Cancer Fighters Thrive is a quarterly print and online magazine bringing readers practical, innovative and inspirational information about cancer treatment and survivorship.
Issue link: http://cancerfightersthrive.epubxp.com/i/259111
spring 2014 | cancer fighters thrive 29 cf thrive. com TAKING HERBS AND PRESCRIPTIONS SAFELY If you have been diagnosed with cancer and are currently taking herbal supplements, it is very important to inform your care team about the supplements you are taking because some herbs may interfere with cancer treatment. Here are some important facts to consider: • Chemical compounds in herbs can block, change or increase the action of prescription drugs. They can also affect how drugs are metabolized by organs such as the liver. • Chemical compounds in garlic may affect blood clotting. Do not use garlic supplements if you are already taking anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs. Garlic can also interfere with the action of the antiviral drug Invirase® (saquinavir mesylate). • Herbs that affect brain chemicals such as serotonin should not be taken concurrently with medication aimed at altering mood, such as Prozac® (fluoxetine), tricyclic antidepressants, Alzheimer's medications and L-dopamine. • Some herbal remedies—including St. John's wort, vitamin E, garlic, ginger, feverfew, fish oil, gingko, ginseng, chamomile and dong quai—appear to increase the risk of bleeding. Be especially cautious before having surgery. • Some herbs may interfere with drugs commonly used before, during and after surgery, including anesthetics. Some experts suggest that you stop taking any dietary supplements at least one week before surgery to give them time to "wash out" of your system. The bottom line is this: Herbs can be an important tool to support overall health. Just be sure to share a list of all supplements you take with your health care providers. Source: Cancer Nutrition Centers of America (cncahealth.com). TIPS & TRENDS TIPS & TRENDS MIGHTY MEALS Good nutrition and weight-loss prevention are essential when undergoing treatment for cancer. Losing too much weight or losing weight too quickly is a sign that the body is not receiving the calories and the protein it requires. This can cause the body to draw on its stores of fat and protein (muscle), which can lead to malnutrition and impaired functioning of the immune system. Try these tips for controlling weight loss during cancer treatment: • Save room for food at mealtimes by drinking fluids between meals instead of with meals. • Think snacks instead of meals. Consume four to six small meals every day. • Snack on high-calorie, high-protein foods, such as cottage cheese, eggs, beans, nuts, nut butters, seeds, avocado, yogurt and cheese. • Try shakes, smoothies or premade nutritional drinks. • Add nonfat dry milk powder to pudding, shakes, hot cereals, soups and mashed potatoes. • Dine with friends and family to make mealtimes more fun. • Enhance your meals by adding peanut butter to toast, granola to yogurt, cheese to mashed potatoes and beans to soups. • Make your liquids count. Instead of just water, try milk, juice, shakes and instant breakfast drinks. Adapted from Wholesome Temptation™: Nutrition Tips and Recipes from Cancer Treatment Centers of America®. FOR A FREE PRINT SUBSCRIPTION GO TO CFTHRIVE.COM A SILVER PEN CREATES A SILVER LINING Hollye Jacobs' The Silver Lining: A Supportive and Insightful Guide to Breast Cancer (Atria Books, 2014) combines valuable information about all aspects of breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery with the author's eloquent description of her firsthand experiences to cre- ate a truly inspiring and educational resource. Jacobs, a palliative care nurse with graduate degrees in social work, bioethics and child devel- opment, was diagnosed with breast cancer at 39 and shortly there- after began to blog about her experience at thesilverpen.com. Now she offers readers both her professional expertise and her hard-won personal insight in a book designed to empower patients. For more information, visit thesilverpen.com or pur- chase the book online through amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com or indiebound.org. cftSp#23vky.indd 29 2/5/14 7:21 AM