Healthy LIVING
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A Katy Times Publication
OCTOBER 2017
A HUG AWAY HEALTHCARE
providing service to all ages THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE BREAST CARE PROGRAM in Katy and West Houston
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Memorial Hermann and MD Anderson Cancer Center – a team of mammography specialists at locations near you. Expert breast radiologists from MD Anderson Cancer Center are interpreting mammograms and performing diagnostic procedures at many Memorial Hermann breast imaging locations. The same breast centers you count on for a great experience, leading-edge 3-D imaging technology and advanced diagnostic tools are staffed by MD Anderson physicians.
Visit memorialhermann.org for online scheduling with ScheduleNow or call 877.40.MAMMO
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Table of Contents Breast Cancer: Managing your Risk
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How women can make mammograms more comfortable
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Coping with cancer-related fatigue
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Building a cancer support team
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Regrow healthy hair after chemo
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Katy Healthy Living a supplement of the Katy Times. ( WK 6W ‡ .DW\ 7; (281) 391-3141 // www.katytimes.com
Allen A. Walker DDS P.A. Family Dentistry
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OCTOBER 2017
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MAKING TIME FOR YOUR MAMMOGRAM MAY ADD YEARS TO YOUR LIFE. At Houston Methodist Breast Care Centers, scheduling your mammogram online is an important first step for early detection. It’s easy, and — with eight locations across the Greater Houston area — more convenient than ever. Our Breast Care Centers offer: • Specially trained breast imaging radiologists • Advanced technology in a spa-like atmosphere • Access to our breast specialists at Houston Methodist Cancer Center Visit houstonmethodist.org/breast-care and schedule your mammogram at a location near you.
TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER • BAY AREA • BAYTOWN • SUGAR L AND THE WOODLANDS • UPPER KIRBY • WEST HOUSTON • WILLOWBROOK
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KATY HEALTHY LIVING
BREAST CANCER: Managing
When it comes to breast cancer, certain risk factors are out of your control. Yet even more risk factors are within your control, and every day new research is emerging that suggests breast cancer may be more preventable than experts originally thought. “Women can take steps to mitigate their risk of developing breast cancer and increase their chances of survival if it occurs,” said Dr. Candy Arentz, breast surgeon at Houston Methodist West Hospital. Here are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of breast cancer: BE (REALLY) PHYSICALLY ACTIVE The American Cancer Society recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity each week (or a combination of these), preferably spread throughout the week. “Exercise is a huge factor when it comes to reducing a woman’s risk of breast cancer,” Arentz emphasized. “Exercise decreases the levels of insulin and estrogen in the body. Some studies estimate a 10–15 percent risk reduction with moderate exercise.” Doctors think the exercise-estrogen link may account for the reduced risk. Here’s why: The greater your lifetime exposure to estrogen, the greater your risk for breast cancer. MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT Being overweight increases your risk of developing a variety of serious diseases, and breast cancer is one of them. Obese and overweight women produce more estrogen and tend to have higher insulin levels, both of which are linked to an increased breast cancer risk.
Your Risk
LIMIT ALCOHOL In addition to exercise and maintaining a healthy body weight, limiting alcohol to three or less alcoholic drinks per week can lower a woman’s risk. Compared with nondrinkers, women who consume two to five alcoholic drinks a day have about 1.5 times the risk of developing breast cancer. “Alcohol may change the way the body processes estrogen. Since most breast cancers are responsive to estrogen, alcohol may increase the risk of developing breast cancer,” Arentz said. CHOOSE TO BREASTFEED Arentz encourages new mothers to breastfeed their babies if they’re able. “Evidence suggests that breastfeeding reduces a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer,” she said. “We know that the longer a woman breastfeeds, the greater the protective effect.” The reasons why aren’t clear, but one possible explanation is that women who breastfeed have fewer menstrual cycles throughout their lives, and thus less exposure to estrogen. GENETIC TESTING AND INTERVENTION If you have a strong family history of breast cancer, talk with your doctor about whether genetic testing is right for you. Mutations in certain genes, such as the BRCA genes, increase the risk of breast cancer. Women with this gene mutation may opt for more frequent screenings, chemoprevention or prophylactic surgery (breast removal). Removing the ovaries and fallopian tubes is also an option; in addition to reducing the risk of ovarian cancer, it could help prevent breast cancer. EARLY DETECTION IS KEY There are several ways to help reduce your risk of developing breast cancer, but early detection is still most important. Getting regular mammograms catches breast cancer early while it is still treatable.
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HOW WOMEN CAN MAKE
mammograms more comfortable ammograms help to detect breast cancer early, improving women’s prognosis as a result. Susan G. Komen states that mammography is the most effective breast cancer screening tool in use today. When women should begin getting mammograms remains open to debate. The American Cancer Society now recommends that women between the ages of 45 and 54 receive annual mammograms. Despite the benefits of mammograms, many women avoid them out of fear of the pain and discomfort associated with the procedure. But researchers are examining how much pressure mammogram machines need to apply to get accurate breast images. Until widespread customized mammograms are offered, women can take various steps to reduce the amount of discomfort they feel while undergoing these important screening procedures. • Apply a topical numbing gel. BreastCancer.org says a study found that applying a numbing gel an hour before having a mammogram resulted in less discomfort when compared to placebo and other pain-reduction techniques. Be sure to
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discuss application of the gel with your physician prior to your procedure. • Schedule your procedure for the right time. Do not schedule a mammogram right before or during a menstrual cycle, when breasts already are very tender due to hormonal changes. Waiting until seven to 14 days after a period is a better bet. • Take pain relief pills. A physician may suggest taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen prior to the appointment to reduce discomfort before and after the procedure. • Speak with the technician. Women can express their concerns about pain to the mammogram technician, who might suggest various ways to minimize discomfort. • Learn about padding. Find an imaging center that uses padding on mammogram plates. MammoPad is a soft, white, single-use foam pad that is invisible to X-rays. • Avoid caffeine. Some women find that caffeine contributes to breast tenderness. Avoid caffeine the week before the procedure. Mammograms are an important health care tool. Reducing discomfort may encourage women to follow guidelines regarding mammograms more closely.
KATY HEALTHY LIVING
Did you know?
UNDERSTANDING
inflammatory breast cancer
While certain breast cancer risk factors, including gender and age, are beyond women’s control, the American Cancer Society notes that certain factors are related to personal behaviors. Alcohol consumption is one such lifestyle-related risk factor for breast cancer. Compared with nondrinkers, women who consume between two and five alcoholic drinks per day have about a 1.5 times greater risk of developing breast cancer than women who abstain from alcohol. A woman’s risk of developing breast cancer increases only slightly compared to nondrinkers if she has just one alcoholic beverage per day. Weight is another breast cancer risk factor that women can control. Women who are overweight or obese have a greater risk of developing breast cancer than those who are not. Prior to menopause, womens’ ovaries make most of their estrogen, with fat tissue making just a small amount. But womens’ ovaries stop making estrogen when they enter menopause, at which time fat tissue produces most of their estrogen. Having excessive fat tissue can increase estrogen levels and raise a woman’s risk for breast cancer. If or when a woman decides to have children can also affect her risk for breast cancer. According to the ACS, women who have not had children or who had their first child after turning 30 have a slightly higher risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer than women who had many pregnancies and became pregnant at an early age.
any women know that a lump, pain or some other abnormality in the breast may be indicative of breast cancer. But a rash, redness or swelling may also be linked to a rare form of breast cancer known as inflammatory breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer, or IBC, accounts for roughly 1 to 5 percent of all breast cancers in the United States. The symptoms of IBC can differ from symptoms of other forms of breast cancer, and a rash-like appearance may be part of it, according to Healthline. The National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., says IBC is a fast-growing breast cancer that infiltrates the skin and lymph vessels of the breast. When IBC is present, no distinct tumor or lump can be felt and isolated in the breast. Instead, earlier symptoms include the appearance of a rash or small irritation that may be mistaken for an insect bite. Over time, the irritation can become more red, swollen and warm. Other changes to the breast skin may occur, including nipple inversion or flattening, a pitted appearance to the skin or dimpling. This dimpling is caused by a buildup of fluid in the breast that’s due to cancer cells blocking the lymph vessels. This prevents the fluid from draining normally. IBC is a very fast-moving cancer. By the time symptoms are discovered, IBC may already have advanced to Stage 3, necessitating aggressive treatment. This usually includes a combination of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and hormone treatments. Breast cancer comes in many different forms and can present in various ways. Never overlook any abnormality on or around the breast. OCTOBER ER 2017
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COPING WITH
cancer-related fatigue
Fatigue is one of the most common and frustrating side effects of cancer treatments. While fatigue is often a result of the cancer itself, cancer treatments can also increase feelings of fatigue. The American Cancer Society indicates that cancer-related fatigue can be more intense than a healthy person’s feelings of tiredness. Therefore, learning how to manage fatigue can improve quality of life for the millions of people battling cancer ever day. Cancer-related fatigue, or CRF, often is described as paralyzing. In many instances, CRF comes on suddenly and without warning and is not diminished by rest or sleep. Many of the therapies associated with cancer treatment are culprits in CRF. These include chemotherapy drugs, radiation therapy, bone marrow transplants, and biologic therapies that include using cytokines to naturally attack cancer cells. The National Cancer Institute states that CRF can affect all areas of life by making patients reluctant or unable to partake in daily activities. Those who miss school, work or social occasions may start to experience depression or other mood changes. These occurrences can lessen quality of life and affect self-esteem. Doctors may help those experiencing CRF find relief. By learning
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when fatigue occurs, doctors may be able to pinpoint what is causing the fatigue and then treat it accordingly. For example, if the cause is connected to a certain medication, alternative drug therapies may be suggested. CRF is sometimes linked to anemia. Medications that stimulate bone marrow to produce more red blood cells or blood transfusions may help with fatigue as well, according to The Mayo Clinic. When CRF is linked to depression, anxiety or lack of sleep, doctors may suggest self-help techniques, talk therapy and medications that can treat the underlying condition to improve the patient’s physical and mental well-being. In addition, modifications can be made around the home or office to help alleviate fatigue. Ergonomic changes, such as improving chairs, repositioning items so they are within reach or adjusting office furniture to reduce having to bend over or reach overhead, may help. Fatigue is one of the more common side effects of cancer and cancer treatments. Fatigue can have debilitating results, but patients can work with their physicians to find ways to alleviate fatigue and improve quality of life.
KATY HEALTHY LIVING
Build a cancer support team
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pproximately 39.6 percent of men and women in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer at some point during their lifetimes, says the National Cancer Institute. The Canadian Cancer Society states that almost half of all Canadians will develop cancer. A cancer support team can help men and women who have been diagnosed with cancer fight their disease and handle its side effects. Supportive family, friends and medical professionals can help many people cope with the emotional and physical effects of cancer. COUNSELORS/THERAPISTS The support of a mental health professional can help cancer patients cope with the psychological impact that their disease can have. Some therapists are specially trained to treat those diagnosed with cancer. Doctors may recommend that their patients seek help with managing the emotions that can arise after a cancer diagnosis, such as depression, anxiety and confusion. ONCOLOGY SOCIAL WORKERS Certain counselors help individuals better understand their health care system and options concerning treatment. Questions regarding how to pay for care and if insurance can cover it can be a major source of stress for those with long-term illnesses like cancer. These specialty social workers can help patients navigate the system and learn what to expect.
SUPPORT GROUPS Groups offer support in various ways. Simply knowing there are others out there in similar situations can help individuals feel as though they are not alone in their fight against cancer. Support groups can be as formal or informal as patients prefer. Such groups may simply be a group of friends who gather regularly to chat. However, there are some organizations designed specifically to provide support for cancer patients. Peer-led groups are facilitated by group members. Professionally-led groups are typically overseen by a trained medical professional. Groups may meet in person or be available through online social networks. Some support groups may be designed for specific people, including the relatives of people with cancer, spouses, people of certain age groups, and any combination thereof. MEDICAL STAFF Qualified and compassionate oncologists, nutritionists, physical therapists, nurses, and others can make cancer treatment a little easier to swallow. Find staff who are professional and knowledgeable, but also empathetic. FRIENDS AND FAMILY Of course no cancer support team would be complete without close friends and family members. These are the people who cancer patients must rely on to accompany them to appointments, run errands and offer comfort when needed. The fight against cancer is never easy, but the right support team can alleviate some of the stressors and burdens.
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Regrow healthy hair after chemo
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hemotherapy is designed to attack rapidly dividing cells. Unfortunately, hair follicles are some of the fastest-growing cells in the body. That’s why, within a few weeks of beginning chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer, many women report losing some or all of their hair. BreastCancer.org says that some chemotherapy treatments will only cause hair loss on the head. Others can also cause the loss of hair elsewhere on the body. No treatment can guarantee that hair will not fall out during or after chemotherapy. However, planning ahead for changes in appearance, and taking the steps to help strengthen hair when it begins to grow in again Ñ typically several weeks after treatment Ñ can make a difference. It’s important to note that hair almost always grows back after chemotherapy. However, women must be mindful that there may be some distinct changes when hair grows back. Hair can regrow with a different texture. Hair may be curly when it was once straight. Hair may now be thick instead of thin. Hair color may change as well. Other people experience little to no changes. How quickly hair grows back depends on individual health. It can take up to three months before women get a full a head of hair. As the body recovers from chemotherapy and more effectively processes vitamins and other nutrients, those nutrients will be delivered to hair follicles. To promote healthier hair growth, individuals may want to try changing their diets to include ingredients that can be beneficial to hair growth and health. The following are some foods to try. • Salmon: Salmon and other fatty fish contain omega-3 acids that can fuel shiny, full hair. The body does not make omega-3s, so they
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must be acquired through food. • Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt contains an ingredient known as pantothenic acid, or vitamin B5. This can help improve blood flow to the scalp and also may assist against hair thinning and loss. • Iron: Iron contained in organ meats, fortified cereals, whole grains, and legumes can protect against hair loss. • Eggs: Rich in biotin, eggs can help hair grow. Biotin also helps strengthen brittle fingernails. • Avocados: Avocado contains healthy oils that can fight dry hair and promote shine. Hair loss is a temporary side effect of cancer treatment. With time, patience and a healthy diet, hair can return.
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