Cancer: In a Nutshell

Yes, that dreaded “C” word…cancer, the word that no one ever wants to hear come out of their doctor’s mouth.  Total Home Health would like to take the next few minutes out of your busy life and provide you with a general understanding of cancer, and possibly a new outlook related to what you or a loved one may be going through, along with ways to help.  As a home health company we strive to meet your health care needs within the comforts of your own home and become sort of like a second family to you during your most vulnerable moments.  As always, we want you to be as well informed as possible regarding what is affecting your health and what you can do to promote your wellness both with our help and on your own.

Cancer is a disease process that involves abnormal growth of cells and how they are differentiated, or what job they are given to do within your body.  The exact cause of cancer is unknown and there is no specific cure at this point in time.  However, viruses, physical and chemical substances, hormones, genetics, and diet choices are thought to be contributing factors that may trigger your cells to begin to grow abnormally and compromise how they are differentiated.  Here are some important facts to know about cancer:

·      Cancer cells can invade surrounding tissues and/or spread to other areas of the body via your lymph and blood vessels; if this happens it’s referred to as metastasis.

·      Metastasis is usually diagnosed when there are new clinical signs and symptoms such as bone pain, changes in your bowel patterns, etc.

·      Cancers may arise from any tissue in the body and is classified accordingly: skin tissue (carcinoma), blood-forming cells (leukemia), lymph tissue (lymphoma), or plasma cells (myelomas).

·      Having routine medical exams and being diagnosed early are obviously key points of health education and care when it comes to any condition, especially cancer.

As part of how Total Home Health always works to promote your health and prevent any further diseases or worsening, here are some tips to remember to help reduce your risk of cancer:

·      Consume a healthy diet, one that is low in fat with an increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.

·      Limit your intake of sugar and salt.

·      Maintain a weight that is healthy for your body type.

·      Avoid smoking and consuming alcohol.

·      Avoid risky lifestyle choices such as use of recreational drugs, sharing needles, and engaging in unprotected sexual activity.

·      Avoid exposure to hazards in the environment (chemicals) and always wear the proper protection if you know you are going to be exposed.

·      Encourage the younger generations in your family to breast feed their infants exclusively for the first 6 months of their child’s life.

·      Be physically active on a routine basis.

Everyone is at risk of developing cancer at any point in their life.  However, there are some individuals that may already fall into a higher risk category.  Risk factors for cancer include:

·      Age, with the highest incidence occurring in older adults.

·      Caucasian women over the age of 40 are at an increased risk for breast cancer.

·      Caucasian men are at an increased risk for testicular cancer.

·      African-American men are at an increased risk for prostate cancer.

·      Genetic predisposition.

·      Exposure to certain viruses and bacteria.

v Liver cancer – may develop after many years of infection with hepatitis B or C

v Epstein-Barr virus is linked to an increase risk of lymphoma

v Human papillomavirus infection is the main cause of cervical cancer

v HIV will increase the risk of lymphoma and Kaposi’s sarcoma

v H.pylori (bacteria) may increase the risk of stomach cancer/lymphoma of the stomach lining

·      A diet high in fat and red meat, and low in fiber.

·      Exposure the sun and/or ultraviolet light.

·      Sexual lifestyles that include multiple partners and/or sexually transmitted infections.

·      Poverty, obesity, and chronic GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).

·      Chronic disease.

The earlier your diagnosis of cancer is made, generally the better your outcome will be.  However, there are many types of cancers that spread or metastasize before the individual experiences any symptoms.  Your treatment course will depend on what type of cancer you have, how it has progressed, and where it is located.  The main goal will be to manage any symptoms you may have and keeping your body functioning as close to normal as possible so that your condition is not given the opportunities it’s looking for to worsen and cause more problems.

Total Home Health understands the severity of cancer and we want to be there for both you and your family during the good times and the bad times to make sure you know we care, 100%.  Keeping you in good spirits, maintaining your safety and managing any symptoms that get you down will be some of our first priorities.  Recognizing any new changes will always be on our radar too, so you will never miss any adjustments to your care that could mean you getting to spend more time here with the ones you love.  Enroll with Total Home Health today and see just how much we care about you and your family, you will not be disappointed.