There is no magic exercise that can be recommended for preventing cancer. However, breast cancer facts show that exercise can prevent breast cancer, or at least aid in the process of fighting cancer cells. The key lies with the body mass index or BMI. Exercise makes the body lose fat and burn calories, thus lowering the BMI and reducing the risk of breast cancer. Another way exercise helps is by delaying a woman’s menstruation and lowering her exposure to estrogen.

Getting breast cancer facts and facts in general about preventing cancer is the first step. With regard to prevention the exercise way, a woman should strive to take 10,000 steps a day, which would be around five miles. You can buy a pedometer to measure how many steps you take. The body mass index should be between 18.5 and 25 in order for your body to fight against breast cancer.

Throughout the day, look for ways that you can take extra steps. Use the stairs instead of the elevator. Park a distance from work, or park at the far end of the parking lot when you go shopping, and walk the extra distance.

You can encourage your daughters to beat cancer cells by having them begin exercising early. This can postpone their period and expose them to less estrogen. They can play sports at school or join a gym with their friends. Teach them that exercise can prevent breast cancer and get them excited about doing it.

A better way to teach your children that exercise can prevent breast cancer is by exercising faithfully yourself. Shoot for those 10,000 steps every day and see how much fat you can lose and how many calories you can burn off.

So you’ve heard about the amazing health benefits of phytoestrogens, especially for menopausal women whose bodies are short on estrogen. Plant-based compounds that act like estrogen in the body, called phytoestrogens, can relieve symptoms of menopause and may even help protect against breast cancer. But there have also been studies indicating that soy, a primary source of phytoestrogens, could possibly promote tumor growth in women at higher risk for breast cancer or with a history of the disease.

What are the breast cancer facts, then, relating to phytoestrogens? Studies performed on American women have shown a breast cancer risk six times that of Asian women who typically consume diets high in soy phytoestrogen. When Asian women migrate to the U.S. their risk increases. Many American women have taken this as a sign that upping their phytoestrogen intake will protect them from breast cancer. New research from the Netherlands indicates that this is not the case, but this research focused on women consuming phytoestrogen from fruits, nuts, grains, and seeds, not the soy and flaxseed that makes up much of an Asian’s diet.

Studies are somewhat contradictory, but it’s important to keep in mind that there are many other differences between the typical American and Asian woman, including exercise, time of menstruation, vegetable intake, overall calorie consumption, and body type. Since the effect of phytoestrogens on female hormones needs more study before a final determination can be made, be sure to discuss the possible pros and cons of increasing your phytoestrogen consumption. And it’s always a good idea to discuss breast cancer facts with your doctor when female hormones begin declining at the menopause stage in life.

According to the breast cancer facts, one out of every eight women faces the risk of breast cancer in their lifetime. Although the genetics of your body cannot be changed, there are three changes that you can be made to your lifestyle that will lower your risk of breast cancer.

Step 1

Eat a low fat diet that includes lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Do your best to make sure they are pesticide free. Don’t drink alcohol. Women who don’t drink have less breast cancer.

Step 2

Exercise and maintain your weight. Walk and walk and walk. Studies have found that women who walk three hours per week reduce their risk of breast cancer by 18 percent. Lose any excess weight you may be carrying. Studies show that women who gain excess weight after menopause increase their risk of breast cancer by 50 percent. Did you know that women who gain their weight around the waist instead of in their hips and thighs have a higher rate of breast cancer? Include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. Do your best to make sure they are pesticide free.

Step 3

Avoid hormone replacement therapy if at all possible. Taking estrogen and progesterone at the same time can raise your risk of breast cancer.

It is possible that cancer cells can be lurking in the body of any healthy person without them knowing it. However, by taking these three steps to prevent cancer, you can considerably lower your risk of breast cancer.

Studies show that a well defined link exists between obesity and breast cancer risk in women. Along with those studies, in general, it has been shown that obesity lowers the life expectancy of any person. Add physical inactivity to obesity and it accounts for 25 to 30 percent of breast cancer cases.

People who are already overweight are encouraged to lower their weight through proper exercise and a healthy diet with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Even losing 5 to 10 percent of the total weight can lower the risk of breast cancer. As always, it’s also a good idea to get breast cancer facts when dealing with the problem of breast cancer.

In 2001, breast cancer facts showed that obese, postmenopausal women were more likely to have breast cancer than pre-menopausal obese women. In fact, the study showed that before menopause, women who were not considered overweight were at greater risk of breast cancer than those who were obese.

Scientists and doctors believe that between 11,000 and 18,000 deaths per year from breast cancer in women over 50 could be avoided if women would keep their body mass index under 25 during their entire adult lives.

Interestingly enough, obesity and breast cancer risk appears to increase only among women who don’t use menopausal hormones after menopause. There is no difference in the risk of breast cancer between women who are obese and those of a normal weight that do use menopausal hormones.

Scientists believe that the increased levels of estrogen in women who are obese increases the risk of developing breast cancer and dying from it after menopause. Obesity and breast cancer risk are definitely a greater problem for post menopausal women.

• Past breast cancer resolution
• Top 10 breast cancer myths (including one that may be in question) and the breast cancer facts that debunk them
• Additional myths to keep the reader thinking and to promote breast cancer awareness
• The idea of breast cancer chemotherapy

Breast cancer is a sneaky enemy. It can hide is the smallest of places where sometimes even a mammogram can’t find it. It can appear as part of the normal texture and quietly grow. Not enough research was done in the past, so doctors chose to just hack off a breast to get rid of the problem. It has been said that it the doctors doing the research were women, that radical course of treatment would not have been the most popular. More and more women are having mammograms done each year. Still, there are the uninsured and the unaware that base their belief that they won’t get breast cancer on myths and stories. If you are a woman or have a sister, mother, aunt or grandmother: You need to read the top ten myths of breast cancer as part of your breast cancer awareness.

1} Only women with a family history of breast cancer need to be concerned.

This is one of the biggest breast cancer myths. Approximately 70 percent of the women diagnosed with breast cancer do not have any identifiable risk factors. However, having one first-degree relative (a parent, sibling or child) that had breast cancer gives you an approximate double risk factor. If you have two or more fist-degree relatives with the disease, you are now in the increased risk area.

2} I am too young to get breast cancer

While the percentages of women under 35 are small, the potential is still there. The risk factors increase as you age. It’s important to maintain correct information and get the right breast cancer facts.

3} Wearing an underwire bra will increase my chances of getting breast cancer

This is considered to be one of the urban breast cancer myths. There were claims that underwire bras compress the lymphatic system of the breast causing toxins to accumulate. These claims have been debunked as unscientific. The consensus is that neither the type of bra worn nor the tightness has any connection to breast cancer risk.

4} Most breast lumps are cancerous

Approximately 80 percent of the breast lumps found is caused by benign changes, cysts and other conditions. Doctors recommend that any breast change should be reported. Your physician may request a mammogram, ultrasound or biopsy to determine if the change is cancerous.

5} Exposing a tumor to the air during surgery causes cancer to spread

As far as scientists can tell from research done so far, surgery doesn’t cause cancer to spread. Surgery may expose the fact that cancer is more widespread more than previously thought. Although not found in humans, some animal studies have shown that removing the primary tumor has allowed some metastatic cancers to grow.

6} Breast implants can raise your cancer risk

Women with breast implants do not have any higher risk factors than other women. There have been other problems associated with breast implants, including implant rupture and silicone leakage.

7} All women have a one in eight chance of getting breast cancer

A major part of breast cancer awareness is getting at the truth. While your chance of getting breast cancer increases as you get older, a woman’s risk factor is about 1 in 233 by the age of 30 and 1 in 8 by the time she has reached 80. Approximately 5 percent to 10 percent of the roughly 200,000 American women diagnosed with breast cancer each year have an inherited gene mutation (BRCA-1 and BRCA-2) that puts them at higher risk for developing the disease. Today’s treatments can vary from a minor lumpectomy to full treatment including breast cancer chemotherapy.

8} Using antiperspirant increases your chances of getting breast cancer

Although the American Cancer Society has indicated this is not so, they admit that more research needs to be done in this area. One small study did find traces of parabens in tiny breast cancer tumor sample. Parabens are used as preservatives in some antiperspirants and have weak estrogen-like properties. The study could not correlate any connection between the parabens and breast cancer nor identify the source of the parabens. This is a bit of a controversial topic. According to the Natural Medicine website: “Aluminum, a common ingredient in deodorant and antiperspirant, is often linked to Alzheimer’s and brain disorders and is a possible risk factor in breast cancer.”

9} Small-breasted women have less chance of getting cancer

There is no link between the size of a woman’s breast and the risk of getting breast cancer. Larger breasts may be more difficult to examine using clinical breast exams. All women, no matter what the breast size, should have medical examinations.

10} Breast cancer is always in a lump form

While a lump may indicate breast cancer, it can also be one of the many benign breast conditions. Women should pay attention to any breast change including: swelling, breast or nipple pain, dimpling or skin irritation, nipple retraction (turning inward), scaling or thickening of the breast area, redness or discharge from the nipple other than milk. Mammograms may detect cancer that had no symptom at all. Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare type that doesn’t include a lump. Symptoms include: swelling, redness, itchiness, warmth of the breast, tenderness and pain, skin that appears thick and pitted (like an orange peel) or with ridges and small bumps, a breast area that appears bruised or swollen lymph nodes under the arm.

It is astounding that our society has shared so little true information and yet spreads a wealth of breast cancer myths. Misinformation abounds. For example, did you know that you can get breast cancer after a mastectomy? Men also get breast cancer. There is no correlation between caffeine and breast cancer. Some women have fibrocystic (lumpy) breasts and have no higher risk for cancer. Mammograms do not expose you to a higher risk factor for cancer.

If you are ever in question about a breast change, always seek counseling from your medical provider.

• Metastatic pancreatic cancer is the cancer of the pancreas that spreads and travels to the lymphatic system. The malignant pancreas tumor metastasizes and spreads
• An inflamed pancreas usually as insufficient pancreas enzymes that can cause cancer of the pancreas
• As with all cancers there are causes that put people at a higher risk than others. These causes will be addressed in this article
• There are also a number of treatments for metastatic pancreatic cancer that will be discussed. Below are the known causes and effective treatments for metastatic pancreatic cancer

While there are no known preventative measures that exist, overall health does play a huge factor in the possibilities of acquiring cancer of the pancreas. The more in shape you are and the better health you are in, the less likely you are to develop an inflamed pancreas let along cancer of the pancreas.

Risk factors can be lessened by eliminating the known risk factors for pancreas cancer. Some of the more common causes or risk factors include the following:

1. Smoking

Smoking weakens the immune system and makes you more susceptible to illness and disease; this includes metastatic pancreatic cancer as well as a pancreas tumor. Smoking can also cause more susceptibility to an inflamed pancreas. This is usually caused by insufficient pancreas enzymes that can cause cancer of the pancreas. A pancreas tumor is also more likely to occur in people who smoke versus non-smokers.

2. Excessive alcohol intake

Alcohol drinking is hard on your pancreas. All alcohol consumption should be stopped immediately if you experience any symptoms of a metastatic pancreatic cancer. Alcohol is difficult on the pancreas and if you have cancer of the pancreas, alcohol use should be stopped altogether and immediately. If you have been diagnosed with a pancreas tumor, it is important to immediately stop drinking.

3. Excessive caffeine

It is not too late to adapt to a healthy lifestyle. Eliminating alcohol, tobacco and caffeine can decrease the risk of developing a pancreas tumor associated with pancreas cancer. Caffeine is hard on the system and causes the pancreas to work over time. An inflamed pancreas needs to work less and rest more. Caffeine should be consumed in moderation. Too much caffeine can cause not only pancreas problems but liver and stomach issues.

Treatment for metastatic pancreatic cancer involves the following and depends primarily on the extent of the cancer:

1. Localized

When the cancer is completely localized and confined within the pancreas, localized treatment is required. Surgery is often recommended to remove the cancer and elevate the sufficiency of the pancreas enzymes.

2. Advanced Localized

When the cancer has spread slightly from the pancreas to adjacent blood vessels and nearby organs advanced localized treatment is required. For the locally advanced cancer that surgery can take care of, chemotherapy accompanied with radiation is necessary and often recommended by the health care professional. Chemotherapy is almost always used when the cancer of the pancreas is locally advanced.

3. Metastatic

When the cancer has spread outside the pancreas and into other parts of the body, the treatment required is metastatic. When the cancer is metastatic a combination of chemotherapy and radiation is necessary.

• While there is no single way to prevent bile duct cancer there are certain measures you can take to lessen the risk you have to bile duct cancer symptoms
• Bile duct cancer symptoms may be similar to that of a blocked bile duct or even bile duct disease, and prevention tips are helpful for the overall health of your bile duct
• Whether you have gallbladder polyps that are benign in nature or full blown extrahepatic bile duct cancer, there are ways to lessen the symptoms and care for yourself
• Bile duct cancer can be less of a risk in your life if you pay attention to your health and adapt a better lifestyle. By eliminating the use of alcohol, caffeine and fatty foods your are more likely to live longer and healthier

Below is a list of bile duct cancer prevention tips that greatly reduce the risk of bile duct cancer symptoms associated with bile duct disease.

1. Maintain a healthy body weight

Losing weight goes along with living a healthy lifestyle. Obesity kills and it is important to remember that extra weight is hard on your organs, including your pancreas. To reduce the risk of bile duct cancer as well as bile duct disease, a healthy body weight is crucial. A blocked bile duct can be caused from eating poor foods rich in fatty acids. This blockage can cause bile duct disease and make you more prone to bile duct cancer symptoms.

2. Avoid smoking

Smoking is not good for you no matter how you look at it. If it doesn’t cause lung cancer it will cause something negative in your life. A recent study showed that gallbladder polyps developed more in smokers than in non-smokers. Smoking can also decrease your immune system and make it weak. If you have been diagnosed with pancreas cancer it is important to stop smoking right away. Your doctor can assist you in the best and easiest ways to stop smoking.

3. Limit alcohol use

Alcohol drinking is hard on your pancreas. All alcohol consumption should be stopped immediately if you experience any symptoms of a blocked bile duct. Alcohol is hard on the pancreas and if you have bile duct cancer, alcohol use should be stopped altogether and immediately. If you have been diagnosed with extrahepatic bile duct cancer, it is important to immediately stop drinking.

4. Live a healthy lifestyle

It is not too late to adapt or adopt a healthy lifestyle. Eliminating alcohol, tobacco and caffeine can decrease the risk of developing extrahepatic bile duct cancer.

5. Avoid caffeine

It is not too late to adapt to a healthy lifestyle. Eliminating alcohol, tobacco and caffeine can decrease the risk of developing bile duct cancer. Caffeine is hard on the system and causes the pancreas to work over time. An inflamed pancreas needs to work less and rest more. Caffeine should be consumed in moderation. Too much caffeine can cause not only pancreas problems but liver and stomach issues.

• Metastatic breast cancer definition
• Treatment history and breast cancer facts
• Analysis and problems with treatment. Newer treatments
• Latest detection treatment and breast cancer awareness

Metastasis is the process by which cancer spreads from the place at which it first arose as a primary tumor to distant locations in the body. Breast cancer metastasis is a tricky business to test for early prediction. According to the British Journal of Cancer, “metastasis is important for systemic tumor expansion, it is a highly inefficient process, with millions of cells being required to disseminate to allow for the selection of cells aggressive enough to survive the metastatic cascade.” With all of the new technologies, how are we advancing from the historical test process to new procedures for early detection and recovery? Here are some breast cancer facts that you might want to know in your search for breast cancer awareness:

Metastatic breast cancer or breast cancer metastasis is a cancer that has spread to different parts of the body, and is now considered to be systemic. There are many types of breast cancer and medical treatment for a metastasized cancer is to address the whole body rather than a specific location. This medical treatment usually involves chemotherapy and/or hormonal therapy.

History:

Over a century ago, a study was done called the ’seed and soil’ hypothesis and has endured up to this day, largely confirmed through both clinical and laboratory observations. Not only must the ’soil’, the target organ, harbor a viable niche that can permit, if not facilitate, the initial survival of extravasated cancer cells, but the ’seeds’ – these extravasated cancer cells – must also have developed the molecular capabilities to effectively colonize the soil.

Traditionally, surgeons conduct a sentinel lymph node biopsy by removing less than 5 percent of the lymph node during an intra-operative halt in the surgery. The small node section is then frozen and examined under a microscope for the presence of cancer cells. If cancer cells are found in the nodes, the surgeon will typically remove these lymph nodes during the biopsy procedure.

Biopsies and Testing

A 2003 study based on a breast cancer-specific antigen, TPS (tissue polypeptide-specific antigen). The study was to evaluate the association between biomarkers and breast cancer as well as lymph node metastatic status. The conclusion was that TPS may be useful in the detection of primary breast cancer.

A new molecular assay test improves the accuracy of finding breast cancer metastasis in the lymph nodes during a sentinel lymph node biopsy, according to results presented by researchers at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

Results of the study showed that the GeneSearch BLN Assay test, developed by Veridex LLC and approved by the FDA in mid-July, is about 10 percent more sensitive than traditional histology and microscopic exams in finding evidence of tumor cells during a sentinel lymph node biopsy. One of the challenges of the sentinel lymph node biopsy is that a pathologic examination of the lymph nodes must be done during a halt in the surgery to assess whether there is a tumor in the sentinel nodes. All too often the results of this assessment are inaccurate, requiring the patient to undergo the physical and emotional stress of yet another surgical procedure to remove the cancerous lymph nodes.

The GeneSearch molecular assay test, which the FDA approved as a replacement for the standard frozen section method of examining the sentinel lymph nodes during a biopsy, is an ultra-rapid method of doing a genetic screening test to look for evidence of tumor cells in the lymph nodes during the intra-operative halt in the surgery. Researchers reported that this new technique is more sensitive than frozen section, without sacrificing specificity.

Newest Testing

The key to finding breast cancer metastasis if it exists is early breast cancer detection, period. This relies solely on your breast cancer awareness and collecting breast cancer facts. There is a new test that has been developed that takes about 5 minutes and is not very expensive. It’s called the ‘Halo Breast Pap Test’ and can be done at the doctor’s office. The machine that is used for the test is very similar to a breast pump. Fluid is extracted from the milk ducts, where most breast cancers originate. If there is fluid obtained, it is sent away for testing. If no fluid is obtained, then it’s a negative test. A woman with abnormal cells is four to five times more likely to develop breast cancer. This test will give the advantage of finding abnormalities four to fives years prior to the calcification showing up in a mammogram.

Most women with metastatic breast cancer will be treated with several different types of therapy over the course of their disease. Over time, cancer cells become resistant to a treatment, and will begin to grow. When this happens, a change in treatment is needed. Unlike many other types of cancer, breast cancer cells can be controlled by many different types of chemotherapy, and women with metastatic breast cancer are living longer and longer. Hopefully with further research, women will no longer die of this disease in the future.

While early detection testing procedures for breast cancer have progressed, it has taken the medical industry too long to go from the cut-and-hack process to now. It has only been in the last twenty years that more serious studies have been made. It has also been said that if this were a predominately male disease, more money, effort and in-depth study would have been invested, a long time ago.

• New breast cancer information and breast cancer facts
• Controversial statistics based on race
• Controversial study on HRT
• Breast cancer chemotherapy

October, 2009 brings the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month to a celebration of its 25th anniversary: bringing awareness, education and empowerment. Great strides have been made over the years, with the need to continue research and breast awareness in women on a global level. Here are some breast cancer facts that you might find interesting.

1} The origin of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The first NBCAM program took place in October 1985 as a week-long event to fill an information void in public communication about breast cancer. The founding members of the Board of Sponsors, the American Academy of Family Physicians, AstraZeneca Healthcare Foundation and CancerCare, Inc., distributed brochures, spoke to news reporters, and testified before a U.S. Congressional committee about the crucial need for widespread access to mammography. The goal is to spread the information around the world on breast cancer awareness.

2} U.S. ranks high on cancer care, lowest on diabetes treatment

According to Kristen Gerencher’s Health Matters section on the Market Watch website: “If you’re going to get breast cancer, your chances of being alive five years later are best in the United States, where 90.5% of the patients make it to that benchmark. Canada, Japan and France are the next best places, statistically speaking, to fight the disease.’ ‘But the U.S. drops to the bottom when looking at benchmarks for two common chronic conditions, diabetes and asthma.”

3} Breast cancer death rates continue to drop 2% annually: if you are a white woman

The American Cancer Society report entitled ‘Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2009-2010’ indicates deaths from breast cancer have dropped more than 2 percent each year since 1990. And in the past decade that decline in deaths has been shared by black, Hispanic and white women. But black women still have a 40 percent higher death rate from breast cancer than white women.

4} Social isolation adversely affects breast cancer

A study done by Dr. Suzanne D. Conzen, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Chicago and the study’s lead author was published in the October issue of Cancer Prevention Research has shown that a socially isolated, stressful environment can speed up the growth of breast cancer in animal models. Conzen and her colleagues randomly assigned mice that were genetically susceptible to breast cancer to live either in isolation or in group housing. The outcome showed that social isolation can actually change the expression of genes important in the growth of mammary gland tumors.

5} More women having other breast removed

Researchers, led by Dr. Stephen B. Edge, director of the Breast Center at the Rosewell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY. Published a study Sept. 28th in ‘Cancer’. They set out to determine how often women elected to undergo prophylactic mastectomy in New York between 1995 and 2005. Prophylactic removal of a non-cancerous breast or the ovaries and anti-estrogen therapy can reduce a woman’s risk for developing breast cancer. The study indicated that there is little evidence that this practice is beneficial in terms of improving survival.

6} Timing and type of HRT may determine breast cancer risk

The Sept. 14th on line issue of Journal of Clinical Oncology indicates that the results of a study, the researchers have concluded that overall, starting estrogen-progestagen therapy soon after menopause appears to boost the risk of breast cancer, even when only used for short periods of time. Women who began the therapy in the three years after menopause and took it for two years or less had a 54 percent higher risk of breast cancer compared to those who never used the therapy. However, they found an exception. The 54% increase in risk is an average, but doesn’t seem to apply to estrogen-progesterone menopausal hormone therapy, for which no risk was observed when used two years or less, even close to menopause. The outstanding questions on this study are: why didn’t their studies include bio-identical hormone replacement? (BHRT) and, was there any sponsor for this study?

7} Early form of breast cancer may need new name

The word carcinoma brings shivers down most peoples back. When used in the same paragraph as breast cancer chemotherapy – it is enough to keep women from getting themselves checked. That’s why a common, nonmalignant tumor of the breast called ductal carcinoma in-situ or DCIS may need a name change. A U.S. panel of independent experts, including Dr. Susan Reed of the University of Washington School of Medicine, for the National Institutes of Health was asked to look into whether too many women are being treated too aggressively for a condition that is poorly understood. They said the term carcinoma creates a lot of worry in women who fear they will develop cancer, even though long-term survival rates for DCIS are excellent, approaching 100 percent. Not all panel members think it’s a good idea as some feel that DCIS may be a precursor to cancer.

8} Heat helps in cancer treatment

German researchers looking at cancers in soft tissues such as muscle, fat and tissue around the joints, found that heat treatment more than doubled the proportion of patients whose tumors responded to breast cancer chemotherapy. The finding suggests it may be possible to cut the dose of chemotherapy drugs by using heat, although more research is needed to establish this.

9} A unique cancer profile emerges for Hispanics; interesting breast cancer facts

The new detailed look at cancer incidence is from Cancer Facts & Figures for Hispanics/Latinos 2009-2011, a report released Sept. 15 that’s published every three years by the American Cancer Society. Hispanics in the United States are less likely to die from cancer than non-Hispanic whites, but they have higher rates of cancers linked to infections, including stomach, liver and cervix malignancies, a new report says. At first glance, Hispanics’ lower death rate from cancer seems to be good news, but one explanation is that the Hispanic population skews younger than the general U.S. population. Cancer risk rises with age.

10} Scientists spot clue to cancer’s aggressiveness

The Sept. 6th online issue of Nature Medicine reports that researchers say they have gained insight into whether certain aggressive cancers — including those that attack the pancreas, breast and skin — will respond to a certain anti-cancer drug. The key appears to lie in a molecular signature inside tumors. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, found that a receptor on the surface of some tumor cells can start a process that leads cells to become more aggressive. An anti-cancer drug called dasatinib (Sprycel), approved for treating a form of leukemia, blocks the process.

• Side effects are common with the use of many chemotherapy drugs. Whether patients are undergoing mild Doxil chemotherapy or heavy treatments of Cisplatin chemotherapy side effects should be expected but can be dealt with to make therapy less intrusive
• Patients undergoing Taxotere chemotherapy and Colorectal chemotherapy should expect to experience some of the more common side effects caused by chemotherapy treatment
• Anemia is one of the more common side effect of chemotherapy and can be seen in patients undergoing Adjuvant chemotherapy and even Mesothelioma chemotherapy
• With all chemotherapy drugs, even Adriamycin chemotherapy, side effects will occur, but do not have to stop life from going on. It is important to be aware of the possibilities but have hope that the side effects will not last forever

1. Increased chance of infection

One of the possible side effects of chemotherapy that can occur in patients undergoing Cisplatin chemotherapy is an increased chance of infection in the body. When the body is weakened by harsh chemotherapy drugs that are doing their job to battle the disease, infection can occur. As with the use of Cisplatin, the production of white blood cells in the bone marrow can be reduced considerably causing an increased likelihood of infection.

2. Anemia

Anemia is just one of the many side effects of chemotherapy that patients can experience. Chemotherapy drugs can be hard on the system and cause blood cell counts to lower which then leads to anemia.

3. Increased bleeding and bruising

Some chemotherapy drugs can also reduce the platelet production in the body. Platelets are the body’s mechanism for blood clotting. When platelet levels decrease unexplained bleeding and bruising may occur.

4. Hair loss

One of the more unfortunate side effects of chemotherapy is hair loss. Hair loss with Doxil chemotherapy is mild and only occurs in approximately 19% of patients using these chemotherapy drugs. Hair loss can be prevented if patients utilize a cooling cap. The scalp cooling technique can reduce the blood flow and the levels of the drug reaching the scalp thus preventing hair loss. This technique only works with certain types of chemotherapy drugs.

5. Nausea and vomiting

Adriamycin chemotherapy can cause significant nausea and vomiting upon administering. Not all chemotherapy drugs cause sickness and some patients do not experience any nausea or vomiting. Taxotere chemotherapy is a strong therapy treatment that can cause significant side effects including diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Ginger can be taken in teas and biscuits which will reduce nausea feelings and symptoms. Peppermints or teas containing peppermint can also be useful in the elimination of nausea sensations.

6. Loss of appetite and weight loss

Some chemotherapy drugs like Mesothelioma chemotherapy can cause significant loss of appetite and even weight loss. Since chemotherapy can also affect your sense of taste, it is thought that this factor can affect your appetite. If appetite is low, it is important to consult with your physician for weight monitoring. Eating several small snacks or meals throughout the day can help in preventing weight loss.

7. Tiredness and fatigue

Some patients experience fatigue and excessive tiredness during chemotherapy treatment like colorectal chemotherapy. Although doctors confess that this symptom is quite normal it can be hard on the patient who has otherwise been active and full of energy. It is important to recognize that although chemotherapy drugs like adjuvant chemotherapy may cause fatigue, the tiredness will eventually wear off once treatment has ended. It has been reported that normalcy can take as little as three months or as long as one year after the halt of chemotherapy drugs.