Battling Cancer

By Michael Russell

Undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer patients will definitely increase overall survival; the occurrence of adverse events is inevitable. Of all the side effects of chemotherapy, bone marrow toxicity. The bone marrow primarily functions as the production site of white and red blood cells. Most women treated with chemotherapy for breast cancer will experience a decline in their white blood cell count, most often seven to fourteen days after treatment. This drop of cell count is known as leucopenia. Thus, while on chemotherapy, the breast cancer patient should be alert for any infection, which is the first sign of bone marrow suppression. The most immediate symptom of an infection will be a fever.

As a cancer patient, it is important that you alert your physician at the first signs of infection and to receive antibiotic therapy. There are some clinical protocols that routinely put women on antibiotics the second week after each chemotherapy session as a prophylactic measure against infection. Gene technology is now trying to get into the picture of safer chemotherapy. There are genetically engineered bone marrow stimulants available for women who develop severe depression of their white or red blood cell counts. Drugs like Neuprogen and Epogen are some of these agents. Fortunately, the toxicity to the bone marrow that occurs after chemotherapy is temporary and reversible. If an infection occurs, it is potentially very serious and must be addressed immediately to avoid fatal complications.

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By Marcus Stout

For the last several years, there has been an abundance of research on the effects of green tea and its possible ability to prevent cancer. There has been a lot of focus on Asian culture, where the incidence of cancer is significantly lower that that of the Western world.

For centuries, the Chinese have used green tea for health. It is used not only to protect health and slow down the aging process, but also to treat illness. It appears that there is some very good science behind what Asians have been relying on for years.

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By Donna Parra

This is my second “go round” with cancer and chemotherapy, this time I’m much more educated in helping myself deal with side effects and would like to pass my remedies on to others.

Chemotherapy affects the stomach in a very devastating manner from the top to the bottom and though the prescribed Katrill was a life saver, it doesn’t do it “all”. Here are a few home remedies your oncologist will not tell you about…he’s busy with the chemical aspect of treating the disease and not much into home remedies….I am!

1. Ginger
Ginger has long been known as an anti-nausea agent….I used fresh ginger, sliced it up thinly and put it in the freezer. I would put a few slices from the freezer into a cup of hot water and sip it as tea. I was surprised to read that they have a clinical trial going on using ginger in capsule form to treat nausea in chemo patients…worked for me!

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Reflexology and Chemotherapy

By Amy Brennan

Reflexology is a gentle non intrusive treatment carried out upon the feet alone, using reflex points that correspond to the body systems.

Reflexology is highly beneficial in alleviating adverse side effects of chemotherapy, by helping the patient to deeply relax, it also helps to reduce the level of anxiety, helping patients cope with the distressing symptoms of pain and nausea, the results reveal that treatments produce a significant and immediate effect on the patients’ perceptions of pain, nausea and relaxation.

There is a myth that because reflexology rids the body of toxins, that the chemotherapy won’t work properly. There is no evidence to support this and there is a wealth of evidence about the positive results patients have felt.

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Last Updated: Friday, 31 March 2006, 11:35 GMT 12:35 UK

A new device for cancer patients could end the side effects of chemotherapy such as hair loss and vomiting, researchers say.

The revolutionary new method uses an implant made of tiny fibres and beads soaked in chemotherapy drugs.

The device, which was developed at Bath University, dissolves internally, releasing the chemotherapy chemicals directly into the cancer site.

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