Proton Therapy May Offer Help for Chronic Pain

While best known as a relatively new form of cancer treatment, proton beam therapy may also offer hope for people who suffer from chronic pain. This highly precise, targeted treatment could hold the key to helping people deaden pain while lessening the need to use potentially addictive management medications.

To find out more about the possibilities, researchers at the Loma Linda University Cancer Center are working with veterans to determine if this treatment can ease suffering. This population was specifically chosen because an estimated 44 percent of military veterans suffer from chronic pain versus 26 percent of the general public.

The concept behind the study, which is actively under way, involves using proton beams to target areas where pain originates. The hope is to use the radiation to neutralize the pain so the brain cannot interpret it. The overall goal is to lessen pain while helping decrease the need for patients to use potentially dangerous and costly pain medications. How soon results might be available remains unclear.

Proton beam therapy works in a similar fashion to standard radiation therapy. This form of treatment, when used in cancer, has the goal of killing off cancer cells through irradiation. The properties of proton beams enable doctors to be highly precise in their delivery of radiation, which can mean a dramatic reduction in the potential to damage otherwise healthy cells.

At present, proton beam therapy for cancer patients is somewhat limited in its availability. This therapy calls for highly specialized, costly equipment. Even so, the effectiveness of the treatment in some studies is giving rise to a growing demand for this alternative. Should it also prove effective in treating chronic pain, it’s likely demand will grow even more.

People who suffer from conditions that cause chronic pain are urged to discuss all treatment options with their healthcare providers. The best course of action will hinge on the details of each individual case. While proton therapy may offer hope, much study must be done to gauge its effectiveness in this arena along with prospective risks. 

Marker May Help Predict Prostate Cancer Bone Metastasis

Advanced prostate cancer is known to sometimes spread to the bones, making treatment especially problematic. Determining which cases of cancer are likely to spread to the bones, however, has been problematic at best in the past. Researchers in Turkey believe they have found a new way to better predict the likelihood of prostate cancer’s spread.

Doctors at the Sivas Numme State Hospital in Sivas, Turkey, reviewed data related to 633 men with prostate cancer. The analysis showed that men who tested positive for perineural invasion (PNI) had an increased risk for bone metastasis. In fact, the research showed an 11-fold increased risk, making them conclude that this finding could serve as a good predictor of metastasis risk.

PNI is an abnormality found in a few different types of cancer. It involves the spread of cancer to the space surrounding a nerve. In prostate cancer, the finding often does not play a role in recommended treatments. The Sivas’ researchers say it is time for that to change.  The study’s results, researchers say, show that PNI found in biopsy specimens has the potential to predict the likelihood of bone metastasis. That said, they highly recommend the PNI results be taken into careful account during treatment and clinical care.

Prostate cancer affects an estimated 220,000 American men each and every year. In many cases, the disease is caught early and can be treated and/or managed with a high degree of success. In some cases, however, advanced forms of the disease present or the disease is not caught until after it has spread. Having the ability to better understand the potential aggression level of the disease is critical for helping doctors guide more effect treatments.

Men are urged to discuss prostate cancer carefully with their personal physicians. Doctors can help men assess their risks and can offer insights on early screening protocols. 

Obesity is a Cancer Risk People Can Modify

Every form of cancer comes with its share of potential risk factors. Some of these factors can be modified and some simply cannot. While a person cannot alter their family history, gender or ethnicity to lower cancer risk, kicking a smoking habit, for example, is well within personal control. For those who are obese, shedding pounds may also prove to be an excellent way to lower risks related to some forms of cancer.

Researchers have found strong links between such cancers as kidney, colorectal, pancreatic and postmenopausal breast and obesity. While the mechanisms behind the link are not fully understood, the evidence supporting a connection is strong. One of the possible reasons, many have proposed, is that inflammation cytokines are increased in those who are obese due to an excess of adipose tissue. The connection between inflammation and cancer has also been established.

So, how can those who are carrying around extra pounds lower their cancer risks? Here are a few suggestions:

• Go in for a checkup – It’s not a bad idea to start off by going in for a routine checkup and to discuss overall cancer risks with a personal physician. He or she will be able to recommend any necessary screenings and can also offer insights on how to lose weight in a safe and healthy manner.
• Watch the diet – It’s often best to eat a number of small meals and snacks throughout the day. Make sure meals are healthy, well balanced and low in fat.
• Work exercise into the routine – Getting active can make a great deal of difference in overall health while also assisting with weight loss.

Cancer has many risk factors that are simply out of a person’s control. Some risks, however, can be tackled. Obesity is one of those factors and it’s related to some of the most commonly diagnosed forms of the disease. Taking steps to lower weight can make a big difference in those risks while also having a positive impact on overall health.

Radiotherapy Remains Valuable Prostate Cancer Treatment

While the use of post-surgical radiation in prostate cancer treatment is on the decline evidence suggests this important procedure delivers benefits that should not be overlooked. A new study published in the journal European Urology indicates that less than 10 percent of American patients at risk for recurrence are receiving postoperative radiotherapy within six months of surgery. This is despite the fact that about 30 percent of radical prostatectomy patients develop biochemical recurrence after surgery. For those who are diagnosed with more aggressive cancers, the rate of recurrence can climb to 60 to 70 percent.

Use of immediate, or near immediate, radiotherapy has long been the focus of debate among urologists and oncologists. Two schools of thought exist in relation to the use of this therapy immediately post-surgery and the likelihood of the development of side effects such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Urologists have long held that holding off and taking a wait-and-see approach is the way to go, but oncologists have counseled for more swift application of radiation to ensure cancer’s eradication while lowering recurrence risks.

While these two schools of thought have existed little evidence was available to support arguments on either side of the debate. Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, however, have stepped forward with more quantitative proof that supports immediate care. Through two separate studies, researchers found that there is no significant reduction of side effect incidence when the wait-and-see approach is taken.

Radiotherapy following radical prostatectomy might seem like an unnecessary precaution to some, but the reality is this treatment can be vital for those at greater risk for recurrence. Men who undergo radical prostatectomy should be mindful of the benefits of this potential secondary treatment and should carefully consult with their doctors for the best treatment options in their particular case. While radiotherapy can present risks, recurrences may as well, and waiting may deliver no real benefit in avoidance of potential side effects.

Is Radiation Therapy Safe?

When a doctor recommends radiation therapy to help treat cancer, there is something inherently scary about this prospect. After all, radiation therapy involves targeting doses of cell-killing radiation right at the body. The procedure is recommended since it kills cancer cells so effectively, but the reality is cells around the cancer may also be damaged in the process.

When radiation is recommended, many patients are likely to find themselves wondering if the rewards are truly worth the risks. Chances are they’re also going to wonder if radiation is truly a safe route to take.

While the prospect of radiation does sound scary, advances in treatments are enabling clinicians to more effectively kill cancer cells while avoiding as much damage to other parts of the body as possible. Radiation therapy works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells so severely that they die. The desired end result is an eradication of the cancer or a shrinking of a tumor so surgery can be performed more effectively.

Radiation isn’t without its potential side effect risks, but the reality is a number of treatment breakthroughs have made this potentially life-saving therapy safer and more effective than ever before. Here are just a few of the advancements that are making a difference:

• Better positioning for breast cancer patients – Researchers have found that having patients lie face down during treatments can dramatically reduce collateral tissue irradiated during this therapy.

 • Use of spacing material for prostate cancer – A new spacer gel injection can effectively push the rectum out of the way of radiation beams during prostate treatments. This, in turn, can lower the amounts of radiation delivered to the rectum and reduce the likelihood of side effects.

 • Better precision – New imaging techniques, including Image-Guided Radiation Therapy, are helping clinician’s better target radiation to reduce auxiliary damage.

The bottom line is radiation isn’t without its risks, but it has become safer and more effective than ever before. Anyone facing a cancer diagnosis should carefully discuss their case and recommended treatments with their doctors to devise a strategy that’s meant to kill the cancer while minimizing side effect risks inasmuch as possible. Thus radiation therapy has emerged out as one of the most reliable cancer treatment options today.

A Little ‘Me Time’ is Time Well Spent During Cancer Treatments

When it comes to cancer the old saying that the cure is worse than the disease oftentimes fits. After all, surgery, radiation and chemotherapy treatments are grueling and they can take their toll on the body, mind and spirit. Since maintaining a positive attitude in the face of it all is important for battling this disease and so are those treatments, it’s wise to take time out to recharge the batteries. A little “me time” now and again can help with not only attitude, but also fatigue, pain and a host of other symptoms that tend to go along with this condition.

Here are just a few of the little “me time” indulgences that can help make enduring cancer treatment just a bit more bearable:

• Get a massage – As long as post-surgical concerns aren’t an issue, a massage is a great way to rest, relax and let go of some of the tension that tends to go along with battling illness. Massages are also excellent for helping alleviate little muscles aches and pains that can go along with extended treatments, especially if fatigue is an issue. 
• Consider acupuncture – While this might seem like an unusual recommendation, many cancer survivors says acupuncture helps with pain management and also nausea abatement – an important consideration during chemo treatments.
•  Meditate – This peaceful act is wonderful for clearing the mind while enabling it to focus on the positive. It’s also a great way to relax and unwind. Consider basic breathing exercises to help with any anxiety-related issues. Visualization techniques can also assist with maintaining that positive attitude that’s so important for beating any illness. 
• Have fun – As impossible as this might sound, just letting go and having a good time and a good laugh can make it all more bearable. Watch a funny movie with friends or family, go for a scenic drive, take a refreshing dip in a pool – whatever makes you happy and helps you unwind.

While cancer treatments will take up much of your life for a time, they shouldn’t dominate it entirely. Take some time out to rest, relax and recharge. A little “me time” can go a long way in helping you maintain a positive outlook.

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Talking to Your Doctor about Recurrence

Cancer diagnosis begins a whirlwind journey in which the patient is focused on eradicating disease, prolonging life, and improving quality of life. The goal is always to reclaim health and we will do anything that we have to do to achieve that goal. Recurrence of cancer is not something that we think about in the beginning; we are only focused on the immediate goal right in front of us - beating cancer.

Cancer survivors, however, are straddled with the uncertainty that comes with the potential for recurrence. To manage that uncertainty - which left unchecked only serves to degrade quality of life - it’s important to talk to your doctor about the plan for life after cancer.

There are different types of recurrence and they include - local recurrence in the same place as the original diagnosis, regional recurrence in the lymph nodes connected to the original location, and distant recurrence in other parts of the body.

The risk of recurrence differs for each patient and depends on the type of cancer and the treatment the patient received. It is important to discuss the possibilities with your doctor regarding the possibility of recurrence, what to look for, and what you can potentially do to lower your risk of recurrence - including eating healthy, exercising, seeing your doctor on a regular basis for follow-up care, and having the tests that are recommended.

In the end, there’s not much that can be done to prevent recurrence other than living a healthy life. Sacrificing your health to worry about the possibilities only serves to limit your quality of life instead of living your life to the fullest. If you find yourself struggling with the uncertainty associated with recurrence - enough so that you are finding it challenging to engage in your normal activities, then it may be helpful to see a psychologist or join a support group that can help you manage these emotions.

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Cancer and Anxiety

There are so many emotions that come along with a cancer diagnosis. Obviously someone who has been diagnosed with cancer feels scared of what is to come and overwhelmed with all the information coming at them all at once. As time moves on and a treatment plan is put in place and implemented, you will find that you are firmly on your journey as a reluctant cancer patient. The dust settles a little bit and you do what you need to do on a daily basis including treatments and trying to say in your routine as much as possible. So why do you still feel so anxious?

Anxiety is often as much a part of cancer treatment as anything else. There is a huge mental component of battling cancer and people will often find themselves depressed and/or anxious throughout the process - not just in the beginning when the diagnosis is still so new. Of course these are all normal feelings and definitely to be expected. But if anxiety begins to interfere with your day-to-day life, then it’s time to consult your doctor.

Some of the signs that your anxiety may need to be medically addressed include:

•    Trouble sleeping. You may have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up in the morning. Also, if you can’t stop sleeping then it may be due to depression rather than fatigue.

•    Eating issues. If you struggling with eating and it’s not due to the nausea associated with your treatment, then it may be anxiety induced.

•    Emotions those are hard to keep in check. Crying all the time, feeling fear throughout the day, anger, and more are all a part of cancer. But if they are interfering with your life, your work, or your relationships, it may be time to seek out help.

•    Lack of desire for activities that once brought you joy. If you are feeling joyless, hopeless, or without any passion for doing anything that would otherwise make you happy, then it may be time to talk to someone.

Anxiety is normal but if you are finding it difficult to get through the day, then there is help available. Talk to your doctor about the options available; there are many that will allow you to feel more comfortable.

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Making Time for Yourself

Receiving a cancer diagnosis is certainly scary. But for many people not knowing at all is better than hearing news they are not prepared to hear. As a result, there are many people who put off going to the doctor for necessary screenings and tests because they are terrified that the doctor will find something. In the end, of course, if they DO have cancer, what would have helped the most would have been early diagnosis and treatment. In fact, in the large majority of cases, cancer responds the best to treatment that happens in the earliest stages; which makes early diagnosis critical. And in some cancers like prostate cancer, early treatment can mean complete cure. However, if you take a highly curable cancer like prostate cancer and allow it to advance, you soon have an aggressive disease on your hands that has spread to other parts of the body and now requires equally aggressive treatment.

Making time for yourself means a lot of things including eating well, exercising, finding time to do things that bring you peace and joy. But it also means making the time for yourself that allows you to manage your own healthcare. As the New Year closes in, it may be time to make the commitment to make the time for your healthcare including:

•    Scheduling a physical if you haven’t had one in some time. Most of us don’t forget to take our children to the doctors for a yearly physical. But ask most adults how long it’s been since they’ve been to the doctor for a checkup, and they will struggle with the answer. Schedule a physical that will assess your overall health and includes standard lab work.

•    Scheduling cancer screenings. For women, that means mammograms, breast ultrasounds, and a pap smear to screen for cervical cancer. For men, that means a prostate exam. And for both men and women that means a colonoscopy and skin cancer screening. All of these screenings are recommended for particular age groups so talk to your doctor about what is appropriate for you.

•    Follow up on any issues. If you’ve been struggling with a particular symptom or condition now is the time to take control. Consistent management of any health issue is crucial so make a commitment to stay on top of it this year and work with your doctor to formulate a plan.

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