ENCORE #26! – Exercise – HOW THE FREAK IS IT A MIRACULOUS CURE FOR CANCER?????

From the first moment my wife discovered she had breast cancer, there was a deafening silence from the men I know. Even ones whose wives, mothers or girlfriends had breast cancer seemed to have received a gag order from some Central Cancer Command and did little more than mumble about the experience. Not one to shut up for any known reason, I started this blog…That was four years ago – as time passed, people searching for answers stumbled across my blog and checked out what I had to say. The following entry appeared on March 3, 2012…

I’ve talked about this subject before, but it’s one that doesn’t seem to yield to mere discussion:

http://breastcancerreaper.blogspot.com/2011/05/husbanding-bigger-middle.html

http://breastcancerreaper.blogspot.com/2012/01/10-exercise-hints-for-cancer-folk-and.html

http://breastcancerreaper.blogspot.com/2012/01/guest-post-david-haas-fight-cancer-with.html

As of this moment, I still alternately loathe exercise and acknowledge its importance. Even acknowledging its importance, I rarely do it. And to tell you the truth, I’m completely unsure about the connection between exercise and avoiding or helping cure cancer. So I decided to do some research and was surprised by what I found – or more precisely what I DIDN’T find. I didn’t find a clear explanation of the biological mechanisms connecting exercise and cancer survivorship.

I am ALWAYS leery when “researchers” make broad, sweeping, seemingly miraculous claims about anything – like those constantly irritating little “do this one weird fact” ads promise. In this article, identical statements are made but completely unsupported: “Researchers have established that regular physical activity can improve health by helping to control weight, maintaining healthy bones, muscles, and joints, reducing the risk of developing high blood pressure and diabetes, promoting psychological well-being, and reducing the risk of death from heart disease, reducing the risk of premature death. In addition to these health benefits, researchers are learning that physical activity can also affect the risk of cancer. There is convincing evidence that physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of cancers of the colon and breast. Several studies also have reported links between physical activity and a reduced risk of cancers of the prostate, lung, and lining of the uterus (endometrial cancer). Despite these health benefits, recent studies have shown that more than 50 percent of Americans do not engage in enough regular physical activity...”

There you have it: wild claims of miraculous health benefits and a sad lamentation that half of us are lazy slobs. How helpful! The fact is that beyond the hyperbole fostered by the Nordic Track (and its ilk) INDUSTRY, there are buried some real facts. It took me quite a bit of time to ferret these out and once I was done I realized I’ll be doing an article for EACH of the ten things below. I’ll start next Saturday, so for now, I leave you with these to ponder: 

1. Exercise may prevent tumor development by lowering hormone levels, (particularly in premenopausal women), as well as lowering levels of insulin and insulin-like growth factor
2. A home-based physical activity program had a beneficial effect on the fitness and psychological well-being of previously sedentary women who had completed treatment for early-stage through stage II breast cancer. Increasing physical activity may influence insulin and leptin levels and influence breast cancer prognosis.
3. Physical activity may decrease risk for various cancers by several mechanisms, including decreasing sex hormones
4. Physical activity may decrease risk for various cancers by several mechanisms including reducing metabolic hormones and inflammation
5. Physical activity may decrease risk for various cancers by improving immune function
6. Studies in postmenopausal women indicate that physical activity might affect postmenopausal breast cancer and endometrial cancer risk by reducing body fat, thereby lowering circulating levels of estrogens and androgens
7. Insulin resistance, hyperinsulinaemia, hyperglycaemia and type 2 diabetes have been linked to increased risk of breast, colon, pancreas and endometrial cancers. Physical activity improves insulin resistance, reduces hyperinsulinaemia and reduces risk for diabetes, which could explain the link between increased physical activity and reduced risk for these cancers
8. Increased levels of pro-inflammatory factors and decreased levels of anti-inflammatory factors have been linked with increased cancer risk. Physical activity might reduce systemic inflammation alone or in combination with reduction in body weight or composition through reducing inflammatory cytokines in adipose tissue.
9. Physical activity appears to enhance proliferation of lymphocytes, increases the number of natural killer cells and increases lymphokine-activated killer cells activity.
10. “The complicated nature of the physical activity variable, combined with lack of knowledge regarding possible biological mechanisms operating between physical activity and cancer, warrants further studies including controlled clinical randomized trials.”

References: http://www.ux1.eiu.edu/~cfje/5230/cancer-ex-Thune-01.pdf, http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/prevention/physicalactivity, http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/545870_2
Image: http://voluume.fr/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Encore-Sessions.jpg

BREAST CANCER RESEARCH RIGHT NOW! #40: After Tamoxifen and Anastrazole…

From the first moment my wife discovered she had breast cancer, there was a deafening silence from the men I know. Even ones whose wives, mothers or girlfriends had breast cancer seemed to have received a gag order from some Central Cancer Command and did little more than mumble about the experience. Not one to shut up for any known reason, I started this blog…

Every month, I’ll be highlighting breast cancer research that is going on RIGHT NOW! Harvested from different websites, journals and podcasts, I’ll translate them into understandable English and share them with you. Today: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/12/151211132333.htm

My wife is coming up on FIVE YEARS post-mastectomy; five months later will be five years post chemotherapy.

This article compares the after-effects of two cancer drugs my wife took: tamoxifen (http://breastcancerreaper.blogspot.com/2015/03/encore-8-take-tamoxifen-for-ten-years.html) and anastrazole (http://breastcancerreaper.blogspot.com/2011/12/next-five-years-anastrazole-whats-it-do.html).

In it, the research team discovered that “although both drugs were safe and effective, and had no detrimental effect on overall quality of life, there were some differences in the type and severity of symptoms the women experienced with each treatment, and these especially differed by age.”

The differences they say, are in the details. So what does this mean?

In women under 60, “tamoxifen [patients] complained of more severe hot flashes” as for  those taking anastrozole, they found that they had “greater severity of vaginal dryness and muscle and joint pains; hot flashes, weight problems, vaginal symptoms and gynecological symptoms”

Neither drug had any significant  negative effect on women over 60; and overall, “The research also indicated that symptoms such as depression and fatigue were no different in comparison between the two drugs and did not increase in patients during the five years of treatment.” Of course, this implies that depression and fatigue are going to be common factors in post-treatment women, no matter their age.

Drug treatment for women with breast cancer is going to be brutal. However, this study simply shows that doctors need to choose wisely when prescribing the drug to patients of different ages. Better still, PATIENTS in-the-know can make sure that their providers are making the best choices for them.

Image: http://breastcancernow.org/sites/default/files/public/styles/featured_image_large__870x489_/public/drugs.jpg?itok=pr3R1jeE

ENCORE #25! – 10 Exercise TIPS for Cancer Folk (and don’t forget the significant others!)

From the first moment my wife discovered she had breast cancer, there was a deafening silence from the men I know. Even ones whose wives, mothers or girlfriends had breast cancer seemed to have received a gag order from some Central Cancer Command and did little more than mumble about the experience. Not one to shut up for any known reason, I started this blog…That was four years ago – as time passed, people searching for answers stumbled across my blog and checked out what I had to say. The following entry appeared in January of 2012…

“You should just exercise! It will take away the stress! It will help you heal faster! Exercise will make you better!”

Cool.

Fine. Sign me up for the next Grandma’s Marathon! Running twenty-six miles should be good for at least one chemotherapy session, right?

Exercise…

What exactly does this mean? How do I turn “exercise is good for you” into something I can DO? Oh, and is the “exercise is good for you” mantra only for the loved one with cancer? What about me – who put on something over ten pounds during the chemo sessions and can’t seem to shake the weight now?

The answers to these questions a literally scattered all over the internet, so I’ll try and analyze and condense them here into TEN workable breast cancer treatment and after-treatment practical exercise tips (ALWAYS TALK TO OR CALL YOUR CANCER CARE CENTER BEFORE YOU START ANY KIND OF EXERCISE TO SEE IF IT’S SAFE FOR YOU):

1. “‘You don't have to be Lance Armstrong,’ stresses Dr. Julia Rowland of the National Cancer Institute, speaking from a survivorship meeting this month that highlighted exercise research. ‘Walk the dog, play a little golf.’” Walk the dog, walk to the end of the block, walk somewhere. Several people recommended finding a neighborhood indoor mall that opens early and walk the perimeter before the stores open. Walk!
2. “Researchers think exercising together may help both partners stick with it. They also are testing whether the shared activity improves both physical functioning and eases the strain that cancer puts on the caregiver and the marriage.” Walk with a loved one (in my case, ME! I should be walking and exercising WITH my wife. WALKING. Doing DANCE FEVER to an enjoyable music routine. Life weights – or cans of soup if you don’t have weights. A little weight lifted a number of times during a day counts as exercise! Hide the weight in your work locker or in a desk drawer – or leave it out and tell people what you’re doing. You will find a remarkable amount of support.
3. “For example, Schmitz led a major study that found careful weight training can protect against lymphedema, reversing years of advice to coddle the at-risk arm…” See #2 – lift anything! (By the way, this is called resistance training – the weight “resists” being lifted.)
4. “…at-home exercises with some muscle-strengthening, plus a better diet, could slow physical decline.” There are dozens of DVD exercise programs. If you can’t buy one, check one out from your local library or ask to borrow one from a local gym, YMCA or school. Do as much as you can, then stop. (See #1 above!) Also, lifting the DVD into the player is exercise! Here’s the address for a DVD specifically for breast cancer survivors: http://www.strengthandcourage.net/
5. Arms at your side, hold a towel in both hands. Using the unaffected arm, pull the other behind the back. Alternate Pain is to be respected and the stretch should be held to the point of discomfort not pain .The stretches should be held from 5-10 seconds at first, gradually increasing the length of time. It’s better to do this several times during the day, rather than all at once. With arms bent (on either side of the head), hold a towel in both hands. Using the unaffected arm, pull the other behind the head.
6. “If lymphedema is a concern, you…should be fitted with a sleeve which is worn while exercising especially when lifting weights. Progress…slowly and start with a light weight – ONE pound is just fine.”
7. Walking and cycling are quite beneficial as are swimming, cross training, or aerobics. It is best to begin with a 5-10 minute walk to judge...if a long period is too much, multiple shorter aerobic sessions are fine. Your goal will be to gradually increase the time period engaged in aerobic exercise and to slowly increase your exercise tolerance.
8. Doing yoga can provide flexibility benefits as well as instruction in stress reduction techniques that can prove beneficial. [I know nothing about yoga, so start with a library visit or a YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3vLZqPZxZE]
9. Yep, I’m sayin’ it again: “Walking, a common fitness choice, offers the benefits of aerobic exercise without overly straining the body. According to a 2005 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the benefits of walking peak when a breast cancer patient or survivor walks 3 to 5 hours weekly at a pace of 2 to 3 miles per hour.”
10. Find a swimming pool and join a waterobics class; if you can’t join a class, get this CD: http://www.maryessert.com/bcr.htm This site lists the exercises and exactly how to do them! 

References: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37978604/ns/health-cancer/t/get-moving-cancer-survivors-urged-exercise/#.TyPj4lxAb_M
http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/BreastCancer/MoreInformation/exercises-after-breast-surgery
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/physical/pdf/PA_Intensity_table_2_1.pdf (A really, really LONG list of things you can do to exercise!)http://www.afpafitness.com/articles/articles-and-newletters/research-articles-index/womens-fitness-health-issues/fitness-tips-for-working-with-breast-cancer-survivors/
Image: http://voluume.fr/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Encore-Sessions.jpg

GUY’S GOTTA TALK ABOUT #20…Giving Thanks

From the first moment my wife discovered she had breast cancer, there was a deafening silence from the men I know. Even ones whose wives, mothers or girlfriends had breast cancer seemed to have received a gag order from some Central Cancer Command and did little more than mumble about the experience. Not one to shut up for any known reason, I started this blog…

While the article is about forgiveness, and references Matthew 18 in which a man who was forgiven a HUGE debt went out and when he couldn’t collect on a small debt someone else owed him – he had the man thrown into prison.

I’m sure the end outcome is obvious, but I want to emphasize the lesson implied here. I think it implies that when you are forgiven a debt; when something that you expected to happen doesn’t, you GIVE THANKS.

I forget, now that the initial horror is over four years past, to give thanks. So at this time, I offer up my heartfelt thanks that my wife is healthy and that I have learned.

Thank you.

That is all...

Resource: http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/healthscience/2015/June/The-Deadly-Consequences-of-Unforgiveness/

Image: http://wrex.images.worldnow.com/images/23784252_SA.jpg

ENCORE #24! – GUEST POST: David Haas -- Fight Cancer With Physical Fitness

From the first moment my wife discovered she had breast cancer, there was a deafening silence from the men I know. Even ones whose wives, mothers or girlfriends had breast cancer seemed to have received a gag order from some Central Cancer Command and did little more than mumble about the experience. Not one to shut up for any known reason, I started this blog…That was four years ago – as time passed, people searching for answers stumbled across my blog and checked out what I had to say. The following entry appeared January of 2012…

When a cancer patient first finds out he or she has any form of cancer, skin cancer, liver cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, mesothelioma, or any other type of cancer, one of their first questions is what they can do to help their body fight the disease. Conventional ideology by patients and cancer treatments staff, including doctors, was to rest and take it easy during diagnosis, treatment and remission stages. Yet recent studies have indicated that physical activity no matter what your stage of cancer can have tremendous health benefits.

According to the National Cancer Institute, physical activity is a critical component of something called energy balance, and not only does it increase energy levels, it can also reduce the risk of some cancers, like breast cancer and colon cancer.
Physical activity has the added benefit of improving overall quality of life and reducing fatigue. It is also associated with positive psychological effects that result from the knowledge of taking good care of one's body, the release of feel good chemicals like serotonin, and the hope of not giving-up.
Studies into the benefits of physical activity in those who have cancer have indicated a positive correlation between increased recurrence rates and chances of survival in those who were more active post-diagnosis.
Exercise also strengthens the body and increases its natural defense mechanisms. This helps the body withstand rigorous treatments like chemotherapy by reducing the side effects like nausea and fatigue, fights off any opportunistic infections and empowers the body to mend. It also helps reduce excessive body fats that are a risk factor for chronic diseases like heart disease. Other conditions that are positively affected by physical activity are cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Finally, exercise also promotes good sleeping and this is especially beneficial to cancer patients as they bodies need rest. Therefore, contrary to conventional thoughts on resting which involved keeping sedimentary, good rest along with a host of other health benefits can result from keeping physically active. Therefore whether a patient was just diagnosed, is going through treatment or is in remission, physical activity is an important component of their weekly regimen. Exercise does not need to be intensive, even the smallest changes that keep one active like walking a dog or taking the stairs can make a difference. It is important to check with a doctor first before getting started.

David Haas is a cancer patient advocate and the Community Awareness Director for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance who writes and researches for the betterment of others.

Image: http://voluume.fr/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Encore-Sessions.jpg

BREAST CANCER RESEARCH RIGHT NOW! #39: Home Pneumatic Compression Device Reduces Cellulitis in Women With Lymphedema!

From the first moment my wife discovered she had breast cancer, there was a deafening silence from the men I know. Even ones whose wives, mothers or girlfriends had breast cancer seemed to have received a gag order from some Central Cancer Command and did little more than mumble about the experience. Not one to shut up for any known reason, I started this blog…

Every month, I’ll be highlighting breast cancer research that is going on RIGHT NOW! Harvested from different websites, journals and podcasts, I’ll translate them into understandable English and share them with you. Today: http://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/advanced-compression-device-helps-le

First of all, of course, “THE HECK is cellulitis?”

According to Mayo Clinic Online, “Cellulitis (sel-u-LIE-tis) is a common, potentially serious bacterial skin infection. Cellulitis appears as a swollen, red area of skin that feels hot and tender. Left untreated, the spreading infection can rapidly turn life-threatening.”

My wife has never experienced cellulitis, and as it appears most often to occur in the legs, that’s not a big concern. The study listed below however, notes that it decreases the incidence of cellulitis in women who have experienced breast cancer; and one of the aspect of breast cancer treatment is the removal of lymph nodes that precipitate lymphedema, so that loss increases the chance that one of the infective agents of cellulitis (there are several) might take hold. “A small study has found that an advanced pneumatic compression device used at home reduced cellulitis episodes by nearly 80% in people with lymphedema and lowered their healthcare costs related to lymphedema.”

How common is cellulitis in women who have been treated for breast cancer? I can’t say because I couldn’t find any statistics. We know that lymphedema itself is hard to track: “There is no consistency in the data on the incidence and prevalence of lymphedema after breast cancer, probably because of differences in diagnosis, the different characteristics of the patients studied, and inadequate follow-up to capture delayed development of the disorder. The overall incidence of arm lymphedema can range from 8% to 56% at 2 years post-surgery.”

One study I saw notes that cellulitis occurs in one to eight percent of surgical patients, but that’s not a big help regarding breast cancer, lymphedema, and cellulitis.

My question then is, “If this device decreases the incidence of cellulitis, why wouldn’t you use it to reduce lymphedema in ALL cases?”

 Makes you wonder, doesn’t it...

Resources: http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/lymphedema/infection; http://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/advanced-compression-device-helps-le; http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cellulitis/basics/definition/con-20023471; http://www.nhs.uk/ipgmedia/national/Lymphoedema%20Support%20Network/Assets/ManagingcellulitisinlymphoedemaLSN10pages.pdf; http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/lymphedema/lymphedema-hp-pdq;

Image: http://g02.s.alicdn.com/kf/HTB100spGFXXXXcUaXXXq6xXFXXXr/223048802/

HTB100spGFXXXXcUaXXXq6xXFXXXr.jpg

ENCORE #23 ! – Man Cancer and the Orchiectomy

From the first moment my wife discovered she had breast cancer, there was a deafening silence from the men I know. Even ones whose wives, mothers or girlfriends had breast cancer seemed to have received a gag order from some Central Cancer Command and did little more than mumble about the experience. Not one to shut up for any known reason, I started this blog…That was four years ago – as time passed, people searching for answers stumbled across my blog and checked out what I had to say. The following entry appeared in December 2011.

So this week I got the news that two good friends of mine have cancer. One has colon cancer and will be undergoing a colECTOMY (ecto = Greek for “to cut out”) during the Christmas season.

The other is twenty-some years younger than me. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer and had a radical orchiectomy after which…well, we don’t know because they are in the specific diagnosis part of his New Normal. He said he’d let me know because I pray well for biological specifics – I can see the parts of the body that are affected – cancer, breaks, dislocations, flu. I am a great prayer for healing of body parts as well as for restoring the heart and mind.

At any rate, some time ago, my wife asked “Why do so many people have breast cancer?” I marshaled statistics in this post: http://breastcancerreaper.blogspot.com/2011/06/why-do-so-many-women-have-breast-cancer.html

The research led me to the statistics for other kinds of cancer – lung cancer, Liz’s mom died from this; blood cancer (leukemia), the son of close family friends; brain cancer, an old friend of mine died from this at 30; skin cancer, my sister, brother and sister-in-law have this; there are others with other cancers that I don’t care to enumerate at this time.

Testicular cancer has increased by 60% in the past 25 years. Why? Right now no one knows the answer, it just…has.

A student of mine, after we talked about why my wife’s hair all fell out during chemo. I talked about how the chemicals target fast-growing cancer cells – and kill the fast-growing hair cells “accidentally”. She then went on a rave about how we should make drugs that ONLY target cancer cells…and that got me to thinking.

Are all cancer cells created equal? Or are they egalitarian? Is testicular cancer the same as breast cancer? Brain cancer? Lung cancer? Skin cancer?

Questions – and today…no answers. Just more questions that I’m going to try to answer in the future…

Image: http://voluume.fr/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Encore-Sessions.jpg

GUY’S GOTTA TALK ABOUT #19…Spiritual Journeys

From the first moment my wife discovered she had breast cancer, there was a deafening silence from the men I know. Even ones whose wives, mothers or girlfriends had breast cancer seemed to have received a gag order from some Central Cancer Command and did little more than mumble about the experience. Not one to shut up for any known reason, I started this blog…

This is post 217…I started it four years ago.

I suppose I’ve avoided it because it’s tough to talk about and it would probably drive some men away, sending them running for the hills.

Twenty-first Century American White Midwest Culture does not hold male spiritual journeys in high esteem. In fact, it does everything it can to ridicule, downplay and crush any sort of discussion of anything that doesn’t have to do with football, Fords, and fight club; or investments, Lexus’, and finance.

But not emotion except rage, anger, cursing, shouting, rage, anger, and (patting on heads in) condescension.

Spirituality is to be avoided at all costs, in particular Christianity and whiteness which has somehow gotten tangled into some sort of White Supremacist Oppressionism – as Black Christianity is OK and untouchable.

There certainly wasn’t much help for me personally when my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. The Church was even more silent than the rest of the male community – most likely because breast cancer deals with “breasts” and “cancer”; neither of which the Church as a whole deals with. At all. Perhaps because breasts are forbidden because of their link with __ e __ and “cancer’s” appearance of uncleanness – sort of like leprosy. So no one in the Church talks about breast cancer. Except to pray for healing.

Men don’t mention it and usually pretend no such thing exists.

Do I sound bitter?

It’s because I am. Incredibly so.

When you look at Relay For Life teams, there are military bases, squads, corporate sponsors, schools, individuals, and small businesses. I have yet to see anything like a “Church of Saint Immaculate Open Heart Episcopalian Non-denominational Hope” sponsor a team. None. At all.

No support from men in general; less-than no support from men in the Church.

As far as a crisis of faith goes, the past four years have been one ongoing crisis of faith for me.

I don’t have any words of wisdom here for anyone else in a crisis of faith as mine is ongoing.

If anyone else has come through this with any sort of Christian faith, I’d like to hear from you.

Resources: There aren’t any. Just stuff about “miraculous healing from bc”

Image: http://wrex.images.worldnow.com/images/23784252_SA.jpg