Breast cancer is a hormone driven cancer. Estrogen is known to feed the cancer cells and allow growth of the abnormal cells or tumor. All women have estrogen and this hormone is certainly not the only culprit to the development or growth of breast cancer.
Read moreThe sad truth about alcohol and cancer →
Can alcohol increase your risk of cancer? Unfortunately for all of us who enjoy a glass or two of wine (or other preferred beverage), we are facing an increased risk of developing certain cancers if we choose to partake.
Read moreFact Over Fiction: in the time of COVID-19
Find your facts at the CDC and WHO websites. Remember people with cancer are at a higher risk of infection from Coronavirus due to a compromised immune system. COVID-19 is not the flu or a cold.
Read moreNothing fuels anxiety like uncertainty. What can we do right now to boost our immune system?
What can we do right now to boost our immune system? Feed your body good, whole foods, lower stress, exercise, get outside, prioritize sleep, hydrate, make sure you get enough Vit D, and avoid alcohol
Read moreCalm over Panic: Cancer patients understand risk In the time of COVID19
Moving away from our individual risk towards what our community/country/world risk is - this is the MOVE we must all make now.
Read moreExercise and Cancer
American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends we get out there and move our bodies because physical activity may reduce the risk of several types of cancer
Read moreWellness focused after cancer treatment - where do you even start?
Healing the whole patient is foundational to us at Field Guides to Cancer Care. That’s why we’ve created our Post-Treatment ReBuilds to a path to wellness.
Read moreTriple Negative Breast Cancer
What do we know about triple negative breast cancer? It is a less common breast cancer and not driven by estrogen or progesterone.
Read moreMini Breast MRI
A new study in JAMA looked at abbreviated or “mini” MRIs vs 3D mammography. This U.S. study found mini MRI is more effective at detecting breast cancer in women with dense breasts.
Read moreSupporting a loved one with a cancer diagnosis
Sometimes it is hard to know how best to support our friends as they undergo treatment for cancer. Listen. Avoid giving advice. Respect their privacy. Accept that their treatment choices are their choices.
Read moreDirect-to-consumer genetic testing
What is direct to consumer testing? Anyone can purchase a genetic test directly with the company and do not need a healthcare profession to order the testing
Read moreFinancial burden of cancer care
Undoubtedly, cancer takes a physical and emotional toll but cancer can have a big impact on your bank account too.
Read moreFeel better while on chemo
When we see patients prior to their chemo infusion, one thing we always ask about is their side effects. Commonly, chemo causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, decreased appetite, mouth sores or soreness, and weight loss. While we often adjust medications for these symptoms but we have 5 general guidelines that we always recommend that can help people feel better overall.
Read moreUnderstanding your labs: White blood cell count
White blood cells are a part of our immune system. We can measure the white blood cells that are circulating in our blood which can tell us important information, especially when on treatment for cancer. Since blood counts can be hard to understand, we thought we would break down the important items to focus on regarding white blood cell counts.
Read moreCoping with Uncertainty
The process of being diagnosed and treated for cancer is a significant life event and can be filled with uncertainty. Sometimes these questions are not easy to answer. Complications and delays in therapy can be hard to predict. As with any medical treatment, outcomes are not certain. You are not alone. This is one of the many (and common) symptoms we discuss in our Field Guide to Chemotherapy Symptom Management.
Read moreOctober is Breast Cancer Awareness Month: So, let’s talk
1 in 78 women will develop ovarian cancer in their lifetime. Ovarian Cancer is the 5th leading cause of cancer death in women.
Ovarian Cancer is cancer of the ovaries. Just a quick reminder, ovaries are 2 small organs near the uterus that are responsible for storing eggs and producing estrogen and progesterone.
What is a pulmonary embolism
A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot in one of the pulmonary arteries in the lung. Pulmonary refers to the lungs and embolism is a blockage in a blood vessel, hence the term pulmonary embolism. A blood clot that lodges in an artery in the lung usually travels there from a different part of the body. A common area where a blood clot can form is the calf of the leg which is called a deep venous thrombosis (DVT).
Read moreChemotherapy and alopecia: What to expect during your treatment
Alopecia is the medical term for hair loss. Chemotherapy induced alopecia is one of the most dreaded and feared side effects associated with chemotherapy. Patients have often told us that it is the one side effect that makes them feel like have cancer. It can be an unpleasant reminder of your illness and it can be an unwanted cue to strangers that you are sick.
Read moreDid you know… cancer patients are at increased risk for blood clots?
Blood clotting is a normal and healthy physiological process to stop bleeding when an injury has occurred. When blood clots happen within a vessel that has not been damaged, they can be problematic. The medical term for this type of problematic blood clot in vein is a deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Damage to or inflammation of a blood vessel increases the risk of a blood clot forming
Read moreBreast Cancer and Aspirin Use
There has been data suggesting taking aspirin daily can reduce your risk of developing breast cancer or developing a recurrence from breast cancer.
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