Cancer and pain: It's okay to ask for help

Unfortunately, pain in cancer patients is very common and affects most aspects of an individual’s life. But would it surprise you to know that cancer pain is severely under-treated in patients?

Research shows this could be for a number of reasons:

• As doctors, we sometimes focus all our energy on treating the disease and lose sight of controlling the pain along the way
• Patients often fail to talk to their doctors about their pain, falsely believing that some amount of suffering “goes with the territory”
• Patients and doctors are often hesitant to use morphine and other opiods for pain control, fearing addiction, when in reality patients being treated for cancer rarely form such an addiction.

The good news is, we believe 90% of chronic cancer pain can be treated with drug AND non-drug therapies. Source.

First and foremost, you are the only one who knows what your pain feels like. How you communicate your pain is the single most important factor in treating it.

This means, you must work with your care team to explain what is bothering you and exactly how it is bothering you. I recommend keeping a pain journal to help track anything that may be causing your discomfort. Controlling your pain is vital in maintaining your strength, emotionally and physically.

Pain can affect:

• Your sleep quality and your ability to perform daily activities
• Your mood and coping abilities
• Your relationships with others around you, including your social support system
• Your spiritual or religious beliefs

If you experience a new onset of pain, or sudden change of your chronic pain, call or see your doctor immediately.

You might also like:

• You don't have to put up with cancer-related fatigue
• Integrative care basics and what others are saying
• What is palliative care? Life-enhancing, supportive care
• Lymphedema prevention strategies

Event cancelled, prize still up for grabs!

Erin Schwantner, Public Relations Coordinator who organized the entire event stands with the fabulous basket. It could be yours!Tonight was the night, or at least it was supposed to be.

Dr. Samaan made it in to SeaTac okay but we made the command decision to cancel our Women's Heart Event scheduled for tonight. Read more here >>

But, there's no sense in letting good prizes go to waste! So we'll be giving away the basket anyway.

Included:

• "Smart Women's Guide to Heart Health" by Dr. Sarah Samaan
• "Quick and Fast Cookbook" by The American Heart Association
• "Walking for Weight Loss" DVD
• Red stainless steel water-bottle
• Mediteranean Diet Bites: extra virgin olive oil, tomato spread, whole grain pasta and salmon

Entering to win is easy, just head over to our facebook page www.facebook.com/provswsa and share your favorite heart healthy tip on our wall. (If you haven't "liked" us already you'll have to do so to leave us a message). Or if you're really ambitious share a photo of yourself wearing red.

We'll draw for the winner when there's no more snow so don't delay!

You might also like:

• Cancer and your diet: The hidden connection

Are there certain foods I should eat or avoid?

Those newly diagnosed with cancer often ask: "Are there certain foods I should eat or avoid?" Providence Integrative Cancer Care is pleased to offer a class to address the nutritional needs of the person going through cancer treatment.

There can be many nutritional obstacles for a person with cancer, including loss of appetite, nausea and alterations in taste. Some specific topics covered will be:

• how to track your weight
• review of high and low fiber foods
• foods high in protein
• soft foods
• how to read food labels and recipes
• and much more!

This free informational class can provide nutritional tips to get your system through this challenging time.

Family members and caregivers are welcome.

This class will be taught by Libby Mullins, RD, CSO, CD

For the past 10 years, Libby has practiced as a registered dietitian, providing medical nutrition therapy in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. In 2010, she became a Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition through the American Dietetic Association. Since 2006, she has been employed as a clinical dietitian with Providence St. Peter Hospital.

Time: Fourth Wednesday of the month from 3-4:30 p.m.
Location: Providence Regional Cancer System, Lacey office Click here for directions >>
Price: This class is offered at no charge. Family and caregivers welcome!
To register: Call 360.754.3934, ext. 1083 or 1.800.883.8990, ext. 1083

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  >>

4 pitfalls to avoid when researching on the internet

The internet is a massive resource for health information, but, it’s also the most easily edited and the least policed. Anyone can publish a “scientific study” or “scholarly journal article” online.

In fact, you could probably search for and diagnose your symptoms with google and then figure out how to operate using youtube. (We don’t recommend that by the way).

Before you fall into the overwhelming wealth of information make sure you can answer these four questions:

1. Why are you searching?
   Are you looking for facts or opinions? Information to help make your medical decision or just a familiar story to relate with?
2. Is your source credible?
   The importance of credibility ties into the first question of why you’re searching for medical information. If you’re looking for medical treatment options then you will most certainly want to make sure the information you are reading comes from a reputable institution. If you’re looking for others who may share a story similar to yours you may care less about where the information originates from, that is up to you to decide.
   Consider: The American Cancer Society, The American Cancer Institute of Research, National Cancer Institute and The American Association for Cancer Research.
3. When was the study/story published?
   In the medical field, especially specific to cancer, it seems as though news is continually changing/growing. If you are referencing a source from the 1970s you may be setting yourself up for “old information.” Be sure to check the date the study was published and if any follow-up studies have been done.
4. Are you comparing “apples to apples”?
   If you are reading an article about a new study that found success with a particular treatment make sure that the patients included in the study have your “specific type of cancer.” For more information see Dr. Whitten's recent post on "The Pathologist's role in cancer diagnosis and care"

Remember, you are your biggest patient advocate. If you find something online that you’re curious about, talk with your doctor.