Yoga can absolutely fit into any well-rounded cancer treatment regime. The exercise and stretching portions of yoga not only help you to feel and be well, but the conscious breathing and meditative components can help as well. , including pancreatic cancer.
Exercise, detoxification and relaxation are extremely important for the treatment of any disorder, but specifically for creating the ideal internal environment for beating cancers. Yoga is a form of exercise, that includes poses ("asanas") as well as meditative breathing and mind-states as well. The mind-body connection is often discussed when it comes to cancer, and treatments that include mind-body components (like yoga) can be extremely effective and emotionally enjoyable. Many people find a new sense of peace after beginning a comprehensive yoga practice.
Yoga can absolutely fit into any well-rounded cancer treatment regime, including pancreatic cancer.
Exercise, detoxification and relaxation are extremely important for the treatment of any disorder, but specifically for creating the ideal internal environment for beating cancers. Yoga is a form of exercise, that includes poses ("asanas") as well as meditative breathing and mind-states as well. The mind-body connection is often discussed when it comes to cancer, and treatments that include mind-body components (like yoga) can be extremely effective and emotionally enjoyable. Many people find a new sense of peace after beginning a comprehensive yoga practice.
Acupuncture can help to mitigate some of the symptoms that come with other cancer treatments (such as chemotherapy) but may also be able to help correct some underlying imbalance that are contributing to the cancer as well.
Your thinking, emotions, and mental state can have a profound influence on your body, your immune system, and quality of life as you cope with your disease. Cultivating “mind skills” will help you at any stage of pancreatic cancer.
Techniques that can settle the mind and help a patient cope with their illness include meditation, music listening, art therapy, and spiritual/devotional practices.
There are many different methods of meditation and meditation classes are widely available. Studies of brainwave patterns have shown that meditation soothes stress and fear, and helps people to become calmer and happier.
Support System during Cancer
It is also important to have a strong support system of friends and family both for practical assistance and emotional sustenance. Connecting with other cancer patients can also be very helpful. Support groups can be found through the American Cancer Society or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
A medical social worker, therapist, or clergyperson can offer additional emotional support.
Patients should also be sure to get as much information as they can about their illness, so that (together with their doctor and family) they can make the best, most informed decisions about their care and treatment. Again, the National Cancer Institute and Pancreatic Cancer Action Network are excellent sources of information.
Your thinking, emotions, and mental state can have a profound influence on your body, your immune system, and quality of life as you cope with your disease. Cultivating “mind skills” will help you at any stage of pancreatic cancer.
Techniques that can settle the mind and help a patient cope with their illness include meditation, music listening, art therapy, and spiritual/devotional practices.
There are many different methods of meditation and meditation classes are widely available. Studies of brainwave patterns have shown that meditation soothes stress and fear, and helps people to become calmer and happier.
Support System during Cancer
It is also important to have a strong support system of friends and family both for practical assistance and emotional sustenance. Connecting with other cancer patients can also be very helpful. Support groups can be found through the American Cancer Society or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
A medical social worker, therapist, or clergyperson can offer additional emotional support.
Patients should also be sure to get as much information as they can about their illness, so that (together with their doctor and family) they can make the best, most informed decisions about their care and treatment. Again, the National Cancer Institute and Pancreatic Cancer Action Network are excellent sources of information.
Even when living with disease, it is important and healthful to take exemplary care of your body. Hygiene, exercise, and nutrition all contribute to better quality of life, and improved immune resistance.
Studies show that regular exercise—even moderate exercise—can reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer by up to 50%.
If you’re a pancreatic cancer patient, physical exercise can reduce stress, improve your emotional state and help you cope with the disease. Meditation and relaxation exercises, including stretching and yoga, can also have beneficial effects.
Acupressure, a traditional Chinese medicinal method of applying pressure to certain points on the surface of the skin, can help relieve nausea after chemotherapy, as well as pain from surgery. Acupressure is also used to reduce stress and improve general energy levels.
Studies have also shown that acupuncture can be effective in alleviating chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting. Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese healing method that employs tiny needles to improve blood circulation and stimulate the body’s natural healing mechanisms. Acupuncture is also sometimes used to help control pain.
Even when living with disease, it is important and healthful to take exemplary care of your body. Hygiene, exercise, and nutrition all contribute to better quality of life, and improved immune resistance.
Studies show that regular exercise—even moderate exercise—can reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer by up to 50%.
If you’re a pancreatic cancer patient, physical exercise can reduce stress, improve your emotional state and help you cope with the disease. Meditation and relaxation exercises, including stretching and yoga, can also have beneficial effects.
Acupressure, a traditional Chinese medicinal method of applying pressure to certain points on the surface of the skin, can help relieve nausea after chemotherapy, as well as pain from surgery. Acupressure is also used to reduce stress and improve general energy levels.
Studies have also shown that acupuncture can be effective in alleviating chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting. Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese healing method that employs tiny needles to improve blood circulation and stimulate the body’s natural healing mechanisms. Acupuncture is also sometimes used to help control pain.
Proper nutrition is extremely important, both for helping to prevent disease, and during all stages of pancreatic cancer. Because pancreatic cancer and its treatments may make it difficult to digest foods, it is important to plan one’s diet carefully.
A diet high in red meat—particularly meat that has been highly processed, preserved, charcoal broiled, or grilled—apparently increases the risk of pancreatic cancer, according to research studies. Eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains could reduce one’s risk.
Pancreatic cancer and pancreatic surgery interfere with digestive enzymes, and can make normal eating difficult for some time. Therefore, patients should work with their clinical dietician to determine the best diet for them in the short term and over time. Doctors may prescribe medicines to replace some digestive enzymes.
The following foods, minerals, and nutritional supplements have been identified as having some strengthening effect in battling and/or preventing cancer:
Proper nutrition is extremely important, both for helping to prevent disease, and during all stages of pancreatic cancer. Because pancreatic cancer and its treatments may make it difficult to digest foods, it is important to plan one’s diet carefully.
A diet high in red meat—particularly meat that has been highly processed, preserved, charcoal broiled, or grilled—apparently increases the risk of pancreatic cancer, according to research studies. Eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains could reduce one’s risk.
Pancreatic cancer and pancreatic surgery interfere with digestive enzymes, and can make normal eating difficult for some time. Therefore, patients should work with their clinical dietician to determine the best diet for them in the short term and over time. Doctors may prescribe medicines to replace some digestive enzymes.
The following foods, minerals, and nutritional supplements have been identified as having some strengthening effect in battling and/or preventing cancer:
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There exists evidence that certain herbal remedies may help with treating pancreatic cancer. Though they are not (as yet) included in conventional Western treatment, the research on two of these herbs in particular has been rigorous and very impressive.
In 2008, a research team at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA reported that thymoquinone, a traditional Middle Eastern medicinal herb extracted from nigella sativa seed oil, appears to destroy pancreatic cancer cells. Researchers demonstrated that the herb caused the death of approximately 80% of the cancer cells in a human pancreatic cell line by modifying the cancer cells’ DNA.
Though studies of thymoquinone have not been widely replicated, early findings strongly suggest that the herb could have a preventive effect, as well as help patients who already have pancreatic cancer and have undergone chemotherapy and/or surgery.
A previous study, conducted in 2007 at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, found that extracts of the Indian Ayurvedic herbal remedy triphalainhibited the growth of human pancreatic cancer tumors that had been grafted onto mice, and also caused the cancer cells to die. Researchers stated that though follow-up studies will be needed to see if triphala can effectively fight pancreatic cancer in humans, their study demonstrates that the herb has potent anti-cancer properties.
Other herbs that have been reported to have some strengthening effect on the body’s response to pancreatic cancer include super miraforte and licorice root extract.
Once pancreatic cancer has spread beyond the pancreas, it is very difficult to contain. Nonetheless, there are treatments that can significantly slow the progress of the disease, and in some cases help patients to survive for several years, especially if it is caught early.
Forms of treatment for pancreatic cancer are continually tested in clinical research trials. Treatments under study include pancreatic cancer vaccines, gene therapy, biologic therapy (drugs that stimulate the immune system to fight cancer), drugs that may prevent cancer from growing new blood vessels, and monoclonal antibodies that may inhibit the cancer’s growth.
When one takes part in a clinical trial, there may be side effects and there is no guarantee that the experimental treatment will work. However, it is a way to gain access to cutting-edge treatments that may turn out to be more effective than current ones. Also, the federal government monitors these clinical trials to ensure that they are conducted as safely as possible. If you are interested in participating in a clinical study, speak to your doctor about this possibility.
Once pancreatic cancer has spread beyond the pancreas, it is very difficult to contain. Nonetheless, there are treatments that can significantly slow the progress of the disease, and in some cases help patients to survive for several years, especially if it is caught early.
Pancreatic cancer is normally treated in one or more of the following ways:
Surgery(See [Pancreatic Cancer and Surgery][1]). Surgery involves removing all or part of the cancerous tumor.
Chemotherapy(See [Pancreatic Cancer: Chemotherapy][2]). Chemotherapy involves the injection of drugs that destroy cancer cells.
Radiation therapy (See [Pancreatic Cancer: Radiation][3]). Radiation therapy employs x-rays or radioactive substances to destroy cancer cells.
Targeted drug treatment (See [Pancreatic Cancer: Drugs][4]). Certain types of special drugs may inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
Pain control procedures (See [Palliative Strategies][5]). There exist numerous ways to ease pain and improve quality of life for pancreatic cancer patients.
Also, newer forms of treatment for pancreatic cancer Forms of treatment for pancreatic cancer are continually tested in clinical research trials. Treatments under study include pancreatic cancer vaccines, gene therapy, biologic therapy (drugs that stimulate the immune system to fight cancer), drugs that may prevent cancer from growing new blood vessels, and monoclonal antibodies that may inhibit the cancer’s growth.
When one takes part in a clinical trial, there may be side effects and there is no guarantee that the experimental treatment will work. However, it is a way to gain access to cutting-edge treatments that may turn out to be more effective than current ones. Also, the federal government monitors these clinical trials to ensure that they are conducted as safely as possible. If you are interested in participating in a clinical study, speak to your doctor about this possibility.
Pancreatic cancer usually does not cause any symptoms in its early stages. By the time symptoms usually appear, the cancer has started to spread and it is more difficult to treat.
Common symptoms include:
None of these symptoms necessarily means that a patient has pancreatic cancer. All of them can be caused by a wide of conditions. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor for diagnosis.
Pancreatic cancer is a relatively rare form of cancer, and no one is certain what its underlying causes are. However, the following are considered risk factors:
Smoking. Smoking more than doubles one’s risk of pancreatic cancer. Therefore, quitting smoking may be a way of preventing the disease.
Lack of proper exercise and/or obesity. An increased risk of pancreatic cancer has also been linked to a sedentary lifestyle and being overweight. Daily exercise, and maintaining a healthy body weight, may also help to prevent pancreatic cancer.
Dietary factors. A diet high in red meat—particularly meat that has been highly processed, preserved, charcoal broiled, or grilled—apparently increases the risk of pancreatic cancer, according to research studies. Eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains could reduce the risk.
Exposure to chemicals. People who work at jobs where they are regularly exposed to pesticides, gasoline, asbestos, insecticides, or petroleum compounds may run an increased risk.
Family history. There appears to be a genetic component to pancreatic cancer. If someone in one’s immediate family has had pancreatic cancer, one’s own risk rises significantly. A family history of colon, breast, or ovarian cancer also increases ont’s risk.
Age, gender, ethnicity. Men run a higher risk than women. African Americans runner a higher risk than other ethnic groups. The majority of people who get pancreatic cancer are 60 years of age or older.
Chronic pancreatitis. Pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, is a disease condition that has been linked to an increased risk for pancreatic cancer.
The pancreas is a gland located in the lower stomach, near the liver, gall bladder, spleen, and intestines. The pancreas produces the hormone insulin, which regulates blood sugar, and it also secretes enzymes that help to break down and digest food.
The pancreas is about 6 inches in length, and has a shape like a flat pear, with a head, body, and tail.
Pancreatic cancer normally begins within the ducts that carry the pancreatic enzymes and juices out to the small intestine and the rest of the body. This condition is called adenocarcinoma. Much less often, approximately 5% of the time, pancreatic cancer will start in the hormone-producing cells within the pancreas. This is called islet cell cancer.
The pancreas is a gland located in the lower stomach, near the liver, gall bladder, spleen, and intestines. The pancreas produces the hormone insulin, which regulates blood sugar, and it also secretes enzymes that help to break down and digest food.
The pancreas is about 6 inches in length, and has a shape like a flat pear, with a head, body, and tail.
Pancreatic cancer normally begins within the ducts that carry the pancreatic enzymes and juices out to the small intestine and the rest of the body. This condition is called adenocarcinoma. Much less often, approximately 5% of the time, pancreatic cancer will start in the hormone-producing cells within the pancreas. This is called islet cell cancer.
PROGNOSIS
STAGES OF PANCREATIC CANCER
Stage 1. In Stage 1 of pancreatic cancer, the cancer cells have not spread beyond the pancreas itself. If the tumor is smaller than 2 centimeters, this is known as Stage 1A. If the tumor is larger than 2 centimeters, it is known as Stage 1B. At both Stages 1A and 1B, pancreatic cancer can often be successfully treated through surgeryor through a combination of surgery and chemotherapy.
Stage 2. At Stage 2, the cancer has spread beyond the pancreas to nearby organs and possibly to the lymph nodes. Treatment at this stage normally involves radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and/or surgery.
Stage 3. At Stage 3, cancer cells have spread to major blood vessels and possibly to the lymph nodes. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and palliative surgery may all be indicated at this stage.
Stage 4. At this stage, the cancer has spread to distant organs in the body, such as the lungs and abdominal lining. Chemotherapy, palliative surgery, nerve blocks, and other treatments for pain may be indicated.
