Category Archives: Living with Cancer

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Cancer Research, Living with Cancer

UK Breast Cancer Patients Waiting Too Long for Diagnosis

UK Patients are Waiting Too Long For Diagnosis
UK Patients are Waiting Too Long For Diagnosis

At Issels®, our programs have focused on our patients for over 60 years. This includes providing patients with support and information along with the most current natural cancer treatments.

A recent report in The Guardian news in the UK notes that “17 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer waited for over a month to see a GP.” Even when the patients recognized symptoms, they chose to wait. Another worrisome poll by YouGov concerning breast cancer care states “one in 20 women wait more than six months” to see a doctor which decreases the opportunity to provide effective treatment at the earliest stages of their cancer.

Many of the women who prolonged visiting their GP convinced themselves the symptoms they exhibited were not serious. A significant number admitted they were too scared to schedule a doctor visit because they were afraid their fears would be validated.

Unfortunately, ignoring the symptoms of breast cancer, whether because of fear or denial, does nothing to tackle the cancer cells. Not seeing a doctor to get a proper diagnosis only allows the cancer cells to multiply.

Early diagnosis is the key to getting a jump start on the disease and patients are strongly urged to schedule an appointment, as soon as possible, whenever one or  more of cancer symptoms are present.

At our centers, patients receive immunotherapy along with other types of treatment and care with the use of non-toxic medications. Our goal is providing treatment and helping patients navigate through each step. For this to happen, it’s important to follow through with doctor visits.

If you have questions about breast cancer and need information about our programs, please contact our center.

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Living with Cancer

Cancer Caregivers Learn to Change Lifestyles as Part of Their Experience

Cancer Caregivers Learn To Adapt
Cancer Caregivers Learn To Adapt

Taking care of a loved one who has cancer gives both of you a chance to make some beneficial lifestyle changes. Researchers have discovered that the time between the last treatment and the first post-treatment appointment offers the best opportunity for cancer caregivers and patients to make healthy lifestyle goals and begin working toward achieving them. 

The Importance of Timing

Why is this time period so important? Patients tend to feel motivated and encouraged to stay as healthy as possible after completing all of their cancer treatments. This is also a good time for caregivers to join them in making a commitment toward adopting a healthier lifestyle. Doing so together helps both of you stay focused on your goals and hold each other accountable for making progress toward them. Your goals should be ones that will help you maintain physical and emotional health, such as eating nutritious foods and getting regular physical activity. 

Making the Transition

Developing healthy habits as a cancer caregiver isn’t always easy, so it’s important to look for community resources for advice and support. You’ll learn how to slowly make the switch to living healthier and get help with ensuring that you and your loved one both stick to your goals. Keep in mind that by the time your loved one undergoes the last cancer treatment, you might be feeling exhausted physically and emotionally. Plan on starting out with smaller steps instead of making large changes to make things easier for you and your loved one.

If you’re looking for a healthy way to treat cancer, contact Issels®. We specialize in offering non-toxic forms of cancer therapy, including integrative immuno-oncology programs.

Living with Cancer, Stress Management

Put Worry to Bed and Get a Good Night’s Rest

A Good Nights Sleep
A Good Nights Sleep

When you’re coping with cancer, making sure you get a good night’s sleep can be challenging. Between worrying about your condition and dealing with symptoms, you can end up having trouble falling asleep or difficulty staying asleep throughout the night.

Benefits of Improved Sleep

Taking steps to ensure that you’re able to get restful sleep is an important part of living with cancer. A good night’s sleep gives you more energy and allows your body time to rest and recover from the day. Not getting enough sleep affects your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off infection.

Tips for Getting Better Sleep

The key to improving your sleep quality while you’re coping with cancer is to make sure you’re feeling relaxed at bedtime. The following tips can help ensure that you’re in a better frame of mind for a good night’s rest:

  • Limit naps. Only allow yourself to take one nap of 45 minutes or less during the day. Just make sure you don’t nap after 4pm, or you’ll have trouble falling asleep later in the evening.
  • Unwind before bedtime. Take at least one hour to relax before going to bed. Spend this time reading, writing in a journal or listening to music instead of watching TV or using a computer or tablet.
  • Stay positive. Repeat a helpful, upbeat phrase to yourself before going to bed. Avoid researching your condition or discussing it between dinner and bedtime, which will help you feel less stressed.

If you’d like information on healthy ways to treat cancer, please contact Issels®. We offer integrative immuno-oncology programs and personalized non-toxic therapies to help you get better and feel stronger.

Cancer Research, Living with Cancer

Lung Cancer Grows in Women and May Surpass Breast Cancer

Lung Cancer On The Decline
Lung Cancer In Women

Breast cancer can rightly be considered the most significant disease facing women specifically. However, researchers have long warned that lung cancer rates could overtake breast cancer as the most fatal form of the disease in women. The Annals of Oncology have recently released a report confirming that 2015 may be the year that lung cancer kills more women than breast cancer across Europe.

Even while cancer death rates decline overall, lung cancer rates trend upward as the population ages. The statistics in Europe reflect a global truth: where smoking has been prevalent, both men and women face high rates of lung cancer.

The fact that this disease could affect more women than breast cancer serves as a reminder for necessity of awareness and prevention efforts.

There are several key issues to understand about the rise of lung cancer in women:

  • Many women began smoking after World War II. As the population ages, more women develop lung cancer. Smoking cessation can begin to reduce the rates.
  • Rates vary notably by country. Smoking has been more common in England and Poland than many other European countries. British women (21 per 100,000) and Polish women (17 per 100,000) exceed the EU average of 14 deaths per 100,000.
  • The trends represent a rise in lung cancer rates, more than a reduction in breast cancer rates.

At Issels® Integrative Immuno-Oncology, we study every case of cancer individually. Research into the overall trends provides another important facet of fighting cancer: if we understand why one form of the disease is becoming more common, we can better anticipate future patient needs. Contact Issels® to find out about holistic and individualized cancer therapies.

After Cancer, Alternative Cancer Treatment, Living with Cancer

After Cancer Treatment – For Many, Living with Cancer Includes Psychotherapy to Heal

Can I Live With Cancer?
Psychological Healing

We all have dreams, fantasies, ambitions, goals. A cancer diagnosis for ourselves or our loved ones is not a part of any of these things. No one includes a devastating illness in the mix when they are charting their course to a happy and fulfilled life. But for millions of people, they must find meaning, purpose, and joy after cancer treatment and as they adjust to living with cancer. It is part of Issels® Integrative Immuno-Oncology’s comprehensive treatment method to help our patients live both a long and fulfilled life.

Struggling after surviving

Cindy Finch is a columnist and self-proclaimed Professional Cancer Survivor. She shares how frustrating it was for her to tell her oncologist about panic attacks, mood swings, and sleeplessness, only to be dismissed and told to be grateful she was alive. While Cindy is grateful to the medical community for helping her overcome her cancer. She feels they should do more to help patients with the mental and emotional trauma it can bring.

Psychotherapy can help

For many cancer survivors, the time after cancer treatment is one of the most difficult of their lives. Psychosocial care from trained professionals who understand the needs of cancer patients is essential. If your treatment facility does not have this help available, be sure you find proper psychosocial health care and help spread the word about this important need.

At Issels® Integrative Immuno-Oncology, we specialize in personalized non-toxic treatment therapies and cancer vaccine protocols that utilize your own body’s immune system to combat cancer and prevent recurrences. We understand the importance and value of you. Contact us to learn more about our safe and effective methods.

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Living with Cancer

Cancer Treatment Weight Loss Guidelines from the American Cancer Society

Vitamin D To Reduce Risks of Cancer
Add In Some Milk

Even if you’re a little on the “fluffy” side, weight loss during cancer treatment is not good for your recovery. At Issels®, we want you to be as strong as you can during treatment, so we’ve put together this simple guide from the experts at the American Cancer Society.

Why does weight loss make recovery slow and difficult?

  • Surgical incisions require protein for repair and new tissue creation.
  • Cells killed by chemotherapy need protein for replacement.
  • Without the necessary nutrition, your body has to dip into lean muscle mass (in addition to fat stores) to find the necessary building blocks for new tissue.
  • Dipping into lean muscle mass reduces stamina and energy.
  • The culmination of the above effects can weaken your immune system and postpone treatment.

How much weight loss is too much?

  • 1-2% of your body weight in a week.
  • 5% in a month.
  • 10% over three months.

Maintain independence and take control of your treatment by focusing good nutrition.
Get close to your starting weight before your next treatment. Add about 250 calories per day to your diet by:

  • Adding a glass of milk to each meal.
  • Eating a snack in the car on the way to appointments.
  • Have ice cream as a bedtime snack if your mouth/throat is sore or appetite is poor.

Still losing weight?

  • Eat every two hours.
  • Add more frequent snacks.
  • Boost calories in foods you already enjoy.
  • Consider discussing an appetite stimulant with your doctor.
  • Develop a plan for your specific needs with a dietician. There may be free programs in your area.

Hungry for successful results? Contact Issels ® today.