Orientation dinners for new cancer patients

Don't forget! Tomorrow night is the first Survivorship dinner of 2011 in Centralia.

Cancer patients and a guest are invited to a complimentary dinner sponsored by the Providence Regional Cancer System.

Cancer experts will share what to expect – from diagnosis to treatment and beyond. You'll also have a chance to ask questions, and you'll receive materials to help navigate the path ahead.

Non-Providence patients are welcome, too.

Dinners will be held from 6-8 p.m.

To RSVP, call 360.827.8589 or register online or visit www.provcancer.org

Upcoming Events

• Feb. 17 – Lewis County Cancer Center
• April 5 – Providence St. Peter Hospital
• June 7 - Providence St. Peter Hospital
• June 16 - Lewis County Cancer Center

Need directions for tomorrow night? Click here  >>

Cancer and Your Diet: The Hidden Connection

Editor's Note: This article is posted on behalf of Dr. Sarah A. Samaan, MD, FACC who will be speaking Feb. 24, 6 p.m. on "Heart Health for women on the go" you can register online or call 493.7768.

Most of us are well aware of the link between diet and heart health, but the connection between cancer and diet is not as well defined. Over the past 10 years, nutritional research has made great progress, and as a cardiologist, I have been pleasantly surprised to learn that many of the foods and habits that promote heart health also reduce our risk for cancer recurrence.

The Mediterranean diet has received the most attention, and for good reason. With its emphasis on whole grains, fruits, green leafy vegetables, garlic, aromatic herbs, olive oil, and fish, this diet is associated with a 33%- 70% lower risk for heart disease, compared with a traditional Western diet.

One study from the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston analyzed the diets of more than 1,000 patients with stage 3 colon cancer. They found that those patients who consumed high-fat, high sugar diets were three and a half times more likely to see a recurrence of cancer. View Study.

The traditional Mediterranean diet is high in fish and includes only small amounts of red meat from free-range animals. Additionally, the high fiber, low sugar aspect of the diet appears to have some protective qualities against depression, inflammation, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and obesity. Source.

The best thing about the Mediterranean diet is that it is delicious and accessible. You can keep it as simple as grilled salmon with a tomato salad drizzled in olive oil and sprinkled with basil leaves, or you can make it as complex as your culinary heart desires.

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Combating end-of-treatment stress

Editor's Note: We will continue with Part 3 of the clinical trial series tomorrow.

Greetings from Austin, Texas - - Home of the Longhorns! I hope someone is knitting some horn mittens for the Lone Star cows: It is “19 degrees but feels like 10.” Given the horrific weather and travel hazards in most parts of the country, I am grateful to have arrived safely. The chill was only fleeting, for I am surrounded by hundreds of colleagues from across the United States who share my passion for cancer survivorship advocacy. (I am also hoping some authentic Tex-Mex chow will be warming.)

Austin is home to the LIVESTRONG, Lance Armstrong Foundation headquarters and I am here for a conference on the “Cancer Transitions™: Moving Beyond Treatment” grant awarded to Providence Regional Cancer System (thanks to the thousands of votes we received in the online challenge – thank you!). Conference attendees are also invited to the first ever LIVESTRONG “State of the Foundation."

When patients end treatment, they often report feeling lost, abandoned, and unsure of what to feel and do next. End-of-treatment stress is often unexpected because patients anticipate feeling relief when active treatment ends and hoping they can “get back to their lives.” The transition from cancer patient to cancer survivor can be very challenging.

Here's what LIVESTRONG says about Cancer Transitions™

Cancer Transitions™ is a program designed to support, educate and empower people with cancer in the transitional period after treatment is over. This program features written materials as well as interactive components to address the long-term effects of cancer treatment, as well as survivors' psychosocial needs during their transition to life after treatment. The evidence-based program was created with recognized experts in key aspects of cancer survivorship, incorporating information from peer-reviewed literature. Research shows that both men and women who participate can experience:

• Less worry about the negative impacts of cancer
• Better physical and social functioning
• More commitment to physical activity
• Improvements in fat-related dietary habits.

The six-week series incorporates support groups, education, nutrition and physical exercise, as well as addressing other medical management, psychosocial and quality of life issues. The program also provides survivors with practical tools and resources to formulate a personal action plan for survivorship beyond their participation in Cancer Transitions.

Up to 20 participants meet for a 2 1/2 hour session each week to hear presentations from experts, engage in group discussion, and directly address the emotional and social hurdles they face during the transition period following treatment. The program also offers a “booster” session held one month after the program ends, to reinforce many of the proactive behavioral changes discussed during the core program. Men and women who wish to better manage the short and long-term impacts of cancer— especially within the first 24 months after treatment will gain valuable skills through this program. Providence Regional Cancer System plans on offering the Cancer Transitions™ series twice in 2011, spring and fall sessions. There is no cost to participate in this program! Dates and other details will be coming in the next few weeks.

The last (and only other time) I was in Texas was in 1985 at a Houston conference when I was a graduate student. I presented a paper on how hypnosis and other relaxation methods could help chemotherapy patients who were experiencing nausea. No one was talking about Cancer Survivorship. We were just starting to pay attention to how we could better help patients deal with treatment side effects. The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS), National Breast Cancer Coalition, LIVESTRONG, Lance Armstrong Foundation and other organizations did not exist yet. I know we have a long way to go, but tremendous gains have been made in the past 25 years.

I feel privileged to be witnessing the evolution of truly comprehensive care for cancer patients and their families from diagnosis through treatment and beyond. And I feel especially privileged to work with the Providence Regional Cancer System as we grow our survivorship services: Cancer Survivor Blog, New Patient Orientations, Living with and Beyond Cancer evenings, Harmony & Hope event, Integrative Care Services, support groups, an inaugural Survivorship Day in June (details coming in the spring!), and now the Cancer Transitions Program! I look forward to sharing more details about this new program in the next few days from Austin and am happy to answer any questions you post.

Free resource: Living with and beyond cancer

Cancer can take a toll physically. It can also shake up emotions, relationships, spiritual beliefs, finances and more.

Providence Regional Cancer System invites you to a free information session to help you cope with the many aspects of cancer.

Cobie Whitten, PhD, has extensive experience working with cancer patients. As the session leader, she'll provide information, resources and support for all people at all points along the cancer journey.

Patients, family members and friends are all welcome.

Mark your calendars! All events run from 6:30-8 p.m.

• Wed. March 16, Mason General Hospital
• Tues. May 10, PRCS - Centralia
• Wed. June 15, PRCS - Lacey
• Wed. Sept. 14,  Mason General Hospital
• Wed. Nov. 9, PRCS - Centralia
• Wed. Dec. 7, PRCS - Lacey

Already know you can't make it but have a question? Consider submitting a question for a future blog topic!

Look Good...Feel Better

Makeup is as old as the pyramids—literally. Archaeologists have found makeup jars in the Egyptian tombs, and of course, one look at the tomb painting reveals the heavy appreciation for eye liner both men and women seemed to have.

Chalk was used in Roman times to whiten complexions and women in Elizabethan England wore egg whites on their faces to provide some shine. Even the Victorians, who believed makeup was for those of ill-repute, used natural products of oatmeal and honey to cleanse their face.

Regardless of how or why you use makeup or keep your face clean it’s hard not to argue, when we look good we feel better!

The Look Good…Feel Better was developed in 1989 (read the full story here) and is both non-medical and brand neutral. Those who come receive a free kit with everything you need to cleanse, tone, moisturize, blot, dab and apply products for your face.

Some things we learned in the most recent class at Providence Regional Cancer System, Lacey, taught by Madelin KolbWhite, owner of Merle Norman Cosmetics and Look Good…Feel Better Instructor for over 20 years.

• Cleanse your face twice a day … did you know the average household collects 40 pounds of dust a year?
• Always follow your cleanser with a toner. Toner removes the residue left behind with cleanser. Madelin did a test in her store and found that you would have to rinse your face 37 times in order to accomplish what toner does in 1 swipe.
• Once you open and use mascara you must throw it away in 3-4 months, regardless of whether it’s finished as it is growing bacteria.
• If your under eye is purple use a concealer with a yellow base, if it’s red use a concealer with a green base (but careful, using to much could make you look grey).
• If you are going through chemotherapy do not stay in the sun for more than a few minutes, always wear sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher (even in the Pacific Northwest!)

Want more? Check out Look Good…Feel Better’s brand new re-designed website which includes:

• 12-Step Beauty Guide
• Hair and wig tips
• Video Library
• Online makeover application

Want to find a class near you? They are offered through all three of our PRCS locations in Aberdeen, Centralia and Lacey. To register today call 1.800.227.2345.  

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