Cancer Treatment, Uncategorized

Five Diet Tips to Avoid Issues During Conventional Cancer Treatment

When you’re undergoing conventional cancer treatment, your dietary habits and choices can play a significant role in successful therapy. Here are five valuable tips on using your diet to manage side effects and boost your immune system.

5 Tips for Eating During Cancer Treatment

1.  Radiation and chemotherapy often cause loss of appetite and taste. If you find that you’re rarely hungry, try grazing on several small snacks or meals throughout the day. Experiment with different spices and seasonings to create strong flavors.

2. Do you find yourself suffering from nausea? Citrus, ginger and peppermint oil fight digestive queasiness. Ginger tea and ginger chews will settle your stomach without filling you up. Many people find it helpful to suck on a lemon wedge.

3. Bowel habits can cover the spectrum from diarrhea to constipation. Avoid constipation by drinking plenty of water and adding fiber to your diet, whether it’s from supplements or foods like beans and fresh vegetables. Choose beverages like sports drinks, broth and fruit juices that are high in sodium and potassium to combat effects of diarrhea.

4. Vitamins and minerals are natural allies of the immune system. Cancer patients are most commonly deficient in Vitamin D, which also reduces fatigue and supports bone health. Look for milk, yogurt, cereals and other foods fortified with Vitamin D.

5. When your immune system is compromised, it’s important to avoid foods that carry a risk of illness, including sushi and lightly-cooked fish, soft-cooked eggs, unpasteurized dairy products and unwashed produce. You should also stay away from processed and fried foods, which contain high levels of hydrogenated oils that can increase inflammation.

State-of-the-Art Cancer Treatment from Issels®

Our immunotherapy treatment programs focus on the body’s internal environment as well as the tumor itself. Contact us to learn more.

 

Breast Cancer, Uncategorized

Lack of Trust Leads Breast Cancer Patients to Skip Treatments

Many women do not trust the health care system and will often forgo radiation and drug therapy after breast cancer surgery. That is according to a survey of 2,700 breast cancer patients by researchers at Johns Hopkins University. Lead author of the survey, Lorraine Dean, said over 30 percent skip treatments that are intended to kill any cancer cells that remain after surgery.

Contact Issels® for information on how combining conventional treatments with immunotherapy cancer treatment reduces the likelihood of relapse.

Doctor-patient trust is crucial

Cancer is a devastating disease and it is understandable that patients experience feelings of helplessness. It’s not just women with breast cancer who are losing trust in doctors and the health care system, it’s the general public as well. People often feel that doctors put their own financial interest ahead of patient care. When patients feel their doctors don’t listen to them or take their concerns seriously, trust begins to erode.

For the best possible outcome, it is necessary that doctors and patients have a strong bond of trust. Patients should feel comfortable being fully honest with health care providers and the doctors should always remember that a patient’s trust in them is a vital and necessary component of proper medical care. Each person’s cancer is unique and treatment should be based on the specific needs of each patient.

Personalized cancer treatment

At Issels®, we have been practicing individualized treatment for more than 60 years. We want you to make informed decisions about your cancer treatment options. Contact us today for more information on our autologous (from the patient’s own blood) non-toxic cancer treatment protocols.

Immunotherapy for Cancer, Uncategorized

What to Look for If You Think Your or a Loved One Has Cancer

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Early detection can be a huge advantage for successful cancer treatment. Do you think you or a loved one may be suffering from cancer? Here are some of the primary signs and symptoms to watch for.

Difference Between Signs and Symptoms

While they may seem like the same thing, there is an important difference between signs and symptoms.

*Signs are measurable conditions, such as a fever, that can be observed by another person.

*Symptoms are detectable only by the person who is actually experiencing them. Pain and fatigue fall into this category.

Keep in mind that many signs and symptoms may be temporary and caused by something other than cancer. Be sure to consult a doctor if these conditions become exacerbated or don’t go away over time.

Possible Signs and Symptoms of Cancer

*Fatigue or tiredness that is not relieved by rest

*Significant weight loss or gain (10+ pounds) with no apparent cause

*Eating and digestive problems, including lack of appetite, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting or constipation, diarrhea or other changes in bowel habits

*Swelling, thickening or lumps in the breast or any part of the body

*Sudden unexplained pain that becomes more serious or continues to linger

*Changes in skin features, such as a new mole or altered appearance in an existing one, a sore that refuses to heal or a yellowish color in skin or eyes

*Chronic coughing and hoarseness

*Bleeding or bruising that appears suddenly without reason

*Pain or blood in the urine, or increase or decrease in frequency of urination

*Fever or night sweats

*Headaches

*Vision or hearing problems

Issels®: The Leader in Personalized Cancer Treatment

With our state-of-the-art immunotherapy cancer treatment, even many patients with advanced cancer have achieved long-term remission. Contact us to see how Issels® can help you or your loved one.

Cancer Research, Uncategorized

Tips On Healthy Living From American Cancer Society

How proactive are you about your health? According to the American Cancer Society, the healthy living tips recommended for patients undergoing cancer treatment can also reduce the risk of developing cancer in the first place.

Good Nutrition and Physical Activity Can Reduce Cancer Risk

According to the World Cancer Research Fund, approximately 20 percent of cancer cases in the United States are connected to poor health habits, including obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity and lack of nutrition.

Here’s a look at how you can start today to reduce your personal cancer risk.

1. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Excess weight puts hormones such as estrogen and insulin into overdrive, which can promote development of tumors. In addition to reducing cancer risk, maintaining a healthy weight prevents or controls diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other issues.

2. Be Physically Active

Exercise involves physical activity performed at a moderate or vigorous intensity. This can include gardening, walking and biking as well as more traditional forms such as sports and weight lifting. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity every week.

3. Follow a Nutritious Diet

– Avoid processed foods.

– Eat at least 2-1/2 cups of fruits and vegetables daily.

– Choose foods that are low in fat, sugar and calories.

– Cut back or eliminate refined carbohydrates in favor of whole-grain products.

– Eat smaller portions.

– Limit your intake of alcohol.

Integrative Cancer Treatment at Issels®

At Issels®, our personally tailored cancer treatment programs combine a number of complementary elements. Contact us to learn why we are the leader in non-toxic, state-of-the-art immunotherapy cancer treatment.

Cancer Caregivers, Uncategorized

You Must Take Care of Yourself While Caring for a Cancer Patient

When you’re caring for a loved one who is undergoing cancer treatment, it’s easy to put them first while losing sight of your own needs. While that feeling is understandable, taking care of yourself benefits both you and the patient.

What Is a Caregiver?

Many cancer patients receive treatment on an outpatient basis, meaning they still spend significant portions of time at home. “Caregiver” is generally used to refer to an unpaid friend or family member who tends to a patient’s day-to-day needs.

Caregiving can include anything from feeding, dressing and bathing a patient to providing transportation, handling finances and attending cancer treatment appointments. For many people, these duties are over and above the needs of themselves and other family members they may be responsible for.

Tips for Self-Care 

Caring for a cancer patient can be deeply fulfilling, but it may also be physically, mentally and emotionally draining. Here are some helpful ways to maintain your energy and spirits.

*Be sure to schedule time for personal activities you enjoy. This could include lunch with a friend, reading a good book or taking a walk.

*Don’t be afraid to seek support. There are a number of peer groups for caregivers, as well as counselors who specialize in this issue. If you’re religious or spiritual, this can be another avenue for support.

*Ask other friends and family members for help when the load gets to be too much. It’s neither feasible nor advisable to handle everything on your own.

*Keep up your strength and morale by eating a healthy diet. Plan regular meals with balanced nutrition.

First-Class Immunotherapy Programs from Issels®

At Issels®, we understand that cancer treatment involves more than just fighting the tumor. Contact us to learn more about our individual immunotherapy protocols and read patient testimonials.

Immunotherapy for Cancer, Uncategorized

Should Genetic Testing For Cancer Be Expanded?

Lifestyle choices, such as smoking and poor diet, can affect your chances of developing cancer, but some people carry a high risk for the disease in their DNA. The medical community is currently debating whether widespread genetic testing will do more harm than good.

Would Lower-Cost Tests Mean Greater Accessibility?

BRCA-related cancers occur when the genes that produce tumor-preventing proteins mutate to the point where they lose that ability. These genetic changes result in higher risk of breast, prostate, ovarian and pancreatic cancers as well as melanoma.

Testing can normally run into thousands of dollars, making it generally available only via insurance coverage to individuals with a strong family history of cancer. But biotech companies have come up with viable tests that cost less than $500.

When Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing

Experts such as Mary-Claire King, the award-winning geneticist who originally identified the BRCA1 gene, think that the new testing methods should be considered routine like Pap smears and mammograms. Others are not convinced.

Why is caution needed with the new genetic testing?

• Genetics is not a cut-and-dried specialty, and not all variations can be interpreted correctly.

• Some companies sell these tests directly to consumers without clear information about limitations and risks.

At this point, knowing your family history is still the best indicator of a possible genetic link to cancer.

Genomic Testing and Immunotherapy for Cancer

At Issels®, our immunotherapy for cancer treatments are personally developed to allow for individual factors such as genetic predisposition and lifestyle. Visit our website to learn more about our state-of-the-art protocols.

Individualized Cancer Treatment