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With summer coming, how concerned should you be about melanoma?
Read full article: With summer coming, how concerned should you be about melanoma?With the calendar hitting May and summer quickly approaching, that means sales of sunscreen will be ratcheting up with beach weather hitting its peak season.
Mistakes to avoid in reconstruction after fighting breast cancer
Read full article: Mistakes to avoid in reconstruction after fighting breast cancerStudy: Half of Patients Make Poor Decisions About Breast ReconstructionSurprising number of mastectomy patients are uninformed about their reconstruction choices(Columbus, Ohio) – After receiving a devastating breast cancer diagnosis, women have a lot of tough decisions to make about treatment options. Those who choose to have a mastectomy then face another difficult decision: whether or not to have breast reconstruction surgery. A new study finds that an surprising number of women aren’t making decisions that balance medical knowledge with personal outcomes preferences. “Surprisingly, we found that 57 percent of women did not make a high-quality decision.”Dr. Lee and her team issued questionnaires to women before they had surgery and asked general knowledge questions about breast reconstruction. “Knowledge about complications was shockingly low at an average of 14 percent in the whole group,” said Dr. Lee.
Cancer caregivers, don't forget to take care of yourself
Read full article: Cancer caregivers, don't forget to take care of yourselfBy Mayo Clinic News NetworkIf you're a caregiver for a person who is going through cancer treatment, you're probably giving your all to them as they endure it. It's so essential for the person living with cancer to take the time to heal their body and recover. However, if you're the caregiver, it’s also important to take care of yourself. Taking care of yourself includes nurturing both your mind and body. It may include reconnecting with what brings you energy, happiness and joy.
Yoga can benefit cancer survivors
Read full article: Yoga can benefit cancer survivorsYoga has been in the spotlight showing positive benefits for cancer survivors. One of the major concerns that cancer survivors may experience long after treatment is over is lack of energy and fatigue. When studied with a group of breast cancer survivors, those who used yoga had a decrease in blood pressure and heart rate, improved energy levels and mood. Next time you see your health care provider, ask if yoga is a safe option for you. If you have never tried yoga, begin by exploring classes offered in your health care center or community center.
Cancer survivors, keep your brain intact
Read full article: Cancer survivors, keep your brain intactBy Mayo Clinic News NetworkMany cancer survivors are living with side effects from treatment, which can cause memory loss and changes in cognition (sometimes called brain fog or chemo brain). One of the best ways to organize your thoughts is by keeping an updated calendar and task list. There are so many tools to help with this from paper calendars or organizers to applications (apps) on your smartphone or tablet. Most tools allow you to update your schedule and keep a running task list, special notes and other information such as contacts. Find ways to organize documents such as medical records, appointment information, mail and others.
Anger and cancer: How to deal with the emotions
Read full article: Anger and cancer: How to deal with the emotionsCancer is a big interruption in life — an unexpected and unwelcome interruption for everyone. The emotions you experience are also unexpected — shock, guilt, anger, fear, sadness and depression can all be part of the roller coaster ride of emotions you feel on a daily basis. Sometimes anger shows more naturally as an emotion with a young cancer survivor. As a young person dealing with a diagnosis of cancer, the life interruption seems so very unfair and unexpected for sure. The Living with Cancer blog is open to your expressions of anger — feel free to let the words flow.
Cancer survivors: care for your body after treatment
Read full article: Cancer survivors: care for your body after treatmentBy Mayo Clinic News NetworkAfter your cancer treatment, as a cancer survivor you're eager to return to good health. Here's what you can do to take care of yourself after cancer treatment. The American Cancer Society recommends adult cancer survivors exercise for at least 30 minutes five or more days a week. Many cancer survivors are concerned about cancer recurrence and want to do all they can to avoid it. Some cancer survivors think that if a small amount of vitamins is good, a large amount must be even better.
Cancer diagnosis: tips for coping
Read full article: Cancer diagnosis: tips for copingAfter your cancer diagnosis, you may feel anxious, afraid or overwhelmed and wonder how you can cope during the days ahead. Here are 11 suggestions for coping with a cancer diagnosis. Get the facts about your cancer diagnosisTry to obtain as much basic, useful information as possible about your cancer diagnosis. Keep the lines of communication openMaintain honest, two-way communication with your loved ones, doctors and others after your cancer diagnosis. Anticipate possible physical changesNow -- after your cancer diagnosis and before you begin treatment -- is the best time to plan for changes.
What is BRCA test for breast cancer?
Read full article: What is BRCA test for breast cancer?By Mayo Clinic News NetworkThe BRCA gene test is a blood test that uses DNA analysis to identify harmful changes (mutations) in either one of the two breast cancer susceptibility genes — BRCA1 and BRCA2. Women who have inherited mutations in these genes face a much higher risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer compared with the general population. The BRCA gene test is offered only to people who are likely to have an inherited mutation, based on personal or family history, or who have specific types of breast cancer. The BRCA gene test isn't routinely performed on women at average risk of breast and ovarian cancers. From a BRCA gene test, you learn whether you carry an inherited BRCA gene mutation and receive an estimate of your personal risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer.