Doctors don’t know all the causes of cancer, but they do recommend things you can do to help prevent it -- or reduce your risk of developing it. For those who are diagnosed, finding emotional support can be critical to a patient's well-being both during and after treatment. At the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, doctors find a number of ways to treat cancer and also care for the patient's emotional wellbeing. Here are five ways to reduce the risk of getting cancer, and five ways to cope after the diagnosis.
Prevention
• Quit tobacco. It's no secret that using cigarettes and other tobacco products can contribute to a dozen or more cancers including lung, head and neck and esophageal. Even small amounts may negatively affect your health. If you are already smoking, many doctors or health facilities offer cessation programs that help smokers with addiction. For those who have been diagnosed with cancer, quitting is critical. Winship Medical Director of Psychiatric Oncology Dr. Wendy Baer says doctors can enroll patients in programs and provide medicines that can help a patient recover from tobacco addiction while they undergo cancer treatment.
• Use sunscreen. Spending time outdoors is important, but so is protecting yourself from the sun's damaging rays that can cause aggressive skin cancers. Use SPF 30 or higher sunscreen 30 minutes prior to going outdoors; reapply every 2 hours or after excessive sweating or swimming. According to Winship melanoma expert Dr. Ragini Kudchadkar, those who have to be in the sun should cover up, or avoid going outdoors between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. if possible. Tanning beds and sunbathing should also be avoided.
• Learn your family history. Most cancers are not linked to genes inherited from our parents, according to the American Cancer Society, but some are hereditary, and doctors can help patients determine their risk by examining the patient's family history. Keep a record of your diagnoses and your family members' diagnoses on hand when meeting with doctors.
Get regular screenings. When doctors catch signs of cancer early, it can mean easier treatment and less pain for those diagnosed. National guidelines recommend that women get yearly mammograms beginning at 40. Breast self-exams should also be conducted at home once a month. Both men and women should start getting colorectal cancer screenings when they turn 50. If a cancer is part of your family history then you and your doctor should decide if a particular screening is needed before the nationally recommended ages.
• Eat well and exercise. Shoppers won't find a single type of food or diet that will stave off cancer, but eating a diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables can help maintain wellness. Tiffany Barrett, a Winship registered dietitian, says choose foods with few ingredients and prepare those foods in healthy ways -- such as baking or broiling. Studies shows that exercising and maintaining a healthy weight can also help lower your risk of cancer, as well promote overall wellness. In many areas, patients can take inexpensive exercise classes or join a community sport to keep moving.
After the diagnosis
• Fight fatigue. For many patients, the stress and physical toll of undergoing chemotherapy can sap your energy. Dr. Baer says she often works with patients who find it difficult to get enough sleep. Coping with an extreme change to usual energy levels can also affect patients emotionally. Certain medications can be tailored to patients' cancer treatment and help fight constant fatigue. "During cancer you have to adjust your expectations," Dr. Baer says. "Your body and mind are so actively fighting the cancer that you don't have the time to do what you used to do."
• Get help for depression or anxiety. Dr. Baer says Winship doctors also keep a careful eye on patients' outlooks so that clinical depression and anxiety can be treated as soon as possible. According to the National Cancer Institute, 15 to 25 percent of cancer patients suffer from clinical depression. Doctors can enroll patients in talk therapy and find medications that work well with any cancer medications the patient is taking.
• Find a gentle exercise program. Though some patients are at a stage of their treatment in which working out is near-impossible, many cancer patients take up a light exercise routine that can help alleviate fatigue and fight depression. Dr. Baer says many patients find yoga helpful, because the slow movements provide gentle stretching and have a tendency to improve mood. Patients can also increase their activity level by taking up a walking routine that increases in length gradually.
• Set boundaries. Cancer patients benefit immensely from support and care provided by family members and friends. But sometimes others' concerns can be emotionally draining. Patients need to find opportunities to think about things other than cancer, Dr. Baer says. Often this can require patients to request that their loved ones limit the amount of time spent discussing their diagnosis and their treatment. "So it might be turning off the cancer conversation after dinner," Dr. Baer says. "No more researching cancer diagnoses or cancer treatments or talking about cancer."
• Create a support network. Surrounding yourself with family and friends during cancer treatment is important, but it's also important to respect caretakers' limitations. Finding cancer support groups can give patients outlets to others who understand the treatment process. At Winship, a cancer patient undergoing treatment can be matched up with a Winship Peer Partner who had a similar diagnosis. Meeting someone who suffers from the same illness can provide comfort and support for patients, according to Dr. Baer.
This article is presented in collaboration with the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University. Visit the website for more information.
