Cancer Caregivers, Uncategorized

Tips on How to Prepare to Be a Cancer Caregiver

When a loved one has cancer, becoming their caregiver can help ensure that they have support and assistance from someone they trust. As a cancer caregiver, you might help them with daily tasks, accompany them to cancer treatment appointments, and offer emotional support. Stepping into this role can be challenging, especially if it’s new for you. The following tips can help you prepare to be a cancer caregiver for your loved one.

Set Realistic Expectations

No matter how much you want to help your loved one, you won’t be able to do everything for them. Set realistic expectations on what you can handle based on your schedule and abilities. Being realistic about the care you provide can help prevent you from becoming frustrated or burned out in your new role.

Ask for Help with Caregiving

Don’t be afraid to reach out to others for help with cancer caregiving. Make a list of other people you can turn to when you’re having trouble handling caregiving tasks, such as another family member. This can help alleviate the amount of stress you’re under, so you can avoid becoming overwhelmed.

Set Aside Time for Yourself

Taking care of yourself while being a cancer caregiver is highly important. Make time in your schedule to do something you enjoy or focus on relaxation. This can help ease stress and allow you to recharge, so you’ll have more energy and better mental focus.

Take Care of Your Own Health

Making sure you stay in good health can make it easier to handle caregiving tasks. Eat healthy foods, get plenty of sleep, and get some exercise each day.

If you need more information on cancer treatment for your loved one, please contact Issels®. We can discuss our immunotherapy therapies and provide additional details on our approach to treatment.

Cancer Caregivers, Uncategorized

When You and Your Family Disagree About Your Treatment Choices

Whether you opt for cancer immunotherapy or more traditional treatment methods, some family members may disagree with your choices. With open and honest communication, you can all work together to make sure you get the support you need.

Tips for Discussing Cancer Treatment

When a family member objects to your chosen form of cancer treatment, it’s usually caused by concern for you and fear of the unknown. Experts suggest the following tips for maintaining productive and positive discussions.

– As the patient, you are the one who will be directly affected, so your wishes should be considered first. You should also feel free to change your mind if circumstances change or you get new information.

– Talk about your priorities in choosing a particular course of treatment. Knowing what’s important to you will help others understand your decision.

– People may be uncomfortable talking about cancer and treatment options for a wide variety of reasons, including fear, lack of knowledge and religious beliefs. Ask a member of your healthcare team or an experienced counselor to be involved in the discussions.

– Identify problems that may arise during treatment so everyone is prepared.

– Find out from your doctor which decisions are urgent and which ones are less pressing. This helps reduce the amount of pressure that family members may feel.

Cancer Immunotherapy with a Personal Touch

Dealing with cancer is frightening for patients and their families. At Issels®, we refuse to let the disease rob you of your individuality. Our treatments are tailored to address your personal situation and needs.

Contact us to learn more about our non-toxic cancer immunotherapy programs.

Immunotherapy for Cancer, Uncategorized

Understanding How Cancer is Diagnosed

Healthcare professionals agree that early diagnosis improves the chances for successful cancer treatment. If you experience symptoms or a screening test calls for a closer look, these are the tests most frequently used to make a diagnosis of cancer.

1. Blood chemistry test

Our organs routinely release enzymes, electrolytes and other substances into the bloodstream. Abnormally high or low levels could be a sign that kidneys, liver or other organs are not working properly, which could be due to cancer.

2. Complete blood count (CBC)

A CBC, which is a detailed analysis of the bloodstream, is often conducted during routine physicals. Factors include the number of red and white blood cells and platelets, as well as the amount of hemoglobin, which is the protein that carries oxygen. CBCs are particularly useful in diagnosing cancers in the blood stream, known as leukemia.

3. Liquid biopsy

Liquid biopsies are used to find out if cancer cells or DNA from tumor cells are present in the blood. This test can be also part of determining appropriate cancer treatment and follow-ups to see if the treatment is working.

4. CT scans and MRIs

Both CT scans and MRIs involve taking detailed pictures of your body’s interior. A CT scan uses an x-ray machine, while an MRI involves a magnet and radio waves.

5. Biopsy

A biopsy is most often used to diagnose cancer, but it can also help diagnose other health problems, such as cirrhosis. When lesions, lumps or other tissue abnormalities are detected, a doctor will remove a sample so the cells can be studied more closely.

Cancer Treatment for Advanced Cases

At Issels®, our non-toxic programs have helped to achieve long-term remission in patients, even if they are already in Stage IV. Visit our website to read and hear their testimonials.

Immunotherapy for Cancer, Uncategorized

Immunotherapy: “The New Hope” for Cancer Patients

After years of research, scientists are still unable to pinpoint the causes and predictors of cancer with absolute certainty. The good news is that immunotherapy for cancer now offers hope for patients who previously had few options.

An Immunotherapy Success Story

One such patient was Tish Vigna. Four years ago she was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer in her left lung, despite being a physically fit non-smoker. She underwent a course of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery only to discover that the cancer had spread to her right lung.

Tish’s oncologist suggested that she enter a clinical trial of immunotherapy for cancer at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. After months of treatment, doctors found that the tumors had shrunk in half and there has been no subsequent growth.

How Does Immunotherapy Work?

Immunotherapy is a process of boosting the ability of your own immune system to fight cancer cells naturally. These treatments generally fall within two categories:

  • With adoptive T-cell therapy, doctors extract the attacking T-cells from a patient’s tumor to increase their numbers. The cells are then re-entered into the patient’s system where they are now better equipped for battle.
  • The immune system has a braking mechanism that prevents it from going into overdrive. Checkpoint inhibitors disable these brakes so the T-cells can attack cancer cells with full force.

Issels®: Leading the Way with Immunotherapy

While immunotherapy for cancer has been making a big splash in the medical community recently, Issels® has been successfully using these personally tailored treatments for decades. Contact us today for more information about our immunotherapy programs such as cancer vaccines and NK cells.

Cancer Treatment, Uncategorized

Managing Eating Issues from Cancer Treatment

Regardless of where a tumor is located, cancer treatment often interferes with a patient’s appetite and digestion to one degree or another. Here’s a look at the more common eating issues caused by surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, along with tips for relieving them.

Loss of Appetite

At a time when your body needs nourishment more than ever, you may find that you lack the desire to eat. This can result from pain, nausea or loss of taste and smell.

*Instead of eating three conventional meals, try grazing on small amounts.

*Get the most nutritional bang for your buck by focusing on peanut butter, cheese, canned tuna and other high-calorie, high-protein items.

Nausea 

A queasy stomach, accompanied by vomiting, is a well-known side effect of cancer treatment. In addition to interfering with nutrition, frequent vomiting may lead to dehydration.

*Avoid foods that are spicy, excessively sweet, fried or high in fat content.

*Get in the habit of sipping liquids throughout the day. Good choices include clear liquids such as tea, broth and ginger ale.

*Talk to your medical team about anti-nausea medication options.

Constipation

Changes in diet, lack of fluids and reduced physical activity can make it difficult to have regular bowel movements. Due to the discomfort, you are even less likely to eat well or move around.

*Add high-fiber foods, such as whole-grain breads and fresh, raw fruits and vegetables, to your daily diet. Be sure to discuss this plan with your medical team.

*Drink more fluids. Don’t use straws, as this can exacerbate the problem by causing gas.

Non-Toxic Cancer Treatment from Issels®

Our personalized immunotherapy programs allow patients to avoid many of the side effects caused by conventional treatments, so all their energies can be directed toward fighting cancer. Contact us for more information.

 

Cancer Research, Uncategorized

For People of Color, Melanoma is More Likely to Be Diagnosed Late

Two People of Color Holding Hands
Melanoma in People of Color

A commonly-held misconception is that people of color have little risk of developing skin cancer. It’s true that melanoma occurs less frequently, but the consequences of skin cancer among African Americans are more serious than most realize.

How Melanoma Affects People of Color

Data from a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology showed that people of color are most likely to be diagnosed with melanoma in its later stages, resulting in worse prognoses and lower overall survival rates.

Many believe that the higher percentage of melanin in darker skin protects from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays. A recent survey revealed that 63 percent of African Americans never use sunscreen, despite the fact that they actually can be susceptible to sunburn.

Causes and Warning Signs of Melanoma

Genetics and environmental factors also play a role in the development of melanoma, as they did with iconic reggae singer Bob Marley. The Jamaican native died at the age of 36 from acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), a form of cancer that appears on the palms of hands and the soles of feet.

Dr. Martitza I. Perez, senior vice president of The Skin Cancer Foundation, recommends that people of all ethnicities watch for the warning signs of melanoma:

• A sore or growth that doesn’t heal

• An ulcer or scaly red patch that crusts or bleeds

• Moles that are asymmetrical, larger than a pencil eraser, or display any sign of change

Cutting-Edge Immunotherapy for Cancer at Issels®

Our immunotherapy for cancer treatments have been effective against melanoma and many other types of tumors. Contact us to learn more.

Individualized Cancer Treatment