70% to 90% of individuals with advanced cancer will have pain associated with the disease.

The good news is that cancer pain is completely manageable with a host of treatments that are readily available. The bad news is that many cancer patients are often under treated for pain due to a variety of common reasons.

Physicians treating cancer patients may focus solely on controlling or treating the disease and the accompanying pain is left untreated. Patients may minimize their pain symptoms or may think the pain is “normal” and neglect to inform the physician of this symptom. In other circumstances patients may fear becoming addicted to pain medications and therefore refuse to take them. These reasons, while understandable, are invalid and the current treatments available can help patients manage their pain.

Each cancer patient will experience different levels and areas of pain. There are three common types of pain associated with cancer. Acute pain usually sets in quickly and lasts only brief amounts of time. Chronic pain is consistent pain that sometimes worsens and lasts for long periods of time. Breakthrough pain occurs in chronic pain sufferers whose pain is normally controlled by medication. The plan for managing this pain is different for each individual. The goal is to provide the best pain relief while avoiding as many side effects as possible.

First-line pain medications are those medicines that are readily available over the counter or by a doctor’s prescription. First-line pain medications are used to treat mild forms of pain associated with cancer and include ibuprofen, aspirin and acetaminophen. These over the counter medications are not usually habit forming and can reduce inflammation in diseased tissue.

Our mesothelioma lawyers know that attorneys who defend the companies responsible for asbestos exposure are constantly trying tactics to delay and otherwise impede justice in these cases.

One such move attempted recently has been successfully thwarted by senate judiciary in Louisiana. Granted, this is a small victory in that it doesn't yet apply to all 50 states, but it may be looked upon by judges in other mesothelioma cases seeking some precedent.

Here's what happened:

Lobbyists for companies who for years had manufactured products with asbestos, a toxic compound known to cause a rare and deadly cancer called mesothelioma, had pushed for passage of House Bill 477.

This bill would have forced mesothelioma patients who filed lawsuits against the companies that caused their illnesses to disclose all potential defendants during the discovery process. Similar legislative measures are currently being debated in both Oklahoma and Ohio.

At issue here is the relationship among the more than 60 asbestos bankruptcy trusts that have been established as a result of extensive asbestos litigation. These trusts were set up by companies that could not afford to pay the large number of people they had caused to become sick. So through Chapter 11 reorganizations, companies were allowed to continue running if they established trusts, which they would continue to pay into and which mesothelioma patients could claim compensation, without having to endure a trial.

For some patients, there are multiple companies that are deemed responsible for their illness, and they receive multiple payments.

The legislature was aiming to force mesothelioma patients to disclose all defendants for each claim, thereby not only decreasing the person's chance of getting the full compensation he or she deserves (if there are multiple defendants, each one would argue a lesser percentage of fault), but also creating a lengthier process - something extremely detrimental to someone who may not have long to live.

HB477, which had passed unanimously in the Louisiana House, was struck down in the Senate by a 4-2 vote.

Supporters had said it would cut down on instances of fraud or abuse.

The real abuse, however, happened when these companies, out of extreme greed and disregard for the well-being of their workers and consumers, continued to manufacture products they knew were dangerous, in spite of continuous warnings from health organizations.

What's more, the U.S. Government Accountability Office took pains last year to investigate the trust system amid allegations of fraud - and found none.

It's believed there are roughly 90 companies in the U.S. that have filed for bankruptcy as a result of lawsuits stemming from asbestos exposure.

As of right now, there are approximately $37 billion in asbestos trusts. The biggest of those was formed by Halliburton, and is currently worth about $4 billion.

The Louisiana measure is the first of many. Lawmakers there say they intend to introduce another similar measure next year, while several other states are contemplating doing the same.

Promising new research indicates that mesothelioma may one day be treated with advances in something called photodynamic therapy.

Our mesothelioma lawyers read with interest the announcement made by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania.

To understand why this medical research news has caused a stir, you need to know that mesothelioma is a devastating disease. It takes many years to develop, but when it is ultimately diagnosed, it's always fatal. Patients rarely live more than a year or so beyond diagnosis.

That's what makes further mesothelioma research so critical - and what makes the results of this study particularly exciting.

Here's what we know, as indicated in a university press release:

The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania reported "unusually long" survival rates for mesothelioma sufferers who underwent photodynamic therapy (also sometimes called PDT). Now, "long" is a relative term when we're talking about mesothelioma. The researchers reported that the individuals who were treated by PDT were living as many as two years longer than those who weren't.

Dr. Joseph Friedberg, co-director of the university's Mesothelioma and Pleural Program and the lead researcher of this study, said he does not consider this a cure. Further, he doesn't consider anything short of a cure to be a victory against this devastating asbestos-related disease. However, the findings of this study have prompted the university to dedicate even more funding to further research of mesothelioma treatments.

We're talking about one of the deadliest - and most aggressive - forms of cancer that currently exists. It is almost exclusively caused by some form of asbestos exposure, which in the vast majority of cases happened decades earlier. However, once a person is actually diagnosed, they have sadly lost any hope of long-term survival. In fact, some 40 percent of patients don't live beyond one year.

The most common form of treatment is a major, invasive surgery to remove all or part of a mesothelioma victim's lung, followed by intense, whole-chest radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Even then, the person isn't likely to live more than a couple years.

Previous research by the university indicated that lung-sparing surgery, combined with this PDT, yielded better results than other currently available treatments.

What these researchers did was treat 38 mesothelioma victims with surgery that kept the lung in tact, combined with PDT, a light-based treatment. Of those 38 patients, all but one were deemed to be in the advanced stages (that is, 3 or 4) of the cancer's development. Prior to the study, it was estimated that the patients would live an average of 31.7 months. However, at a follow-up a few months later, doctors increased that survival rate approximation to 34.4 months. What it actually ended up being was 41.2 months.

This is extremely encouraging.

The doctors said that while of course they are ultimately seeking a cure, the main goal at this point is to extend the patients' lives as much as possible, and to further to improve the patient's quality of life during their remaining months and years. By enacting a treatment that allows the patient to keep both lungs, not only is his or her quality of life improved, but it also means the patient is going to be more likely to be physically able to withstand treatments over a longer period of time.

While this is all great news, it's important for mesothelioma sufferers to also seek legal counsel, mainly on behalf of their families. Because this disease is so devastatingly fast in its progression, it's possible that patients may not live long enough to see the outcome of the case. However, they may take some comfort and solace in knowing that not only is it possible to make the company or companies responsible for their illness pay, but their loved ones may be taken care of in their absence.

 Physical activity is known to decrease the risk for certain cancers and other serious illnesses. What's more, recent studies suggest that regular exercise can also improve overall health and quality of life for those who have already been diagnosed with the disease: this includes people who have just been diagnosed, those currently in treatment and even those in remission.

Cancer, and especially chemotherapy and other treatment methods, can have a significant effect on energy levels. Many patients experience fatigue and exhaustion of both the body and mind. Exercise can boost energy by getting the heart pumping and the blood flowing, which can improve energy levels throughout the day and lead to better quality of sleep at night.

Malnutrition and dehydration are common concerns among cancer patients. Treatments like chemotherapy, radiation and pain medication can often cause reduced appetite, which can quickly lead to malnutrition and dehydration. Without the proper nutrients and hydration, the body is unable to fight off illness. Due to this, symptoms of cancer and side effects of treatment can become worse. Regular exercise can significantly improve appetite, which greatly reduces the risks of malnutrition.

When it comes to physical fitness, cancer patients receive the same benefits as everyone else. However, for people with cancer, the benefit of improved overall body function is even more significant. Due to chemotherapy and pain management methods, nearly all cancer patients experience decreased body function. This often includes bowel and urinary disturbances, decreased mobility and general aches and pains. Regular workouts can help keep the body in better working condition by regulating blood pressure, relieving pain and improving muscle, bone and joint function. These benefits will improve the chances of remission as well as decrease the risk of other illnesses.

Depression and anxiety are common among cancer patients. Exercise can help relieve the symptoms of these conditions by promoting the release of endorphins in the brain. These chemicals boost mood and provide a calming effect on both the body and mind. Exercise also improves symptoms of depression by increasing self-confidence and allowing patients to take control and play an active role in their own treatment and recovery.

Although most cancer patients can benefit from exercise in some way, not all workouts are recommended for everyone. For example, for those who have received a mesothelioma diagnosis, difficulty breathing can make intense workouts challenging and even dangerous. For this reason, low-impact workouts like the following are recommended:

These workouts can provide many significant health benefits when performed on a regular basis. Thirty minutes, three or four times a week is more than enough to increase energy, boost mood and self-confidence, improve overall health and lend to better quality of life.

Before beginning any exercise routine, even if for those who were physically active prior to a cancer diagnosis, it's important to speak with a doctor. An oncologist or other trained medical professional can offer tips and advice, as well as recommend workouts that will work best on an individual level.