Alcohol and Cancer

By DebiLyn Smith www.debilynsmith.com Author of Running From Cancer: a tilted memoir. A breast cancer "treatment survivor" since May 2011, DebiLyn strives to reduce the 50% of life-style induced cancer patients. "You can run, but you can't hide," she says.

Drinking Alcohol on a Regular Basis Can Increase the Risk of Breast Cancer

Exceeding the three weekly maximum recommended alcoholic drinks affects cancer risk

It's talked about in women's magazines and on the television and radio, but it isn't really news. Like the fact that smoking can cause lung cancer, the fact that there is a relationship between women drinking alcohol and breast cancer has existed for some time now. As with smoking, it takes a while to open everyone's eyes about how dangerous playing with that weekend cigarette or that second or third drink in one day can really be. Will we have to resort to pictures of mastectomies on wine bottles to get the point across? Hopefully not.

Alcohol Fuels Cancer in a Number of Ways

The number of breast cancer cases has been rising sharply, possibly due to the amount of Baby Boomers approaching or being in menopause. All those hormone levels fluctuating. The majority of breast cancers are fed by hormones like estrogen or progesterone. When I read this, I thought, "Bingo!" I had been peri-menopausal for months, meaning my periods were becoming unreliable in length, timing and appearance. I used to think PMS was bad. This next phase had me humming like a mental patient. Nothing was right in my life. My friends all drove me crazy, my husband intentionally, I was sure, did everything wrong and the entire world was stacked against me. It was easy to slip into drinking three glasses of wine in one evening. On weekends, there were glasses of wine at lunch. More at the lounge after skiing, then more with dinner and socializing. Little did I know they were fueling a cancer that had decided to grow within my breast.

Alcohol may contribute to breast cancer in a number of ways. One of its metabolic byproducts, acetaldehyde, is thought to be carcinogenic. Alcohol may also boost blood estrogen levels, which can feed cancer growth. As well, alcohol may inhibit the ability of cells to repair faulty genes and make breast cells more vulnerable to carcinogens.

Exceeding Weekly Maximum Recommended Alcoholic Drinks Affects Cancer Risk

What's recommended? A maximum of three alcoholic drinks a week for women, seven to fourteen for men. The worst of the bad news is for women who have already been through breast cancer. For them, playing with any alcohol can be detrimental, especially if they have a hormone-fed type of cancer (ie: estrogen or progesterone). Therefore, women who drink regularly, like every day, will have chronically elevated levels of estrogen circulating in their bloodstream. And since estrogen is the equivalent of light, sweet crude for the breast cancer engine, it's easy to see why regular alcohol consumption is directly linked to an increased risk for breast cancer. In fact, there does not appear to be any "safe" level of alcohol use: even a half glass of wine per day increases the risk for breast cancer.

I hate to be the heavy here, but a fact is a fact. Please keep this in the front and not the back of your mind the next time you raise that second glass of spirits to your lips. And let's all drink to our health! Make mine a double water, heavy on the anxiety-free, please.

To find a Cancer Rehab Canada near you, visit the list of British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, or Nova Scotia locations.

Chemo Brain is Real

There appears to be a tie between chemotherapy and the cognitive processes of the brain

Mental Fogginess After Chemotherapy Can Provoke Feelings of Insecurity

Chemo Brain is real.

One of my strongest memories of returning to work after receiving 6 months of chemotherapy is the feeling of fogginess. I was happy to be back in the saddle, surrounded by supportive co-workers, but I had this sense of being dazed and distracted for the first several months. I would sit in front of my computer screen and simply stare, wondering why it was taking me so long to respond to an email. Approving the bimonthly payroll took me three times as long as I knew it had previously, but the numbers just never added up as easily as they used to. I would call someone and then forget what I was calling them about, or I'd forget the name of someone I know well during the conversation. It left me feeling insecure, inadequate and unsure as to whether I should be there or not.

Chemo Brain Symptoms Include Poor Memory, Difficulty Focusing and Problems with Multi-tasking

I had challenges with things such as:

• Multi-tasking
• Word/name recall
• Numerical calculations
• Difficulty focusing
• Poor memory

Chemo Brain Is As Real As the Problems It Causes

Many cancer survivors struggle with mental fogginess or "chemo brain" that occurs during and after their cancer treatment. Although the exact cause of it is still not known, there does appear to be a link to the effect that chemotherapy has on cognitive processes of the brain. These symptoms can range from being very vague to being a major impairment, and they can last only a short time or years. An MRI of the "chemo brain" will show actual changes to the grey matter. Chemo brain is as real as the problems it causes, so don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

5 Suggestions to Help You Cope With Chemo Brain

As a result of the challenges brought on by chemo brain, it is not surprising that many people are unable to cope like they used to - and begin to feel anxious and depressed. In my experience, the changes were subtle and not that noticeable to an outsider, but very evident and upsetting to me. A real blow to one's self-esteem. Here are some of my strategies to try and overcome these challenges.

5 simple suggestions to help you cope with chemo fog:

1. Get adequate rest and plan to do challenging mental activities when you are well-rested.
2. Be present in the moment, focus on the task at hand and learn to ignore the background noise and confusion. Many cancer survivors benefit from regular meditation. I found that having a quiet work space was essential.
3. Exercise regularly to keep your mind clear and feeling more alert. Get outside when you can, as I found the fresh air really helps bring clarity.
4. Create "to do lists" to keep track of tasks at hand. I became reliant on my phone, adding notes constantly to help get me organized and on task.
5. Slow down your mind and your body. This is a difficult one to do when you are feeling anxious already. I found that deep breathing is really great - three deep breaths will bring everything into clear focus.

Treatment is Available For Ongoing Cognitive Problems Experienced After Receiving Chemotherapy

If your problems persist, you may require a cognitive abilities evaluation and have a rehab professional, such as a neuropsychologist or occupational therapist, work with you to provide cognitive enhancement training. Recent research shows that there is a great deal that can be done to improve an individual' memory and other brain functions. At Cancer Rehab Canada, we believe in your ability to retrain your brain and and encourage you to seek treatment for ongoing cognitive problems. Please contact us to find the clinic nearest you.

To find a Cancer Rehab Canada near you, visit the list of British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, or Nova Scotia locations.

The Best Treatment for Cancer Related Fatigue

Studies indicate that 80% of people who received chemotherapy or radiotherapy will have some degree of fatigue

Cancer Related Fatigue Remains Number One Problem

The most prevalent side effect of cancer treatment is fatigue. Studies suggest that eighty per cent of individuals who have received chemotherapy or radiotherapy will experience some degree of persistent fatigue. In Dead Tired, Dr. Jane Poulson describes her experience of cancer fatigue as "unlike any fatigue I have ever known, not only in severity and longevity but in its effect on my mood and spirits".

 Exercise Lowers Reported Fatigue Levels by 40 - 50%

Physical exercise has been suggested as helpful in reducing fatigue

Although it seems counter-intuitive to most people, the best cure for fatigue is exercise. The scientific evidence supporting exercise as the best intervention for fatigue is very strong. However it is often difficult for those overwhelmed by fatigue to know how to get themselves going again. They need guidance to start slowly and gradually increase their exercise over weeks and months. Every individual is different and some people have medical precautions which make finding their safe level of exercise more challenging. Appropriate screening and modifications of prescribed exercise is extremely important.

Cancer Exercise in the Community

At Cancer Rehab Canada we encourage you to get out there and get active. We want you to find a safe and engaging way to exercise. For some people this may be doing Yoga or Pilates at a local gym, and for others it might mean walking the dog. Exercising with others in a group setting is often an excellent way to take your mind off your fatigue and motivate you to get going, but you need to be mindful that you are an individual and everyone is unique.

If you have any doubt about your abilities to do certain exercises, please consult with a rehab professional at Cancer Rehab Canada. Starting an exercise program after an illness isn't easy, and often a few simple strategies can get you safely on your way to a full recovery. Before you know it you will be able to enjoy increased energy and much less fatigue.

To find a Cancer Rehab Canada near you, visit the list of British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, or Nova Scotia locations.

Limited Joint Mobility Can Be Improved With Cancer Rehabilitation

Celeste Petrusevski, Registered Physiotherapist at LifeMark Physiotherapy on Bay, guides a patient in range of motion exercises

Joint Stiffness and Reduced Range of Motion Can Happen Months or Even Years After Patients Have Already Completed Their Cancer Treatments

One of the impacts of cancer treatment sometimes experienced by patients after cancer treatment is limited range of motion, or the reduced ability to easily move their limbs from particular joints. This reduced ability to move occurs due to joint stiffness, pain, swelling, or muscle aches. These are among the less recognized problems that can occur after chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy or biotherapy treatments. Sometimes side effects of cancer treatment can arise months or even years after the treatment has already ended. Cancer rehabilitation specializes in assisting patients to recover from those side effects and improve their quality of life.

Cancer physiotherapy can help improve limited range of motion through specialized exercise techniques called "range of motion" exercises. These exercises, which are done very gently, are designed to move the stiff joints through to their full range of movement. When working with a cancer rehab physiotherapist, a patient will be prescribed range of motion exercises that are required to be done daily in prescribed repetition according to their individualized treatment plan.

"Many patients will experience loss of mobility and strength following cancer treatment and/or surgery", says Celeste Petrusevski, a Registered Physiotherapist at LifeMark Physio on Bay. "This can greatly affect daily activities and lead to pain and weakness over time. As Physiotherapists we work closely with our patients to guide them through specific exercises that are prescribed on a daily basis and completed at home or in the clinic. These client specific exercise programs will work to restore full mobility to the joint in a safe and effective way. Clients can then return to work, activities and hobbies pain free. Having a health professional such as a Physiotherapist address and improve the functional limitations associated with cancer treatment is an integral part of a full recovery."

Every joint has its own normal range of motion, and when joints are functioning properly it is possible to move around freely and perform regular activities without pain. Early rehabilitation can often prevent problems such as joint stiffness from developing, so please don't wait - it is best to seek treatment in the early stages.

To find a Cancer Rehab Canada near you, visit the list of British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, or Nova Scotia locations.