An estimated 10 million Americans alive today have faced a cancer diagnosis. Fortunately, advances in cancer care and treatment have dramatically improved survival rates and overall quality of life. That improvement is largely due to patients, like you, who are taking an active role in their cancer treatment. The next step is to find out how to maintain a healthy lifestyle and properly care for your entire body. Here are some questions you may want to explore on your next visit with your doctor. You can download a PDF of this page.
Questions
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Will cancer and its treatment affect other parts of my body?
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Despite treatment, cancer cells can spread from the initial location to other organs, including your bones. Several of the most common types of cancer (e.g., breast, lung, prostate, kidney) can spread from the original tumor site to invade the bone, a process known as bone metastasis. Multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cell, can also progress uncontrollably and accumulate in multiple parts of the body. The mass accumulation of these cancerous plasma cells can form tumors that spread. This process, when involving the bones, can cause further complications. Bone metastases often lead to an increased risk for fracture or compression of the spinal cord, resulting in painful and potentially debilitating bone complications.
You will most likely experience an impact on other parts of your body as a result of your cancer and its treatment. Chemotherapy, for example, can cause hair loss and swelling, and breast cancer patients may have a mastectomy, which will alter the body's appearance.
It is important that you visit your oncologist to conduct a full medical examination to determine if your cancer has metastasized to the bone, and learn about how you can take action to protect your bones.
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Should I be concerned about other medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, their treatments, and their impact on cancer?
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Preexisting medical conditions put you at higher risk for developing complications throughout your cancer treatment. It is important that you speak with the doctor who has been overseeing the treatment of these conditions, as well as your oncologist, to determine the most appropriate treatment option. You should discuss any medications you may be taking to treat a preexisting medical condition, as these can also have an effect on your cancer treatment.
Patients with anemia, for example, experience fatigue and weight loss, which can be made worse with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and make cancer therapies less effective.
Also, be sure to talk to your doctor about protecting your bones. Bone metastases may weaken bones leading to fractures that can be painful and debilitating.
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Do I still need to see my other healthcare professionals (primary care physician, gynecologist, dentist) since I am under the care of my oncologist?
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While your oncologist is treating your cancer, it is extremely important that you visit your other healthcare providers to ensure you are not neglecting other potential health problems. It is crucial to talk about your cancer diagnosis and treatment with your other doctors.
Cancer treatment can affect your entire body, including your teeth and gums. Your dentist should know that you are being treated for cancer, and your oncologist should be aware of your dental history.
Your oncologist should become another member of your healthcare team. It is important that your doctors work together and keep one another informed of your health status in order to provide you with the best care possible.
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How can I maintain intimacy with my partner after my cancer diagnosis?
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Some people experience little or no change in their sexual desire and energy level during their illness. Others find that their sexual interest declines because of the physical and emotional stress of having cancer and undergoing treatment. Just as it is important to speak with your doctor about the side effects of treatment, you must speak with your partner about your feelings and concerns and find ways to attend to this important part of your life.
Taking walks together is a leisurely activity that allows you to simultaneously spend quality time together and exercise. Walking provides weight-bearing exercise, which may help maintain bone density and keep your bones as strong as possible.
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Are there certain foods or drinks I should be sure to include in my diet as a result of my cancer or the treatments I am receiving? Is it safe for me to exercise?
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To maintain the best possible health, cancer patients need to exercise and eat a healthy diet. People who eat well and exercise are often better able to cope with the side effects of treatment and regain strength. Talk to your doctor about creating a customized diet plan, and stick to it. Your doctor can also provide you with an exercise plan that will be most beneficial to you. There are many weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, dancing and stair climbing, which build bone mass and provide many physical and psychological benefits.
A healthy diet that will help protect your bones generally includes:
- Sufficient calcium: Dairy products, such as milk, yogurt and cheese, are a good source of calcium. Also try green leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach and arugula, which are high in calcium and fiber. It is recommended that women get 1000-1500 mg/day of calcium; men get 1000 mg/day until age 50; and men over age 51 get 1200 mg/day.
- Sufficient Vitamin D: Vitamin D helps your body absorb and effectively utilize calcium. While found naturally in some foods, such as fatty fish, Vitamin D supplements are the best way to ensure adequate intake. The ideal intake is 400-800 IU/day.
- Moderate protein: Protein is essential for fracture healing and proper function of the immune system. Soymilk, wheat and almonds are all beneficial to bone health. Women should aim to get 44 g/day, while men should aim for 56 g/day.
- Limited sodium (salt): High sodium intake interferes with calcium retention; the higher the level of sodium the more calcium the body needs to meet its daily requirements. Try substituting salt with one of the many low sodium alternatives. Eat low sodium bread or consume bread moderately as bread is a major source of sodium.
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Learn more about other bone health support resources.
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