General Health Info Archives

Cancer is a broad category of diseases characterized by abnormal and uncontrolled cell growth.  There are more than 100 types of cancers and the disease can occur almost anywhere in the body. More than a million people are diagnosed each year in the United States with some form of cancer.  Millions more find themselves in the role of care partner or advocate. If you are one of them, do not be overwhelmed.

More resources for General Health Info from Patient Empowerment Network.

RESTORE Wellness Kitchen | Tomato Salad Sandwich

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In this RESTORE video featuring a tomato salad sandwich recipe, explore the potential health benefits of ingredients such as tomatoes, olive oil, basil and how they may help support immune function, reduce inflammation, and contribute to overall well-being.

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Transcript:

Lisa Hatfield:

Welcome to our RESTORE kitchen! Today, we’re making a delicious and refreshing tomato salad sandwich.

Start by slicing vibrant orange and red tomatoes. Tomatoes are rich in vitamins A and C, which support immune function and overall health. Arrange the slices on a plate and drizzle with your favorite olive oil based Italian dressing (and maybe a little balsamic vinegar). The healthy fats from olive oil help absorb fat-soluble vitamins and antioxidants from the tomatoes.

Add freshly chopped basil for that perfect burst of flavor. Basil has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, which can help reduce oxidative stress and support the immune system.

Next, sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the tomatoes. Parmesan is high in calcium and protein, essential for maintaining bone health and muscle mass.

Lastly, take two slices of toasted whole wheat bread, which is a source of fiber and can help aid in digestion. Place the dressed tomatoes on one slice and top it with the other slice of bread, and there you have it – a simple yet nutrient-packed tomato salad sandwich. Enjoy!

How Does Cancer Treatment Impact Nutrition?

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What are the impacts of cancer treatment on nutrition? Experts Dr. Amy Comander from Massachusetts General Hospital discusses the impact of chemotherapy and nutrition advice for overcoming the impacts of cancer treatment.

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See More from RESTORE

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Transcript:

Lisa Hatfield:

As a patient living with cancer, I’m always thinking about how my treatments might impact my nutrition or vice versa in some cases. Do I need to increase or decrease anything? Should I change my dietary patterns? I’m getting to the bottom of it with a respected oncologist in this Patient Empowerment Network RESTORE Program. 

Dr. Comander, can you give us a general overview of cancer treatment and its impact on nutrition?

Dr. Amy Comander:

Cancer treatment certainly has an impact on nutrition. And as I think about that, it kind of really depends where the patient is along his or her treatment journey. When we think about nutrition, certainly we know if an individual is going through active chemotherapy, often the taste buds change and things that used to be delicious don’t taste as good, and things that maybe a person didn’t like to eat all the time is the only thing he or she can tolerate, like a bagel. Nothing wrong with a bagel, but some of my patients tell me, “That’s all I can eat.”

But in general, when we think about a healthy approach to nutrition, I really counsel my patients on the benefits of a whole foods plant-predominant diet. Note I use the term plant-predominant. That just means it is so beneficial to consume a wide variety of fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Of course, it’s okay to incorporate a protein and maybe that’s a plant-based protein or maybe that’s fish or chicken, okay? But just thinking about the concept of half of the plate being full of fruits and vegetables is so important. And you might say, why is that so important?

Fruits and vegetables, the beautiful colors of various fruits and vegetables really reflect all those beneficial nutrients in the food that are also good for our gut microbiome, which is a term a lot of us hear now in the news, this term gut microbiome. And what does that really mean? Really refers to those microorganisms in our GI tract, gastrointestinal tract. And what’s really interesting is emerging research in some cancers is demonstrating that a healthy gut microbiome is really associated with how well certain treatments for cancer work.

So again, eating fruits and vegetables makes our gut microbiome healthy. And so this is so important for our health. Whole grains as well. Limiting red meat, limiting processed foods, limiting sugar-sweetened beverages. These are all the tips and tricks that I talk about with my patients. And if you want to really look this up and read about it and have a good understanding, again, the American Institute of Cancer Research and World Cancer Research Fund, on their website, they kind of have bullet points illustrating each of these points in terms of how we can approach a healthy diet after a cancer diagnosis.

Lisa Hatfield:

Okay, thank you so much for that information. A little shout out to a multiple myeloma doctor that I watch a lot, because that’s the type of cancer I have, her name is Dr. Urvi Shah, and she has done some research on that and recommends getting 30 different plant-based foods per week, not servings, but just the variety helps your gut microbiome. She’s done some research on that that I won’t go into here but, and it’s not that hard because we get to count all different kinds of lettuce in my salad, if I have romaine, spinach, and iceberg, there’s three right there. So thank you for those comments.

Dr. Amy Comander:

Yes, it’s a great tip to think about how can I get 30 different types of fruits and vegetables into my diet in a given week? And actually it’s kind of a fun challenge. So I love incorporating different types of lettuces into my salad. By the way, herbs count. So parsley, cilantro, things like that, those are plants. So it’s a fun game and it’s really a great way to make your gut microbiome happy and healthy.

Lisa Hatfield:

Okay, thank you. Dr. Comander, what are some key nutritional guidelines for cancer patients during and after treatment?

Dr. Amy Comander:

It’s so important to think about guidelines for nutrition because we know out there on the internet, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, there’s all kinds of people giving nutrition information. And for a cancer patient, it is very confusing and very overwhelming. That’s why I like to stick to the basics. What do research organizations such as the American Cancer Society, American Society of Clinical Oncology, AICR, American Institute of Cancer Research, what are we recommending?

And again, it’s thinking about a healthy diet pattern which includes an emphasis on whole foods, with fruits and vegetables and whole grains, limiting red meats, avoiding processed meats, limiting sugar-sweetened beverages, avoiding processed foods. If you go to the grocery store and you pick up something and it has 35 ingredients and you don’t understand what most of them are, you probably shouldn’t be eating it, okay?

So these are all some of the general themes that we think about when it comes to nutrition. I know it can be very scary and overwhelming, but just if you, again, think of your plate and if half of it is comprised of fruits and vegetables, a quarter is some type of whole grain, when I say whole grain, think about brown rice, whole wheat pasta, and some grains out there like quinoa and farro that maybe you’ve never tried but are really delicious and good for us.

And then a quarter of that plate, some type of protein source, whether that’s a plant-based protein or perhaps fish or chicken or something like that. But that’s really a great approach to thinking about nutrition. Another point I really need to emphasize is limiting alcohol. So, many people don’t really think much of having a glass of wine or two with their dinner each night, but unfortunately we know that for an individual with a diagnosis of cancer, especially if you’re on new medications or going through chemotherapy, in the best case scenario, alcohol really should be avoided or limited really to special occasions. 

Lisa Hatfield:

You heard it here from Dr. Amy Comander. Thanks for joining this RESTORE Program. I’m your host, Lisa Hatfield.

How to Create a Cancer Survivorship Care Plan

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What is a cancer survivorship care plan? This animated explainer video provides an overview of the key components of a survivorship care plan, advice for collaborating with your healthcare team when preparing for life beyond cancer, and the overall benefits of planning for survivorship.

 

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Transcript:

Whether you’ve just finished treatment or are years out from your diagnosis, a Cancer Survivorship Care Plan can help you, your loved ones, and your healthcare team manage your overall health. 

So, what exactly is a Survivorship Care Plan? This plan is your roadmap for the next phase of your cancer journey. It includes information about your diagnosis, prior treatments, follow-up care, and it helps you and your healthcare team monitor your long-term health. 

So, what should your Survivorship Care Plan include? Here are the key components: 

  • It starts with a treatment summary, which lists the types of therapy you received, the dates of treatment, and any complications that arose. This information allows your future healthcare providers to better understand your medical history. 
  • The plan also includes a follow-up care schedule that details regular check-ups, screenings, and tests. These appointments monitor for cancer recurrence and ensure any side effects are managed effectively. 
  • Potential long-term side effects of your treatment are also noted in a survivorship care plan. Having this information can allow you to be more aware, so you can communicate any physical changes with your team.  
  • Tips and guidelines for maintaining a healthy lifestyle are also added to the plan and may include advice on diet, exercise, and mental health support, which can all support your quality of life as a survivor. 
  • Another key component is contact information for your healthcare providers, including your oncologist, primary care physician, and any specialists you see regularly. This makes it easy to reach out when you need assistance or have questions. 

Creating a Survivorship Care Plan is a collaborative effort. Schedule a meeting with your oncologist and primary care physician to develop your plan. Here are some questions to guide your discussion: 

  • What specific follow-up tests do I need? 
  • How often should I see my healthcare team? 
  • What symptoms should I watch for that might indicate a recurrence or new cancer? 
  • What steps can I take to manage any long-term side effects? 
  • Are there specific lifestyle changes I should make to improve my health? 

Once your plan is in place, it’s time to take action. Follow your healthcare team’s recommendations and attend all appointments. So, what other steps can you take to stay proactive in your survivorship? 

  • Regularly update your plan and review it with your doctor or care team. 
  • Set health goals with your healthcare team and plan for potential challenges. 
  • You should also seek counseling to address your emotional and mental health when necessary. Keeping a journal may be helpful too. 
  • And, seek out support and resources from advocacy organizations like the Patient Empowerment Network and Cancer Support Community. 
  • It’s also a good idea to consider financial and legal aspects: Understand insurance, explore financial aid, and prepare legal documents as appropriate. 
  • Maintain a healthy diet, engage in regular physical activity and incorporate enjoyable exercises into your daily routine. 
  • Take good care of yourself – Lean on friends, family, and support groups for emotional and practical support. 

Remember, you are not alone on this journey. By creating and following a Survivorship Care Plan, you’re taking an important step toward living well after cancer. To learn more about cancer survivorship and access support resources, visit powerfulpatients.org.  

How Can Wellness Interventions Aid Patients During and After Treatment?

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How can wellness interventions aid cancer patients during and after treatment? Experts Dr. Amy Comander from Massachusetts General Hospital and Nicole Normandin Rueda, LMSW from PEN discuss benefits of different wellness practices, practical wellness strategies, and support resources.

Download Resource Guide

See More from RESTORE

Related Resources:

How Do Wellness Practices Impact Cancer Care Outcomes?

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Transcript:

Lisa Hatfield:

How can wellness interventions help patients during and after cancer treatment? And what specific practices might help? I have many questions. I’m getting to the bottom of it in this Patient Empowerment Network RESTORE program.

Dr. Comander, how can wellness interventions help folks like myself during and after treatment? And while there seems to be only pros here, can you also speak to any risks of certain wellness practices during cancer treatment? And how can patients mitigate these risks?

Dr. Amy Comander:

Such an excellent question. And I do think it’s really important for us to focus on things that a patient can do after his or her diagnosis to take control of one’s health. We know there’s nothing scarier than getting a diagnosis of cancer and going through treatment for cancer. So we want to think about practical strategies that people can employ to feel better, tolerate their treatments better, and ultimately improve their health.

So let’s pick one of my favorites, which is exercise. I know for some people that word exercise sounds intimidating, scary. Maybe they’re not someone who ever really practiced exercise on a regular basis and so when their doctor or nurse practitioner or social worker is talking to them about this, they feel kind of intimidated. Well, I will say a new field emerging is actually called exercise oncology. It’s really fascinating. And we’re really learning about what is actually happening in the body when an individual exercises, what is going on at the cellular level that may actually be fighting the cancer.

And this is really interesting and exciting. And I love reading these scientific papers. But we’re not going to get into that right now. Let’s just talk about, when you talk about practical strategies, if you’re someone who really has not been active, just walking to the mailbox to get the mail. Try to do that each day. Maybe taking a walk in your dining room, a few laps around the dining room table, if you have one, just something basic like that, walking your dog, walking a friend’s dog. Like everyone has to start somewhere.

So when we talk to our patients about exercise, we just meet them where they are and help them get started with something. And I know this sounds very intimidating, but organizations such as the American Cancer Society, American College of Sports Medicine, and my organization, American Society of Clinical Oncology, strongly recommend that individuals going through cancer treatment engage in exercise. And so you just have to start somewhere. So why is this important? Exercise has been shown to help patients tolerate their treatment better, reduce side effects, reduce the need for dose reductions, improve the fatigue that is often associated with cancer, and in many cases, reduce risk of recurrence and improve the outcome. So there are so many reasons to do it.

You also ask about risks. And I can understand that many people are fearful of starting an exercise program if this is not something they’ve been doing on a regular basis. So I would encourage patients to talk to their doctor just to address any particular concerns. Certainly, let’s say an individual has cancer involving their bone and they’re worried that they might be at risk for a fall and a fracture. That’s something they should certainly talk about with their doctor.

As a breast oncologist, I care for many women who are concerned about risk for lymphedema. Lymphedema is swelling of the arm, perhaps on the side of the surgery. And my patients are often worried, will that get worse if she starts a strength training program? Actually, it will not, but that’s a good question for her doctor or her physical therapist. So I think it’s really important to think about exercise as the number one wellness intervention that we want to address. 

Lisa Hatfield:

Okay, thank you. And over to you, Nicole, what are some common wellness practices that cancer patients can adopt during treatment? And how can patients be empowered to take an active role in their wellness during and after cancer treatments?

Nicole Normandin Rueda:

Great question. So just like Dr. Comander said, so physical activity, starting somewhere is going to be of the utmost importance. Nutrition, balanced diet, making sure you’re hydrated, you are following all the recommendations from your medical team regarding what you consume, avoiding anything that you probably shouldn’t be consuming. Stress reduction techniques are all, mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing, the things that help you kind of get back to calm is really critical. We want to make sure patients are aware of their sleep. So the sleep cycle is one of those things that people often complain about, but aren’t really informed on how important it is to your actual overall well-being.

And so if that is an issue, we want to make sure that we are referring them to the appropriate specialist in order to help get that resolved. Social connections, again, huge. We want to make sure people understand that there are organizations and people out there that are here to just serve and help as much as we can. Maintaining the relationships, not just with their immediate family and friends, but also making new connections and new relationships with people that are going to support them throughout this journey is important.

For me as a social worker, empowering patients is what I do…it’s why I’m here. We want patients to have an active role in their wellness, both during and after treatment, because we know, as trained individuals, we know that that is going to overall have a positive impact in their quality of life, in their family’s experience throughout the cancer journey. And that’s important. This is a stressful time for a lot of people. So in order to do that, we always want to make sure we’re providing education and that is first and foremost going to come from the medical providers. Follow up to that would then be everything else, all the ancillary services.

So you have organizations, Patient Empowerment Network. We are very focused on providing evidence-based information in an easy to understand way. And so that is one of those organizations that, as a social worker, I would refer everybody to. But there are others that are doing fantastic things providing education on all sorts of topics, anything that you could possibly want. There are organizations that are doing it well. Now that’s the thing, we want to make sure that we are referring patients to get evidence-based, research-backed information for them to consume and digest at their own pace. Next would be advocacy. If you don’t have a strong advocate in your corner, or if you are not comfortable speaking up or asking questions, this is one of those things that is so incredibly important when it comes to empowering patients to really be involved in their care.

And I can tell you firsthand, my mom was my dad’s biggest advocate. It was kind of embarrassing at times, but in hindsight, thank goodness, because had she not been so ferocious and asked so many questions, there’s a lot of things that we wouldn’t have known as a family going through a cancer diagnosis. So that’s really important. And I know working with medical teams, they want somebody to ask questions, they want to be able to provide as much information as they can. That’s a good backbone for people to understand, that their medical teams are going to want to make sure that they walk out of the room feeling like they have the information they need. 

And so we want to make sure that we are providing as much information, as many resources as we can. And then it is up to the patient and their care partners or their family members to then take that and run with it. But we want to be able to make sure that we’re giving them what they need in order to ask the right questions at the right time to the right people. And if they have the resources that they need to go and make it happen.

Lisa Hatfield:

Okay, thank you so much, Nicole. You heard it here directly from the experts. Thanks for joining this RESTORE Program. I’m your host, Lisa Hatfield.

How Do Wellness Practices Impact Cancer Care Outcomes?

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What are the impacts of wellness practices on cancer care outcomes? Experts Dr. Amy Comander from Massachusetts General Hospital and Nicole Normandin Rueda, LMSW from PEN discuss the field of lifestyle medicine, the six pillars of lifestyle medicine, research results, and wellness resources for cancer patients. 

Download Resource Guide

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Why Is It Important to Address Whole Person Care?

Transcript:

Lisa Hatfield:

How do wellness practices impact cancer care outcomes? I’m getting to the bottom of it in this RESTORE Program. Dr. Comander, you have a strong interest in cancer survivorship, lifestyle medicine, and improving outcomes of patients facing cancer. Can you speak to the impact of wellness practices on cancer treatment outcomes and what are we learning?

Dr. Amy Comander:

So I’ve gotten very interested in the field of lifestyle medicine over the past few years. And I think it’s really important to define what that is to those who are just learning about that term for the first time. So lifestyle medicine refers to the therapeutic use of evidence-based lifestyle interventions to prevent and treat chronic diseases. In addition, those who are trained in lifestyle medicine work to empower the patient to adopt these tools and make effective behavior changes. 

The six pillars of lifestyle medicine include physical activity, attention to diet, social connection, avoidance of risky substances, stress management, and adequate sleep. These are so important for the care of our patients with cancer from the time of diagnosis and beyond. And at our hospital we’ve developed a program where we provide individualized consultations to counsel our patients on each of these pillars to help them optimize their health and well-being, and in many cases, outcome from cancer. There are emerging studies demonstrating the important role of these lifestyle behaviors for improving outcome for our patients.

As a breast oncologist, I can tell you that there are significant studies demonstrating that individuals with a diagnosis of breast cancer who are able to exercise, whether that’s during treatment or after completion of primary treatment, actually have a lower risk of recurrence and improved outcome from their breast cancer. This is very powerful data, and we’re actually seeing this in other cancer types as well. So it’s very important that we in the oncology field provide our patients with these tools so they can engage in these six pillars of lifestyle medicine to improve their health and well-being.

Lisa Hatfield:

Okay, thank you for that. One quick follow-up question, and then I have a question for Nicole. So if a patient does not have a lifestyle medicine specialist, I guess that’s how I think of you, who, what is the resource, like at a local community center, could they ask the social worker there to help me out with these additional aspects of my cancer treatment? Who would they go to for those questions?

Dr. Amy Comander:  

Such an excellent question, and I know I’m fortunate that we have this wonderful program that we started. I would say that in terms of exercise, if you have access to a YMCA, many YMCAs have a program called the  LIVESTRONG Program, which is a free exercise program for cancer survivors, and many individuals take advantage of that, and that’s a great resource. If you can’t access a YMCA, thankfully, due to technology like this, we now have the opportunity to offer all kinds of exercise programs on YouTube or through an entity called the Maple Tree Cancer Alliance. There’s so many options potentially available online for somebody who wants to take on an exercise program. I’ll pick another important pillar of lifestyle medicine, nutrition.

One, we know there’s so much information out there on the internet, but one organization that does a very good job on conveying important evidence-based nutrition information is the American Institute of Cancer Research, AICR. So I often refer my patients to that site where they can read articles about nutrition, check out recipes, and, again, it’s very evidence-based and based on research that I trust, and so I think that’s a great resource for individuals who might not have access to an oncology-registered dietician at their hospital.

Lisa Hatfield:

Okay, thank you. And Nicole, are there specific wellness practices that have been shown to improve treatment outcomes for patients facing a cancer diagnosis?

Nicole Normandin Rueda:

Yeah, absolutely. So research has shown that adopting certain wellness practices can significantly improve your quality of life and potentially enhance treatment outcomes. Patients that have physical activity, and what that looks like is different for every patient. So regular exercise can mean a lot of different things. At the end of the day, from my perspective, the importance is that you’re moving your body. So if you start with just stretching, yoga, things to get your body start to start moving, it’s better than absolutely nothing, and then you work your way up to as much as you can endure. That’s key, I think, just like Dr. Comander just said.

Second, we have nutrition. So the balanced diet is difficult for everybody, but whenever it comes to a cancer diagnosis, you really want to take into consideration whatever your doctor’s recommending, and that’s specific to your treatment potentially. But as well as just making sure that you are nourishing your body, getting enough water, staying hydrated, all of the basics.

Next, I know that mindfulness and stress reduction techniques are huge. These practices, including like meditation, yoga, just deep breathing exercises to help kind of reduce that stress level, improve your overall clarity and mental health is really important. We want patients to stay as cool, calm, and collected as they can be. And so even just taking some deep breaths in through your nose, out through your mouth, these things are critical. And then I think another big one is the psychological side of things.

So psychosocial is one of those words that doesn’t mean anything to a lot of people, but to those of us who are trained, we understand that psychosocial means everything around you, everything that interacts with you is impacted by this cancer diagnosis. So we want to make sure we are connecting patients with all of the support groups that we can possibly think of. If that’s what they’re looking for. We also want to take into consideration the cultural situation. So if that means that you really don’t want to sit in a room with others, but you want to just read a blog from somebody like an empowerment lead or something like that, that can also be helpful.

And that is what patients are looking for now is easy access to information that is evidence-based, of course, but also that is just testimonial, somebody that’s been there and can guide them through what it’s like to, yeah, it is okay to talk to others, and it is okay to ask for help when you need it. So we really want to encourage that as much as possible. And obviously we want to foster a sense of community. We want everybody to understand you’re not alone. And there’s organizations out there doing fantastic things. Patient Empowerment Network is one of them, but there’s also so many others that are just doing fantastic things to support patients in every aspect of their cancer diagnosis.

Lisa Hatfield:

Thank you, Nicole. You heard it here directly from the experts. Thanks for joining this RESTORE Program. I’m your host, Lisa Hatfield.

What Is Whole Person Care Exactly?

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Whole person care is a key part of cancer treatment, but what does it mean exactly? Experts Dr. Amy Comander from Massachusetts General Hospital and Nicole Normandin Rueda, LMSW from PEN discuss the meaning, aspects, and benefits of whole person care for cancer patients.

Download Resource Guide

See More from RESTORE

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 How Can Healthcare Systems Better Approach Whole Person Care?

How Can Healthcare Systems Better Approach Whole Person Care?

 Why Is It Important to Address Whole Person Care?

Why Is It Important to Address Whole Person Care?

Transcript:

Lisa Hatfield:

We hear about the importance of wellness during and after cancer treatment. Some refer to it as whole person care or lifestyle medicine, but what is it really? I’m getting to the bottom of it in this Patient Empowerment Network RESTORE Program. 

Dr. Comander, can you explain the concept of whole person care in the context of cancer treatment, and why are these concepts or strategies important for patients and care partners to understand?

Dr. Amy Comander:

Thank you for that excellent question. As an oncologist, I really focus on providing care for the whole patient or really taking what we also refer to as a patient-centered approach, certainly taking into account my patient’s diagnosis, the stage of the cancer, and the appropriate treatments, but also how can I best address all the other needs my patient is facing, whether that’s transportation to appointments, her goals when it comes to her treatment plan, her neighborhood she lives in and how easy it is for her to get to appointments and get outside to get exercise, and really thinking about all of these needs and integrating them as I formulate a treatment plan and also bringing in other members of our team to address the needs that my patient may face so we can really take care of the whole patient. So I’m so glad that you asked about that.

Lisa Hatfield:

Thank you. Nicole, can you share what the meaning of a whole person care is for you as a social worker? As you interact with patients, how do you explain it to them?

Nicole Normandin Rueda:

Sure. So whole person care means you’re addressing not just the physical aspects of cancer, but also the emotional, social, psychological, and spiritual dimensions of the patient’s experience. 

The approach recognizes that cancer affects every aspect of a patient’s life and that effective care must go beyond just the traditional medical treatments. It also includes everything from nutrition, physical activity, counseling. It’s very personalized to the patient, meaning we take the time to get to know the patient, figure out how we can help tailor the interventions that we’re going to suggest to their specific needs, including everything that we need to consider, such as their personal, cultural, or social context. And finally, it’s holistic. So we’re addressing emotional, psychological, social challenges that may arise.

In addition to just being diagnosed with cancer, everything else that’s compounded whenever that happens to somebody, we want to make sure that we are addressing as much of that as possible. So whenever I’m interacting with patients, I’m the social worker that comes in and really just gets to explain all of this from A to Z, that we are, as a team, we’re going to take a comprehensive approach that treats them as individuals, rather as just focusing on treating the disease.

I emphasize that we’re looking at their overall well-being, helping them manage their day-to-day life, as well as everything else that comes with a cancer diagnosis, their side effects, the emotional stress, the financial issues that may come about, the change in roles, the cultural things that may come up. All of these things will be addressed in some way or another, depending on what the needs of the patient are.

Lisa Hatfield:

You heard it here directly from the experts. Thanks for joining this RESTORE Program. I’m your host, Lisa Hatfield.

Food Recommendations for AML Patients to Eat or Avoid Post Transplant with Know AML

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Editor’s Note: This was originally published by Know AML on April 20, 2022 here.

 

For the AML World Awareness Day, Know AML was pleased to speak with Katie Walker, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. They asked, “In your clinic, what foods do you recommend patients with acute myeloid leukemia should eat or avoid post transplant?”

She begins by prefacing the goals of her food recommendations, to help patients regain or stabilize their weight after a bone marrow transplant and gain strength. Walker outlines the different food groups, and highlights the importance of increased protein and its various sources. Finally, she discusses foods to omit such as unpasteurized dairy for those with a low neutrophil count.

Disclaimer: This video is for informational or educational purposes only, and does not substitute professional medical advice or consultations with healthcare professionals.

Maintaining a Health Diet During Cancer Treatment with Know AML

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Editor’s Note: This was originally published by Know AML on April 20, 2022 here.

 
 

 

For the AML World Awareness Day, Know AML was pleased to speak with Katie Walker, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. They asked, “Why is it important to maintain a healthy diet during treatment?”

Walker begins by explaining the content of a balanced diet in the context of different food groups. She discusses meat and dairy alternatives, as well as specific recommendations within food groups such as opting for wholemeal carbohydrates to increase fiber. Finally, she touches on supplements, weight maintenance, and reduction of appetite.

Disclaimer: This video is for informational or educational purposes only, and does not substitute professional medical advice or consultations with healthcare professionals.

Nutrition Essentials for Cancer Patients: Optimizing Health During and After Treatment with Savor Health® and Ina®

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Proper nutrition plays a pivotal role in supporting cancer patients both during and after treatment. Throughout treatment, understanding which foods to eat/avoid, managing symptoms, and preventing unintended weight loss are paramount. During treatment, patients may experience low blood counts. Food safety precautions can protect against infection from bacteria on food. While adhering to this regimen, wash all fruits and vegetables well and avoid deli meats and unpasteurized dairy foods. Also, cook all meat, fish, and eggs thoroughly. 

Treatment frequently accompanies adverse side effects like fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, and taste alterations. Mitigating these symptoms can be achieved through consuming small, frequent meals, prioritizing eating during periods of feeling well, and incorporating ginger tea to alleviate nausea. For those experiencing symptoms like vomiting, nausea or diarrhea, maintaining hydration levels is particularly important, alongside consuming easy to digest foods like plain toast, yogurt, or bananas. For taste changes, altering the flavors of food by using different fats, acids, salts or sweets can help. Avoid metal utensils if you experience a metallic taste. 

After-treatment, maintaining a balanced diet remains crucial. Reducing consumption of red meat, alcohol, and added sugars is advisable, as well as avoiding processed meats. Substituting with plant-based proteins such as nuts, seeds, whole soy foods, beans and legumes can provide plant-based protein and fiber, which lower cancer risk. Hydration and regular physical activity, aiming for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily, are vital components of the survivorship phase. Monitoring symptoms and maintaining open communication with healthcare providers ensures ongoing support and adjustments as needed. 

Savor Health® and Patient Empowerment Network partner to offer access to Ina®, a Dietitian-on-Demand. Ina® provides personalized clinically and contextually appropriate nutrition and symptom management interventions 24/7 “on demand” via SMS text. This helps patients with complex chronic conditions stay on treatment, prevent and manage side effects, and optimize treatment outcomes. Text Ina® from your cell phone and she’ll respond with personalized nutrition tips, recipes and answers to your questions—no phone calls or appointments necessary. It is safe (HIPPA compliant), free and accessible 24/7 “on demand” through our partnership. Register for Ina® here: https://adpen.savorhealth.com/portal/ 

Cancer Survivorship | The Positive Impact of Peer Support

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Cancer Survivorship | The Positive Impact of Peer Support from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

Dr. Kathleen Ashton and Erica Watson, a cancer survivor and patient advocate, discuss the importance of giving and receiving peer support for people with cancer and its positive impact.

Dr. Kathleen Ashton is a board-certified clinical health psychologist in the Breast Center, Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute at Cleveland Clinic. Learn more about Dr. Ashton.
 
Erica Watson is a breast cancer survivor and patient advocate.
 

Related Resources:

What Does Cancer Survivorship Mean?What Does Cancer Survivorship Mean? Cancer Survivorship | Ongoing Healthcare and Follow-Up

Cancer Survivorship | Ongoing Healthcare and Follow-Up

 Becoming Empowered: Navigating Obstacles to Empowerment That Can Lead to Better HealthNavigating Obstacles to Empowerment That Can Lead to Better Health 

Transcript:

Katherine Banwell:

Dr. Ashton, what can you tell us about the importance of peer-to-peer support in cancer care and survivorship?  

Dr. Ashton:

I think peer-to-peer support is so important for survivors.  

It really gives survivors the chance to talk with other people who really understand what it’s like going through this process. So, as a professional I can tell patients the science and give them tools and what works, and their oncologists can tell them what’s important for them to do, but the lived experience is so important. So, in our group program they get some of that peer-to-peer support. And when Erica says, “Hey, it really helped me to bring someone with me to my scan,” a patient really hears that in a different way than when your professional tells them.  

So, it’s just that much more meaningful. There’s another program at the Cleveland Clinic called   4th Angel, and it’s a national program that any patient can take advantage of, and it matches you with a peer mentor.  

And they often check in by phone with each other, someone who’s been through a very similar experience, and patients often find that incredibly helpful. And many patients that move into survivorship, then they become a mentor and they’re able to help another patient.  

And that really feels good to be able to give back in that way.  

Katherine Banwell:

Yeah, that’s wonderful. Erica, you have a family history of breast cancer, so you’ve been really vigilant in your care over the years. What advice do you have for other patients and family members facing a cancer diagnosis? Where do you find your strength?  

Erica Watson:

Well, I got it from a handful of sources. I learned a lot on my faith. I talked to my family members who were diagnosed with breast cancer and that are currently living. I was not afraid to ask questions. I cried a lot. I just really leaned heavily on my medical team.  

I feel like it is so important as Dr. Ashton was saying to be able to reach out or connect with someone that has actually lived the experience, because I was one of those women. I heard it from the medical team, but they were leaning on science, and I needed someone that actually went through what I was going through.

That allowed me to understand and to trust what they were telling me. Not that I didn’t trust my medical team, but the family members or anyone else that I leaned on to support actually lived the life that I was getting ready to live, experienced what I was getting ready to experience. So, that really helped me a lot.  

Katherine Banwell:

Yeah. As you navigated care, were there any obstacles or hurdles that you faced?  

Erica Watson:

Well, the main one that sticks out to me today was as an African American woman, I didn’t feel as if I had a lot of resources that were catered to me and my needs. And so, that kind of stifled my search for research or for resources, because I didn’t have an experience with women that looked like me, that talked like me, that lived like me, that would have experienced the hair loss like I experienced, my skin changes with the sun.  

So, those were the obstacles that I faced, and it was tough. Of course, I had my family to lean on, I have my aunt my sister, but there are so many women out there that don’t have family members that have gone through breast cancer, and I feel so like it’s necessary for us to be able to see and to experience the diversity in that area. 

We make up a huge demographic, but we are just not represented the way that I feel like we should.  

Katherine Banwell:

Yeah, I absolutely agree. And I know that the medical community is trying to reverse this issue; they’re trying to make it easier and more supportive for people of all colors and races. Why do you think it’s important for survivors to actually be an advocate and help other people as they navigate cancer?  

Erica Watson:

I believe the most important reason is just so that they know that they’re not alone. We can, as a breast cancer survivor, I know it was – my first response was to just go into a shell and hide.  

I didn’t want to share it with anyone. Of course, my family did not, they would not have understood, and this was before reaching out to my sister and my aunt. But yeah, just so that we’re not alone, to know that there are other women out there that are experiencing and feeling the exact same thing that we are experiencing and feeling; the questions, the concern, the guilt, the fear, we just need to be able to know and connect in that way. So, I just – yeah, I’m so passionate about that, and that’s it.  

Katherine Banwell:

Yeah. It’s so helpful to know you’re not alone in how you’re feeling, in some of the symptoms you’re having, to know that other people have experienced the same thing is vital. 

Cancer Survivorship | Ongoing Healthcare and Follow-Up

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Cancer Survivorship | Ongoing Healthcare and Follow-Up from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

Dr. Kathleen Ashton explains what a cancer survivorship care plan is, what to expect following after active treatment, available survivorship tools and resources, and she reviews follow-up care for cancer survivors. 

Dr. Kathleen Ashton is a board-certified clinical health psychologist in the Breast Center, Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute at Cleveland Clinic. Learn more about Dr. Ashton.
 
Erica Watson is a breast cancer survivor and patient advocate.
 

Related Resources:

What Does Cancer Survivorship Mean?What Does Cancer Survivorship Mean? Cancer Survivorship | The Positive Impact of Peer SupportCancer Survivorship | The Positive Impact of Peer Support Becoming Empowered: Navigating Obstacles to Empowerment That Can Lead to Better HealthNavigating Obstacles to Empowerment That Can Lead to Better Health 

Transcript:

Katherine Banwell:

Dr. Ashton, we often hear about the importance of creating a survivorship care plan. What is that exactly, and where do you and a patient start when you’re creating such a plan?  

Dr. Ashton:

That survivorship care plan is such an important part of the process. I think for many patients it really helps relieve a lot of anxiety. When you’re finished with your active treatment there’s really a thought of what next, right?  

You’ve just gone through surgery or chemotherapy, radiation; you’ve been actively treating the cancer, and then you’re kind of left like, what is this new normal? So, one of the things we do at the Cleveland Clinic is patients have a survivorship visit. So, it’s either with their oncologist or with a nurse practitioner, and they spend an hour with the patient and go through what are all the treatments you’ve done? What’s your plan for the next five years? How often do you come in to see your doctor? What kinds of tests are you going to get, what kind of scans? What you need to be looking for? What would be a sign of something to be concerned about? And then a big part of that plan is also the lifestyle changes that occur in survivorship. So, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, stress management, getting enough sleep. And that’s where as a psychologist a lot of times I come in.  

We have a group called Breast Cancer STAR (Survivorship Tools and Resources), so it’s a five-week program for our survivors to work on changes with lifestyle, stress management, all of those changes in their life moving forward.  

And that’s a virtual group program where survivors can talk to each other about that survivorship plan as well as learn some skills to take with them.  

Katherine Banwell:

It’s great to have that support. We know that this varies by cancer, but what is the typical follow-up that occurs when monitoring for recurrence?  

Dr. Ashton:

So, I usually would probably leave that question to the oncologist, and so many different kinds of breast cancer are going to have different kinds of monitoring. But very often that first-year patients will check in with their oncologist every three months. They’ll have a breast exam at many of those visits. If they still have breast tissue, then they would have mammograms or possibly MRIs. So, there’s some scans that go along with that. And many patients are also on ongoing medications or treatments that go for sometimes several years after their initial breast cancer diagnosis.  

So, they would be checking in with their oncologist on those medications at each visit as well.  

Katherine Banwell:

Erica, the follow-up care that goes along with being a survivor can be anxiety inducing or cause some call it scan-anxiety. What advice do you have for coping with these types of emotions as a survivor?  

Erica Watson:

As a survivor I will have my first scan next month, but I would just encourage survivors to just be okay with the process, ask questions, as many questions as they possibly can, take someone with them, which was suggested to me.  

I don’t have anxiety necessarily about the scans. My breast cancer was detected by pain or through pain, so I experienced anxiety with that, any kind of breast pain that I experienced from surgery or radiation therapy. And I also would just advise the patient or survivor to just experience the process, allow themselves to be afraid, talk through the reality of what’s really going on, talk through the fact that they had all the treatments, they did everything that was in their control as far as going to the appointments, getting all the care, to stop the reoccurrence.   

Katherine Banwell:

Dr. Ashton, primary and preventative care continues to be essential regardless of someone’s diagnosis. What tips do you have for keeping up with overall health and well-being?  

Dr. Ashton:

Yeah, I think as women we often put ourselves last in the priority list. And for breast cancer survivors, well-being is incredibly important. And I tell patients it’s not an optional thing or something that you’re being selfish by doing, it’s actually part of your prescription as a survivor. So, the time that you take for stress management, whether it’s meditation or being outdoors or whatever brings you joy is really part of your prescription for wellness in survivorship. Exercise is incredibly important. They recommend for survivors 150 minutes of exercise a week and two days of weight training, keeping your weight normal.   

So, all of the healthy eating, healthy habits are actually what’s going to help prevent recurrence. And they’re things that or in patients’ control, so that feels good too to be able to take that time and recognize that it’s an essential part of their health, not an optional part.  

What Does Cancer Survivorship Mean?

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What Does Cancer Survivorship Mean? from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

Dr. Kathleen Ashton and Erica Watson, a cancer survivor, explore the difference between being a survivor and survivorship. They discuss what cancer survivorship entails and Erica’s experience of finding a new normal in her journey as a survivor.

Dr. Kathleen Ashton is a board-certified clinical health psychologist in the Breast Center, Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute at Cleveland Clinic. Learn more about Dr. Ashton.
 
Erica Watson is a breast cancer survivor and patient advocate.
 

Related Resources:

Cancer Survivorship | Ongoing Healthcare and Follow-Up

Cancer Survivorship | Ongoing Healthcare and Follow-Up

 Cancer Survivorship | The Positive Impact of Peer SupportCancer Survivorship | The Positive Impact of Peer Support Becoming Empowered: For Cancer Care Partners_ How to Access the Support You Need

For Cancer Care Partners: How to Access the Support You Need

Transcript:

Katherine Banwell:

Dr. Ashton, I’d like to start with a definition. If you would tell us what the difference is and the importance of survivor versus survivorship?  

Dr. Ashton:

Sure. So, people define being a breast cancer survivor at different points along the way, and even different oncologists really think about it, dating it from different times. So, some people date it from when they were diagnosed. Other people will date survivorship from after they had their surgery or after they completed chemotherapy.  

So, everyone looks at it a little bit differently. But survivorship is really more of that process throughout someone’s life after breast cancer; taking care of surveillance, working with their doctors, ongoing lifestyle changes that they may be undergoing after breast cancer.

Katherine Banwell:

And, Erica, what does survivorship mean to you?  

Erica Watson:

I am just living with a purpose now, I guess. I have not defined where my survivorship term starts or end or starts actually. So, I’m intentional about laughing more and doing things that bring me joy and sharing my story.  

I try not to pay attention to the small things in life that used to get me all stressed out. I talk to my medical team, I ask questions, I dance in the mirror when I hear good music. I mean, I’m just trying to get the most out of life that I can at this point. And I wake up every day with gratitude, and I just go.  

Katherine Banwell:

Yeah. Do you feel like you’ve had to adjust to a new normal?   

Erica Watson:

Oh my gosh, yes. I tend to, I guess I’ll say question things a little bit more than I did in the past, and specifically as far as my medical team; I’ll ask if I can do a thing or another with traveling, whether or not I can exercise or sit in the sun.  

I have to pay more attention to my body. I have to pay more attention to the things that I eat, those kinds of things. Which I really didn’t pay too much attention to in the beginning, but breast cancer is a part of my life and will be a part of my life. It does not define my life, but it is a part of it, and I have to pay attention to that.