Exercise May Boost Breast Cancer Patients' Quality of Life

Exercise May Boost Breast Cancer Patients' Quality of Life

Study found physically active women were less likely to be depressed, fatigued during treatment

SATURDAY, April 14 (HealthDay News)  

Exercise can help improve breast cancer patients' quality of life while they undergo treatment, a new study indicates.

University of Miami researchers examined the physical activity levels and mental/physical health of 240 women with non-metastatic breast cancer (it hadn't spread to other parts of the body) who were recruited for the study four to 10 weeks after surgery.

The women who were physically active had less depression, less debilitating fatigue and a better quality of life during cancer treatment after surgery.

"Women who are physically active may also have more confidence in their own ability to continue with family-related, household, work-related or social activities, which bring meaning and satisfaction to their lives. This may lead to appraisals of lower fatigue, heightened quality of life and less depression," study author Jamie Stagl, a doctoral student in clinical health psychology, said in a university news release.

The same researchers previously found that stress management improves breast cancer treatment.

The study was slated for presentation Friday at the Society of Behavioral Medicine's annual meeting, in New Orleans.

Data and conclusions presented at medical meetings should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed medical journal.

More information

The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more about breast cancer treatment.

-- Robert Preidt

SOURCE: University of Miami, news release, April 13, 2012

Last Updated: April 14, 2012

Antioxidants May Compromise Cancer Therapy

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) May 27 - 

A review of randomized trial data suggests that cancer patients should avoid the routine use of antioxidant supplements as they may diminish the efficacy of chemotherapy and radiation.

Still, findings from different studies are conflicting and, therefore, further research is warranted to determine whether antioxidants can be safely given during cancer therapy and whether any benefit is seen.

Although research looking at antioxidant use during cancer therapy has been on-going on for nearly two decades, it remains a controversial topic, lead author Dr. Brian D. Lawenda, from the Navel Medical Center in San Diego, California, and colleagues point out in the May 27th online issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

In investigating the impact of antioxidant use on radiotherapy, the researchers identified nine relevant studies, including two meta-analyses. Only three of the studies, however, were randomized controlled trials that specifically addressed the topic.

Results from the largest of the three trials suggested that antioxidant therapy reduced overall survival. However, there is evidence indicating that one antioxidant agent, amifostine, can protect certain healthy tissues from radiologic damage without increasing resistance in cancerous tissue.

Sixteen trials, including six that were placebo-controlled, were identified that looked at the effects of antioxidant supplementation on chemotherapy. There was no evidence that antioxidant use reduced treatment response rates, although the authors warn that none of the studies were really large enough to address this properly.

"Despite some intriguing studies that have suggested the benefit of adjunctive antioxidant treatments in cancer patients, the totality of the available evidence is equivocal at best and leaves us with serious concerns about the potential for harm," Dr. Lawenda's team concludes.

J Natl Cancer Inst 2008;100:1-11.

Las radiaciones y el riesgo de padecer cancer de tiroides

Las radiaciones y el riesgo de padecer cancer de tiroides

No hay discusión acerca de la relación existente entre las radiaciones ionizantes y el riesgo de padecer cáncer de tiroides. 

El número cada vez mayor de pacientes curados de cáncer, que han recibido radiaciones a la región cervical (el cuello), como aquellos curados de enfermedad de Hodgkin y otros linfomas, se ha visto acompañado de un aumento notable de la incidencia de cáncer de tiroides, relacionado con la radioterapia.

Así mismo, los sobrevivientes de la bomba de Hiroshima y Nagasaki, presentaron un alto índice de cáncer en esta glándula. Todo esto ha sido comprobado científicamente y nos ha llevado a tomar medidas de protección y seguimiento de cerca de estos pacientes, en procura de la detección temprana. 

Recientemente el Dr. Oz dedicó un show para tratar el tema de aquellos cánceres que afectan  a las mujeres, como es el cáncer de la glándula tiroides. 

Fue un programa muy interesante y  se mencionó que este aumento pudiera ser causado por los rayos X usados por los dentistas y
 por la frecuencia con que se hacen las mamografías.

Este doctor demostró como el dentista le pone al paciente un delantal o babero cuando le va a hacer los radiografías (rayos X). 
Este delantal o babero tiene una pequeña pieza o extra tela que se levanta y se puede envolver alrededor del cuello. 
Muchos dentistas no se preocupan de usar este protector para la tiroides.También existe una pieza de tela que se llama "protector de la tiroides" que se usa cuando se hacen las mamografías.
 

Pues resultó que al día siguiente una televidente que había quedado impresionada con la información, que al llegar su turno para hacerse su mamografía anual, preguntó al técnico por el protector de la tiroides y sorpresivamente éste lo  tenia guardado en una gaveta.


Esta persona preguntó por qué no se usaba ese protector de manera rutinaria. La respuesta fue que " No sé, es usted quien tiene que pedirlo"...pero resulta que si esta persona no se hubiera enterado por el show del Dr. Oz...esta persona no lo hubiera solicitado, porque 
no hubiera sabido nada!

   Pasemos esta información a nuestras hijas, sobrinas, madres, a todas las amistades femeninas !!! 

GUÍA NUTRICIONAL Y DE ESTILO DE VIDA

GUÍA NUTRICIONAL Y DE ESTILO DE VIDA

 PARA PREVENIR EL CÁNCER Y RETRASAR EL ENVEJECIMIENTO

• Estas medidas deben ser tomadas bajo la supervisión de su médico y únicamente después de completar la quimioterapia.

• Estas medidas deben ser individualizadas; por ejemplo, si usted es alérgico a la aspirina NO tome aspirina sólo porque se encuentra en el listado.

• Algunos suplementos pueden interferir con la quimioterapia o deben ser suspendidos 10 días antes de cualquier procedimiento invasivo o cirugía.

Términos comúnmente usados y definiciones

·      Metabolismo base

-       Velocidad a la que usted quema calorías sin hacer ejercicio.

Disminuye con la edad

·      IMC (Índice de Masa Corporal

Peso (kg) / Superficie corporal (m²)

·      Glicemia

-       Cantidad de azúcar libre en la sangre

Muy importante para los diabéticos

·      Antioxidantes

-       Son enzimas que mantienen el equilibrio fisiológico y disminuyen el estrés oxidativo:

a)     SOD (superórixo dismutasa): cataliza (favorece) la disminución de anión superóxido (O2) a oxígeno (O-) y  el peróxido de hidrógeno a agua y oxígeno molecular.

b)    CAT (Catalasa): convierte peróxido de hidrógeno en agua y oxígeno molecular.

Suplementos y especies

1. Multivitamínicos:  Se toma 1 al día

2. Ácidos grasos Omega 3

Se toman 2 a 4 gr por día (divididos en 2 tomas al día)

Ayuda a disminuir el colesterol

Tienden a “licuar la sangre”

3. Aspirina

-       Tabletas de 81 mg con cubierta entérica, tomar 1 por día

Para mayores de 35 años

Previene enfermedades cardíacas, infartos, trombosis (stroke) cerebral y cáncer de cólon.

4. Metamucil

-       Tomar 1 cucharada en 8 onzas de agua (antes del almuerzo).

5. Té de hojas verdes (japonés)

-       Contiene mayor concentración de polifenoles (antioxidante) y sólo 1/3 de la cafeína del té negro.

Deben tomarse suplementos de ácido fólico: el té verde depleta ácido fólico, especialmente en mujeres jóvenes en edad reproductiva, para prevenir defectos del tubo neural en los bebés.

Tres vasos al día (sin leche). La leche puede interferir con los beneficios del té verde debido a la proteína caseína.

6. Ácido fólico: 1 mg /día. Disminuye los niveles de homocisteína

                 Ayuda a prevenir eventos vasculares, strokes

7. Ácido pantoténico (Vitamina B5)

-       Tomar 150 mg en la mañana y en la noche

Aumenta el HDL

8. Coenzima Q-10

-       Tomar 200 mg en la mañana y en la noche

Puede ayudar a disminuir los dolores musculares causados por las estatinas.

9. Vitaminas del complejo B (B12/B1/B6)

                 Tomar 1 en la mañana

10. Magnesio (disminuye la inflamación)

-       Tomar 500 mg por día

Espinaca, frijoles negros, brócoli, guisantes (petit pois), granos enteros.

El agua puede ser una fuente de calcio y magnesio dependiendo de su contenido de sales.

11. Vitamina C (Ácido ascórbico)

-       Tomar 1 Gg AM/ PM

Excelente antioxidante

Buenos para las articulaciones y tendones

Necesario para aprovechar  los beneficios del colágeno en la piel.

Su deficiencia causa escorbuto.

Debe ser tomado junto con vitamina E

12. Vitamina E

-       Efecto Antioxidante

-       Tomar 400 mg / día

Tomar más de 400 mg al día, especialmente si se toma aspirina, puede aumentar el riesgo de sangrado intracerebral.

13. Vitamina D, D₃

            -    Tomar 1,000 a 2,000 unidades por día dependiendo del nivel sanguíneo

Estados Unidos es el segundo país con el más alto nivel de deficiencia de vitamina D, después de Escandinavia.

Aumenta la absorción de calcio en los huesos, aumenta la fuerza muscular, disminuye las fracturas de caderas en los ancianos.

Chequear con su médico sus niveles de 25 OH-Vit D en sangre.

Su deficiencia aumenta el riesgo de Enf. Cardiacas y cáncer

 

14. Citrato de Calcio

-       Tomar Dos veces por día en la mañana y en la noche.

El calcio es una resina, se une a otras sustancias, por lo que debe tomarse sola.

La vitamina D por sí sola no es suficiente, debe tomarse siempre un suplemento.

El calcio puede producir constipación.

Puede ayudar a disminuir la LDL.

El citrato de calcio es mejor absorbido que el oxalato de calcio, excepto en los pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal (enfermedad de Crhon y colitis ulcerativa).

Processed and Red Meat Consumption Linked to Slight Increase in Risk of Pancreatic Cancer

Processed and Red Meat Consumption Linked to Slight Increase in Risk of Pancreatic Cancer

By Anna Azvolinsky, PhD | January 18, 2012

Researchers in Sweden who analyzed several prospective studies found an increased risk of pancreatic cancer associated with processed meat consumption. They also found that eating red meat is linked to pancreatic cancer among men.

As more people are becoming aware that their lifestyle choices, including dietary habits, can have profound effects on health outcomes, studies such as this one can affect whether an individual chooses to eliminate or add a particular food to his or her diet. They can also add to the public dietary recommendations such as those published by the American Cancer Society.

The meta-analysis study, published in the British Journal of Cancer shows increasing red meat consumption by 120 grams a day increases the relative risk of pancreatic cancer. That’s an extra quarter-pound burger (whether adding processed cheese on top increases the risk is not known) or 4 pieces of bacon. However, the increase in risk is only 13%, which is not statistically significant.

When the effects on men and women were analyzed separately, there was a statistically significant effect on pancreatic risk among men who consume red meat. The increased risk of pancreatic cancer was almost 30%. The same comparison among women did not show an increased risk of the cancer. Because men had greater red meat consumption overall, the authors reason that there may be a threshold effect of pancreatic cancer risk detected only among men. The finding may also have occurred by chance.

Dr. Susanna Larsson, lead author of the study stated that the difference between the effects of red meat among men and women was unexpected. She added that she does not believe that this meta-analysis is enough to change people's dietary habits and that more follow-up studies are needed.

No sex differences were found for processed meat consumption and risk of pancreatic cancer. However, for every extra 50 grams of processed meat consumed per day, the relative risk increases by 19% for both sexes.

Speaking with CancerNetwork, John Milner, PhD, head of the Nutritional Science Research Group at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) said that he was not terribly surprised by the by the findings and pointed out that these results are consistent with a 20% increased risk of colorectal cancer and red meat consumption.

Dr. Larsson and colleague at the Division of Nutritional Epidemiology at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden used 11 prospective studies with over 6,000 pancreatic cancer patients to analyze the effect of processed and red meat consumption on cancer development. All studies were conducted between 1966 and November of 2011 and had pancreatic cancer incidence or mortality as their outcomes. Of those studies, 6 were conducted in the United States, 4 in Europe, and 1 in Japan.

The roles that environmental factors play in cancer development are difficult but important to identify. It is known that stomach and gastroinstestinal cancers are linked to higher red and processed meat consumption but whether dietary factors affect the development of pancreatic cancer are still not completely clear.

Is this study enough to convert red-meat eaters to vegetarians or at least to pescetarians? Probably not since the actual pancreatic cancer risk from having the occasional steak or burger is still quite low. The current lifetime risk of developing pancreatic cancer is about 1.4%. According to this study, that risk goes up to 1.7% with a daily burger or breakfast sausage. But, a relatively high red-meat diet also effects cardiovascular health. Smoking may additionally affect pancreatic cancer. Based on current evidence, not eating red meat daily may be good in the long run for your pancreas, and your entire body.

The importance of the study is the awareness that the pancreas is exposed to the nitrates and N-nitroso compounds found in red and processes meats through the bloodstream and that these compounds are carcinogenic. Animal models have been used to show that N-nitroso compounds can induce pancreatic cancer, according to the study authors.

Dr. Milner of the NCI also pointed out that the study did not do a good job of outlining confounding factors that may have had importance influence on the outcomes. People that eat a significant amount of red meat tend to eat fewer fruits and vegetables. Whether it is the compounds in red and processed meat or a lack of fresh fruit and vegetables is not clear from the study published by Larsson and colleagues.

Further prospective studies looking at a single environmental factor and subsequent multifactorial studies will shed further light on the role of diet to pancreatic cancer development. The challenge will be to control for other confounding factors such as genetic predisposition, weight, comorbidities, and exercise.

"Diet is incredibly important in determining one's cancer risk and the behavior of tumors. People don't respond to food the same, which has to do with our genetic makeup," Milner said.

Highlighting this point, Milner believes that there is likely a subgroup effect that is diluted by general population studies, citing a 13% overall risk that is likely higher in particular individuals. Certain individuals may have differences in gene expression that are more susceptible to the harmful effects from exposure to the compounds that result from meat digestion. The relative risk for these individuals may be higher than for the general population.

Teasing out potential environmental causes and the individuals that are most affected by them may help to prevent new cases of pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is one of the fastest developing types of tumors with a 5-year survival of only 5.5% according to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer statistics from the NCI. Whether red and processed meat consumption is a true, independent risk factor for pancreatic cancer is still an open question.