Antidepressants Blog

The tissue appears normal under a microscope, but important changes have occurred in the cell nucleus, or command centre. Proto-oncogenes, which regulate cell growth and development, are corrupted and switch off the restraints on overdevelopment. Oxidative damage, a major corrupter of DNA (our genetic make-up), can be minimized by nutritional means. The immune system, which searches out and destroys the corrupted cells, can be enhanced, and enzymes which detoxify carcinogens can be boosted.     Promotion-Visible changes to the tissue can be detected under the microscope. This stage is sometimes referred to as a pre-cancerous stage and is reversible. Nutrition can help to strengthen healthy cell membranes, encourage communication between cells at sites called gap junctions (which is necessary for them to recognize their boundaries), enhance the immune system’s ability to cope with the pre-cancerous cells, and balance hormones in order to discourage cell proliferation.     Progression-The tumour is still too small to be detected with the naked eye, but has begun to signal to the surrounding blood supply, encouraging it to link the tumour to the blood network, so that it can feed itself and eliminate waste material. This process is called angiogenesis. Some nutritional measures, as well as new drugs that are being developed, can help to interrupt this malignant form of blood vessel growth, and in so doing starve the tumour.     Detectable tumour-This is the stage at which most breast cancers are discovered. To get to this point will have taken several years depending on the ‘doubling time’, or growth rate, of the cancer. This stage is deemed irreversible, and the treatment is usually surgical, with radiation, drugs and possibly hormone treatment as well. Nutrition can support the patient’s ability to manage conventional treatment and enhance the immune function to help deal with any cancer that the medical treatment may not have totally dealt with. It can change the circumstances that lead to the disease developing in the first place, thereby discouraging recurrence.*37\240\2*

Try not to listen to gossip about other people’s experiences.
Unfortunately it is at times like this that people share all the dramatic experiences of someone else’s cancer.
It is their experience, not yours. Horror stories are your f friend’s way of voicing their fear – they are scared that you are going to die. Treatments are advancing quickly to minimize all the unpleasant side effects, and the survival rate of most cancers is increasing each year. Make a pact to surround yourself, in the first few weeks, only with those people who are sensitive to your needs and act in a supportive way. The gossips can wait until later! Likewise, you will be inundated with stories of how friends and relatives were ‘cured’ of their cancers by all sorts of unusual potions. Talk with your doctor about these. Your doctor will be quite familiar with these suggestions and can give you advice.
Do it in your way that makes you feel best and helps you cope.

Focus on the ‘success’ stories of cancer survivors
Ask your doctor to introduce you to someone who has made a successful recovery from your type of cancer. A ‘survivor-mentor’ can be a great support and inspiration during those ‘blue days’. Having someone there who has been down the same road and experienced all the things that you will is the best thing you can do at this stage. Cancer support groups can be a great way of finding like-minded people and support. Many women and their ‘expert’ friends will be tempted at the initial stage of diagnosis to search for as much information on the disease as is readily available. Most of it through the Internet. Ask your doctor to refer you to some credible, well-referenced sites. Many sites do not contain accurate information, and are often a dumping or cleansing ground for all the negativity that some experience. At this stage well-balanced information will help you most. The Cancer Council in your area is a great starting point for good resources. Remember that your doctor will be treating your specific needs and is the best person to discuss your concerns with.
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Many women comment ‘I didn’t feel ill, so the cancer diagnosis came as a huge shock!’ One of the first reactions is that the cancer will kill you, and so the fear and worry start. Often women worry unnecessarily about ‘what might happen’ based on their fear. Try not to ‘cross bridges’ unless they are there to cross. Focus on today, keeping in mind that your doctor will have been open and honest with you about the current state of your condition. Live every day to the fullest. Find pleasures (often small) in every day and something to have humour about. This will lighten the burden for you and help you cope even at the bleakest moments.
Many people ‘live’ with cancer . . . fewer and fewer are dying of cancer. You have every reason to remain hopeful the outset. A good relationship with a medical team u trust will reinforce this optimism.
• Do you know most women with gynecological cancer do not get a recurrence . . . and the good news . . . More women now SURVIVE gynecological cancer than die from it.
Remember: that while it is a human reaction to worry at times like this (after all the uncertainty and fear for life is enormous!) Worry does not work! All it does is sap your energy and distort your mind from planning and implementing your way back to good living, worry plays games with the mind. Who will win? You – or the worry? However, in order to have the greatest energy to cope with the challenges ahead, it is ‘OK’ to feel scared. For a short time . . . until you start feeling confident in your ability to meet the challenges that lie ahead, whatever the outcome. After all, it is a new experience for most, and one where the negative aspects are the most broadly advertised. All the great actors of the world have ‘butterflies’ before they play their most important roles. However the anxiety does not last when a skilled cast and appropriate props and scenery ‘on stage’ support the actor. It is no different with starting cancer treatment. The developed world is most fortunate to have such a high level of skilled, knowledgeable and caring staff and such well-equipped hospitals with so many props’ or resources for the patient and carers.
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Pat is 65 and has three children.

She noticed one day that one of her breasts seemed to have become smaller. She had had a mammogram the previous year, and was not unduly concerned, deciding to show the breast to a doctor at her annual clinic check-up, 6 months later. However, shortly afterwards, she visited her GP with an unrelated problem and the GP noticed some puckering of the skin around Pat’s nipple, and decided to send her to a breast specialist.

Some 13 years previously Pat had had surgery for cancer of the pancreas, and so felt she did not want to worry her family unnecessarily. She therefore kept her concerns to herself, and found the month she had to wait before seeing the specialist very stressful.

The consultant who examined her was 80 per cent certain that her condition was malignant, and did a fine needle aspiration biopsy. There was no discussion at this appointment about what Pat’s options would be in the event of the consultant being proved right. She was sent for a mammogram and an ultrasound test.

About 10 days later, Pat went with her daughter to receive the results of the tests. To their delight, the consultant told them that the lump was almost certainly benign and was a fat necrosis, formed of dead cells. However, he did a further fine needle biopsy as well as a Tru-Cut biopsy, and said he did feel that the lump should be removed. Pat’s daughter took down all that was said at this appointment in shorthand so that she and her mother could go through it together when they felt calmer.

A couple of days later, Pat received a letter asking her to go in to hospital the following day for a lumpectomy. Feeling much more cheerful, she had her operation, and left hospital within 3 days.

Pat returned alone for a follow-up visit to the consultant a week later, and her dressing was changed by a nurse. The consultant told her that his first diagnosis had been correct, and the lump had been cancer – a ductal adenocarcinoma which was encased in dead cells within the fat necrosis. He also told her that she would need to have a course of radiotherapy. Pat was very frightened, and went home to ring BACUP, who sent her leaflets and were very supportive.

She has had a meeting with the oncologist to discuss her proposed treatment, and is waiting to start her radiotherapy. The oncologist has warned her that, as the cancer was deep rooted, the radiation treatment may leave scar tissue on her lung, and she should ask her GP for some antibiotics if she has any subsequent sign of chest infection.

Once the radiotherapy course is finished, Pat will have a partial prosthesis as her breast will have shrunk slightly.

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