Coping with life after cancer

Two of my closest relatives have had to have surgery to remove cancerous tumours or tissue.

There are regular articles concerning cancer in the media. Recently Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie revealed that she had undergone a preventive double mastectomy after her mother, Marcheline Bertrand, died of ovarian cancer and she was found to be carrying the BRCA1 cancer gene, which also gives her a 50 percent risk of ovarian or breast cancer. Her aunt Debbie Martin, her mother’s younger sister, who also carried the gene, died of breast cancer less than two weeks after Jolie’s revelation.

Jolie’s doctors estimated that she had an 87 percent risk of breast cancer and a 50 percent risk of ovarian cancer.

Jolie’s revelation caused an international stir. However it is hoped that it prompted more people to get screened for the disease, especially if they have a number of risk factors.

For those who have received a cancer diagnosis and are undergoing therapy, there is hope as modern medicine has found many ways to deal with this disease.

In addition to praying, and seeking medical help, cancer patients need to find ways to deal with stress relating to this disease, and many times music and artistic endeavours can help in the healing process.

Those who have survived cancer know the value of eating a proper diet and looking after their health by visiting the doctor often and exercising regularly as they grow older.

Chemotherapy, radiation, and other cancer treatments are hard on the body. Fortunately, making healthy food choices can help you feel better and speed your recovery.

“When you’re being treated for cancer, it’s important to avoid extreme diets that may leave you short on key nutrients,” says Veronica McLymont, PhD, RD, director of food and nutrition services at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. “Instead, focus on eating a balanced diet. It may be wise to ask the oncologist or a nutritionist if you need extra calories and protein to keep your strength up during treatment.”

Choose whole grain breads and cereals. Drink 100 percent fruit or vegetable juices. (Make sure they are pasteurised because you may be more susceptible to germs while you’re getting cancer treatment.)

Fill half of your plate with vegetables and fruits. A few times a week, choose meatless meals such as vegetarian lasagna or vegetable stir-fry. Snack on carrot sticks, sweet pepper slices, and fresh or dried fruits. Have a leafy green salad with dinner.

Limit sugary foods – the kind with lots of calories but very little nutrition.

Try to eat, even if you don’t have an appetite. Lack of appetite is common during cancer treatment. Some treatments can even make food taste unpleasant. “Even though you don’t feel like eating, it’s important to get adequate nutrition,” says Sarah Rafat, RD, a senior dietitian at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Here’s what to do:

Choose high-calorie, nutrient-rich foods such as avocados, nuts, beans, seeds, puddings, and cooked cereals.

Eat small meals throughout your day. Don’t wait until you’re hungry to eat. Instead, eat at certain times of day. Keep your favourite foods close at hand.

Make your meals look appealing. Add parsley, lemon slices, cherry tomatoes, and other colourful garnishes to your plate.