No-Shave November is an annual movement to bring awareness to men’s health issues in a provocative way. Men participate by growing a beard and/or mustache throughout the month of November. They take a photo of their clean-shaven face on November 1st and a final picture on the 30th. Hopefully, during the thirty days in between, they can have conversations about important men’s health topics, including prostate cancer.
Prostate Cancer is the second-most common cancer affecting men
Prostate cancer is enormously common in the United States. After skin cancer, it is the most common cancer for men. Each year, more than 200,000 men in the U.S. find out they have the disease. That’s one in six men!
Depending on the stage of the disease, there are various treatment options, including active surveillance (“watchful waiting”), radiation therapy, hormone therapy, surgery, and chemotherapy. Which treatment your doctor recommends will depend on a combination of tests designed to assess your risk level.
Prostate Cancer Risk Assessment
Risk level is assessed using three basic tests.
The PSA Test. This is a blood test that looks at the levels of prostate-specific antigen in your bloodstream. According to Dr. Curtis Mack, radiation oncologist at Arizona Oncology, “For those with prostate cancer- zero to ten is favorable, ten to twenty is intermediate, and twenty and up indicates a higher risk disease.”
Gleason Score. The Gleason score measures the pathology of prostate cells under a microscope. The more the cells resemble normal prostate cells, the lower the score. Scores range from one to five. Typically, two major types of tissue are found, and those two scores are added together for a result. According to Dr. Mack, “We consider Gleason six (3+3) to be good, seven to be middle-of-the-road, and eight, nine and ten to be at higher risk of progression/spread.”
Physical exam. Part of the evaluation for prostate cancer includes a digital rectal exam. That provides a “T score.” “The most common finding is no suspicious nodules and that is T1c. T2a indicates a small nodule in less than half of one side of the prostate, with more extensive disease going as far as T4, which is suspicious for invasion outside of the prostate into the surrounding tissues such as the bladder and rectum,” Dr. Mack said.
“When you add those things together, we can put people into different risk categories which helps determine what options you have,” said Dr. Mack. “For example- the lowest risk patients- those with a Gleason score of six and a PSA of less than 10, and T1-C or maybe T-2A disease, are very favorable and have a survival of approximately 90 percent. For many of these patients, we now routinely recommend active surveillance instead of routine treatment.”
Another factor to be considered is the percentage of positive biopsies. “If six cores were taken and five of six have cancer in them, that’s different than if just one of six or one of twelve cores have cancer in them,” Dr. Mack stated.
Doctors also look at your general health and if cancer is present in another area of your body. Prostate cancer is a slow-growing cancer. Many older men or those in poor health will die of another cause before prostate cancer threatens their life. In these cases, active surveillance may be the best option.
Treatment for Prostate Cancer
If you choose watchful surveillance, your PSA level will be checked every four to six months. MRI of the prostate and additional biopsies of the prostate may be recommended as well. You and your urologist can re-evaluate this decision each time your levels are checked.
If you will have treatment for your prostate cancer, some of the options to be discussed include radiation therapy, surgery, or a combination of treatment types.
Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer
Radiation therapy is a common treatment for prostate cancer and is a curative option at most stages of the disease. It is also often helpful in advanced stages that cannot be cured but need symptom relief (i.e. pain or obstruction).
The goal of radiation therapy is to deliver a high dose of radiation to the prostate while reducing the side effects due to radiation exposure of nearby organs like the bladder and rectum. Dr. Mack talks more about this in an online video series available at https://arizonaoncology.com/prostate-cancer/.
At Arizona Oncology, we offer an option to help reduce side effects caused by spillover radiation, called the SpaceOar Hydrogel System. The SpaceOar Hydrogel system is a safe, non-toxic gel compound used to create space between the prostate and the rectum. It is injected as a liquid during your normal preparation for external beam radiation or during the same procedure when radioactive seeds are implanted. Studies have shown that using SpaceOar Hydrogel reduces radiation exposure to the rectum by 75%.
We hope this No-Shave November that men will take the opportunity to be more aware of their health, to schedule a check-up with their doctor, and to undergo recommended cancer screenings, including those for prostate cancer, if their doctor recommends it.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and a good reminder to talk with your doctor about whether it is time for your breast cancer screening. Of course, being aware of your breast health is important all year long. No matter what month it is, we hope this information will encourage you to talk to your doctor about your breast cancer risk and what you can do to stay healthy.
Breast cancer survival rates continue to improve. The average 5-year survival rate for women with invasive breast cancer is 90% 1. If the cancer is located only in the breast, the five-year survival rate is 99%. One of the reasons these rates are so high is because we are catching breast cancer earlier, when it’s more treatable. This is thanks to screening tests like mammograms.
Preparing for your first breast cancer screening can be an intimidating experience. However, most women find that getting a mammogram is not a negative experience. How often you will need to get a mammogram depends on your age and health history. It’s important to follow your doctor’s recommendations for all health screenings, including mammograms. Here are 5 common questions to ask your doctor about breast cancer screening.
Do I need a mammogram at this time?
Are mammograms safe?
How accurate are breast cancer screening tests?
Do I need a 3D mammogram?
If I’m at increased risk for breast cancer, do I need additional screening?
Breast Cancer Screening Frequently Asked Questions
Your primary care physician or OB/GYN can help you learn more about your individual breast cancer risk and provide screening recommendations for you.
that have non-dense breasts should get a yearly screening mammogram starting at age 40
that have increased breast density should get a yearly mammogram at age 40 and consider supplemental imaging
Women with higher-than-average risk:
that have genetic markers associated with higher cancer risk should start an annual MRI at age 25, then an annual mammogram starting at age 30
that have had prior chest wall radiation from age 10-30 should start an annual MRI at age 25, then an annual mammogram starting at age 30
with a risk of greater than 20% by any model, or a strong family history of breast cancer should start an annual mammogram and supplemental imaging starting at age 35 when recommended by your physician
Women with a prior history of breast cancer age 50 or more should get an annual mammogram
Women with prior history of breast cancer under age 50, or with dense breasts should get an annual mammogram and supplemental imaging when recommended by your physician
In addition, all women should perform breast self-examinations and be familiar with the way their breasts normally look and feel so changes can be reported immediately.
2. Are Mammograms Safe?
Yes. A mammogram is a type of X-ray, which means you will be exposed to a tiny bit of radiation. During a screening mammogram, typically two views of each breast are taken. Modern mammogram machines taking two views of each breast will expose you to about .4 millisieverts of radiation, which is less than a chest X-ray. For perspective, we are exposed to an average of 3 millisieverts of background radiation every year from our natural surroundings. The procedure takes about 20 minutes and discomfort is generally minimal.
In the past, it has been suggested that mammograms lead to the overdiagnosis of breast cancer since the screenings can find very small cancers that may never cause symptoms or problems. Given that it is impossible to tell which breast cancers would never cause problems, finding these early cancers saves countless lives.
3. How Accurate Are Breast Cancer Screening Tests?
Breast cancer screening tests are the most accurate way to detect breast cancer. A mammogram (the most common type of breast cancer screening) is 87% accurate in correctly detecting breast cancer. Sometimes, mammography results in a false positive result which requires additional testing. About 13% of the time, a mammography results in a false negative result. Be sure to follow up if your radiologist suggests additional tests.
Additional tests may include breast ultrasound or MRI. While follow-up testing can be stressful, it’s important to remember that a recommendation for these additional tests isn’t necessarily a suggestion of a positive result. Sometimes dense breast tissue requires a closer look. Many women who undergo additional screenings do not receive a breast cancer diagnosis.
4. Do I Need a 3D Mammogram?
Most women do not need a 3D mammogram. A 3D mammogram provides more images than a typical mammogram; however, some health insurance plans won’t cover it. A 3D mammogram might be a good choice if you have dense breasts or a personal history of breast cancer. Your doctor will help you understand your personal risks and recommend what type of mammogram you should get.
5. If I’m at Increased Risk for Breast Cancer, Do I Need Additional Screening?
It’s important to talk to your doctor about whether you are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Your risk factors may be increased due to genetic factors or other reasons related to your lifestyle. Risk factors for breast cancer include:
Genetic Risk Factors
Gender – Women are 100 times more likely to develop breast cancer.
Age – Women over 55 are at a higher risk.
Family history of breast cancer – Women with immediate family members who have been diagnosed with breast cancer may be at higher risk.
Personal history of breast cancer – If you’ve previously had breast cancer, you may be more likely to develop it again.
Dense breasts – Dense breasts make it more difficult to detect cancer on a mammogram.
Lifestyle Risk Factors
Drinking alcohol
Being overweight
Certain types of birth control
Even in women with increased risks, a mammogram is the most common initial screening for breast cancer. If you have a higher-than-average risk of breast cancer, your doctor may recommend that you begin screenings earlier and have them more often. Be sure to discuss any concerns you have about your risk for breast cancer with your doctor.
Breast Cancer Screening and Detection
If your doctor recommends you begin breast cancer screening, you will most likely be sent to a center that specializes in mammography and other methods of breast cancer detection and diagnosis. The most common screening for breast cancer is a mammogram. If the mammogram is abnormal or results are unclear, other tests like a breast ultrasound or MRI will likely be recommended.
If breast cancer is detected, you will be referred to an oncologist to begin treatment. Early detection leads to early treatment which is the best tool for a positive outcome. With today’s treatment options, including access to clinical trials, many women with breast cancer are able to live long, healthy lives. The first step, however, is to schedule your mammogram!
Taking control of your health starts with being proactive. Screenings are a vital component of comprehensive healthcare and they’re the best way to identify cancer in its earliest stages, often before it causes any symptoms.
The physicians at Arizona Oncology want to encourage everyone to continue getting their regular screenings during these unprecedented times. Delaying important routine exams, such as mammograms, colonoscopies and lung screenings, can increase the chance of the cancer spreading to other organs. The fact remains, most cancer is treatable if detected early.
For some, restrictions and fears during the COVID-19 pandemic may have caused delays in these important screenings. In a study published in May 2020, Epic Health Research Network found that preventive cancer screenings in the United States abruptly dropped 86% (colon) and 94% (breast and cervical) following the declaration of the COVID-19 national emergency. Although the number of cancer screenings has recently begun to rise, they have not yet reached previously expected levels.1
Types of Cancer Screening Tests
Most screening tests are specific to certain types of cancer. Your screening recommendations exam will depend on your risk factors, which includes personal and family history, smoking habits, and lifestyle.
Some of the recommended exams include:
Mammography
Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing
Pap test
Colonoscopy
Low-dose CT scan
Skin cancer examination
Patients who are high-risk or have symptoms of concern should contact their doctor immediately about available cancer screenings and diagnostic tests.
In addition, our physicians recommend that patients get screened if they have previously canceled or postponed testing or treatment, are overdue for their screening, or have a family history of cancer and other high-risk factors.
Any person with cancer or a suspected cancer diagnosis is urged the contact a nearby Arizona Oncology practice for more information on early screening and treatment options.
Skin cancer is by far the most common type of cancer with over five million cases diagnosed in the U.S. each year. Fortunately, skin cancer in its many shapes and sizes is also one of the most preventable forms of the disease.
The major risk factor is prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation primarily from the sun. The sun-smart strategies below will go a long way in helping prevent the disease.
Early Detection Starts With You
When diagnosed and treated early, skin cancers are highly curable. And in the early stages of skin cancer development, you’re the one with the best chance to see changes. That’s why we recommend that you examine your skin head-to-toe every month. It’s a simple but powerful way to look at yourself with a new focus that can save your life.
Because skin cancers appear in many shapes and sizes, it’s important to know the warning signs associated with basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), melanoma, Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) and the pre-cancer actinic keratosis (AK).
If you see something NEW, CHANGING or UNUSUAL, contact your primary care physician immediately. Look for:
Asymmetry. If you draw an imaginary line through the middle of melanoma, the two halves would not match.
Border. The edges of melanoma are usually uneven, fuzzy or jagged.
Color. Melanomas change colors and are often a combination of black, brown and tan.
Diameter. Melanomas may grow larger than the size of a pencil eraser.
Elevation. Once a mark on your skin becomes raised or thicker, it is a serious red flag indicating a melanoma may be spreading and should be evaluated by a doctor immediately.
Tanning is actually the skin’s reaction to harmful UV radiation exposure. According to the American Cancer Society, UVA and UVB rays from the sun or a tanning bed increase your cancer risk, damage your skin cells and speed up visible signs of aging.
Tips For Outdoor Safety
UV radiation from the sun isn’t just dangerous, it’s also sneaky. it reaches you even when you’re trying to avoid it penetrating clouds and glass, and bouncing off of snow, water and sand.
Preventing skin cancer by protecting yourself requires a comprehensive approach. The American Cancer Society recommends the following:
Protect skin with clothing such as long-sleeve shirts and hats with a broad brim.
Avoid being outdoors when the ultraviolet light is strongest, particularly between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Seek shade.
Use sunscreen and lip balm with an SPF of 30 or more on areas of the skin exposed to the sun.
Wear wrap-around sunglasses with at least 99 percent UV absorption to provide the best protection for the eyes and the skin around the eyes.
Avoid other sources of UV lights, such as tanning beds and sun lamps.
Protect children from the sun by using the same precautions as adults.
If you find any areas of concern about your skin, immediately schedule an appointment with your primary care physician to determine if you need to be referred to a skin cancer specialist for further diagnosis.
As a community-based cancer care provider with clinic locations throughout the state, Arizona Oncology skin cancer doctors help cancer patients and their families access a full range of advanced skin cancer care services.
Through its affiliation with The U.S. Oncology Network, one of the nation’s largest healthcare services networks dedicated exclusively to cancer treatment and research, our skin cancer specialists can quickly bring the latest advances in therapies, research and technology to where patients live.
Arizona Oncology plays a major role in helping patients win the battle against cancer by providing convenient access to a full range of cancer care services within a compassionate setting. Arizona Oncology believes it is beneficial to provide cancer therapies in a community setting close to patients’ homes and support systems.
Early detection is key for effectively fighting breast cancer! The most important screening test in early breast cancer detection is a mammogram. In addition to an improved outcome, some patients diagnosed with early-stage disease are candidates to have less aggressive surgery, can skip chemotherapy or radiation, or will receive a shorter course of treatment for breast cancer.
Breast cancer does not represent “one disease” but, rather, many different and similar diseases all characterized by normal breast cells becoming cancerous breast cells. Although we do not know why most patients develop breast cancer, abnormal genes appear to play a key role in some patients and genetic testing has assumed a greater role in evaluating many newly diagnosed patients.
Breast Cancer Treatment
We can now identify several different subtypes of breast cancer which we recognize as key in formulating an effective breast cancer treatment plan. The vast majority of breast cancers are estrogen-dependent, meaning estrogen promotes the growth of malignant cells. The use of anti-estrogen drugs (hormonal therapy) represents one of the earliest and most successful forms of so-called “targeted therapy” and remains an important part of treatment for patients with estrogen-positive breast cancer. The goal of hormonal therapy is to reduce estrogen production and/or block estrogen, eliminating the “fuel supply” that causes cancer cells to divide and multiply. These drugs, many of them given orally, often with very few side effects, can be used to reduce the risk of recurrence after surgery.
This is called adjuvant therapy, meaning treatment that is given in addition to surgery with the goal of eliminating microscopic cells as well as in patients whose disease has recurred where, in select situations, hormonal therapy can be even more effective than chemotherapy! Several new drugs (the CDK4/6 inhibitors) have been developed in the past few years which, when given with estrogen-blocking drugs, have nearly doubled the duration of remission in patients with advanced disease.
Beyond estrogen-positive breast cancer, we have now identified two other important types of breast cancer – cancers that are driven by the HER-2 gene, and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) where tumor cells lack hormone receptors (both estrogen and progesterone receptors) and the HER-2 gene (i.e. all three markers are negative).
For patients with HER-2 positive breast cancer, drugs that target HER-2 are often given in combination with chemotherapy after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence as well as in patients whose cancers have spread. The development of HER-2 targeting drugs represents a major advancement in the treatment of HER-2 positive breast cancer and has significantly improved outcomes for women with this particular type of breast cancer. Currently available treatments greatly reduce the risk of recurrence after initial surgery as well as significantly extend life in patients whose cancers have spread. Many patients now survive with an excellent quality of life for many years after their cancer has metastasized with the use of anti-HER-2 drugs.
TNBC is recognized as a potentially aggressive form of breast cancer. That said, many women with TNBC do very well. For patients who present with large breast masses or lymph node involvement (locally advanced disease), chemotherapy is frequently given prior to surgery (called neoadjuvant therapy) to reduce tumor size and provide early treatment of any microscopic cells that might have spread beyond the breast. Shrinking a tumor prior to surgery may allow a patient the option of breast-conserving surgery (a big lump becomes a small lump allowing a lumpectomy operation which might not have been possible prior to treatment) and is also a test of sorts to determine the responsiveness of an individual’s cancer cells to chemotherapy. It is now known that patients who have a complete disappearance of their cancer at the time of surgery with pre-surgical chemotherapy have a much better long-term prognosis than patients whose cancers shrink but do not disappear completely. In the latter case, additional chemotherapy can be given with the goal of improving the likelihood of cure.
Early detection of breast cancer is associated with earlier stage disease, improved outcome, and less aggressive treatment.
Increasingly, the treatment of breast cancer has become highly individualized as we have come to learn that while sharing commonalities, each cancer is unique. The precise identification of breast cancer subtype and a better understanding of the drivers of cancer cell growth (cancer genomics) will, undoubtedly, lead to new cancer therapies with even better outcomes in the years ahead.
For patients with significant lymph node involvement, further therapy in the form of additional surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy may be indicated.
Surgery
Standard surgical options for breast cancer include mastectomy versus breast-conserving surgery. Mastectomy was the traditional surgical approach used for most of the 20th century. This involved removing the entire breast and a number of regional lymph nodes. In the 1980s, there was a slow transition from mastectomy to breast-conserving surgery. Most patients diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer now have the option to save their breast by choosing partial mastectomy or lumpectomy. This involves excising only the cancerous tissue with a rim of normal tissue and sampling lymph nodes. Lymph node surgery has become less aggressive for patients with minimal or no lymph node involvement. Sentinel lymph node dissection, which involves dissecting only a few nodes most likely to contain cancer, is now standard of care. Surgery and radiation go together for optimal local and regional control of the cancer.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation is used after breast-conserving surgery to improve local control. Traditionally this is a 6-week course of daily radiation treatment, Monday through Friday, to the entire breast and sometimes adjacent lymph nodes. External radiation is delivered by a linear accelerator (or linac) which directs radiation toward the cancer. Whole breast radiation is well-tolerated with no nausea or vomiting. Common side effects include fatigue, redness or tanning of the breast and breast firmness. Cosmetic outcome is good to excellent in 90% of patients.
New breast cancer treatment approaches have increased the choices available to patients with early breast cancer, in some cases eliminating the need for 6 weeks of external beam radiation and improving quality of life.
Hypofractionated Radiation
For node-negative patients, a short course of whole breast treatment, delivered over a 3-4 week period, is equally effective and well-tolerated. To be a candidate for the shorter (or hypofractionated) course of whole breast treatment, patients have to meet certain pathologic and dosimetric criteria, and the heart should be blocked (for left-sided breast cancers).
Reduced or Partial Breast Radiation
There is a trend toward reducing not only the length of treatments but also the amount of breast tissue that is exposed to radiation therapy. A recent publication in Lancet showed that reduced breast radiation or partial breast radiation was not inferior to standard whole breast treatment and may be associated with improved cosmetic outcome.
Brachytherapy
Another form of partial breast radiation for node-negative patients over age 40 is internal radiation or brachytherapy. Brachytherapy is an innovative form of internal radiation that uses a radioactive source that is placed inside the body. High dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy is a technically advanced form of brachytherapy. A high-intensity radiation source is delivered with millimeter precision under computer guidance directly into the lumpectomy cavity (the space left when a tumor is removed). The radiation is targeted to the area where the cancer is most likely to recur. Advantages of HDR brachytherapy are a short 1-5 day course of outpatient treatment, fewer side effects, excellent coverage of possible microscopic tumor extension and improved accuracy and precision of radiation delivery. Typical side effects are minor and include redness, bruising and breast pain. Sometimes there is breast swelling and dry desquamation (shedding or peeling of skin) or a local wound infection may occur. Overall cosmetic results are good to excellent in most patients.
No Radiation
Some patients with early-stage disease may be candidates to skip radiation. Patients with non-invasive (stage 0), low-risk cancers may not require radiation. This recommendation is made on a case by case basis and influenced by patient age and pathologic factors such as tumor size, the width of surgical margin, tumor grade and biology. Patients age 70 and older, with early stage (<2 cm and node negative) invasive cancers that are estrogen-receptor positive, may be able to skip radiation if they agree to receive adjuvant hormonal therapy. This decision is made after careful review of pathology and discussion of risks and benefits of treatment with the patient.
Arizona Oncology has a team of breast cancer oncologists and radiation oncologists who are breast cancer specialists and offer a full range of services at multiple locations. Remember, early detection of breast cancer is associated with earlier stage disease, improved outcome and, in some cases, less aggressive cancer treatments.
It’s normal to feel anxious during cancer treatment with your number one concern whether the treatment will work. Add to that the stresses of managing appointments, family responsibilities, job responsibilities and you have the makings for a lot of anxiety. It can be enough to cause physical problems including irritability, shortness of breath, a tightness in your chest, and sleeplessness to name a few.
It’s very important to give yourself a break during cancer treatment. Take a step back from all that you normally do to give yourself time to process all that is going on, and then find ways to help you feel better.
Here are some of the best options for relieving anxiety during cancer treatment. Not all of them will work for you, but be open to trying a few things to see what’s best:
Today, you don’t need to leave home to join a support group. Virtual meetings have become the new normal. There are both local and national support groups for various types of cancer that you can join.
And, with social distancing in place, it’s easier to find a virtual group than it has ever been.
Support groups can:
Provide a safe place to voice your anxiety and receive support from people with similar problems.
Allow you to learn and incorporate things that other cancer patients have tried to help them feel better both physically and mentally.
Offer professional advice from experts who know how to minimize anxiety levels for cancer patients and their families.
Increase the quality of life by reducing anxiety, fatigue, pain, and emotional distress.
Provide emotional support to families and caregivers.
Relaxation techniques aid both your body and your mind. It’s worth noting that they tend to have a cumulative effect; the more you do them the better you feel.
Meditation – can balance emotions, relieve anxiety, and even reduce blood pressure. Many meditation guides exist online. However, taking a couple of lessons from an expert can help you achieve better results.
Visualization – the process of using your imagination to relax your mind and build positive emotions by visualizing something relaxing or positive. It improves your ability to relax by focusing the mind on calming imagery.
Deep breathing – studying different breathing techniques can help your body and mind cope with stress.
Progressive muscle relaxation – this technique involves tensing muscles as you breathe in and relaxing them as you breathe out.
Massage therapy – a professional massage may ease pain, headaches, stress, and anxiety in cancer patients.
3. Exercise Regularly
Everyone knows that exercise is good for their bodies. As a cancer patient, you may not feel up to it. But getting in even a little bit of physical exercise can actually increase your energy levels and boost your mood. This makes it easier to deal with all of the demands that cancer treatment puts upon you. Exercise can keep your mind off unsettling issues while stimulating the immune system.
Talk to your oncologist about the best exercise options for you. Yoga is an excellent exercise for both body and mind that reduces anxiety and helps you keep better balance and muscle strength. Right now you may not be able to take classes at a facility, but there are yoga classes online that could be useful for at-home practice.
4. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can ease the pressure on your mind and body. Now may not be the time to try to lose a lot of weight, if that’s one of your personal goals. But focusing on a healthy diet and making healthy lifestyle choices may result in reaching a healthy weight.
Adjust your diet – personalized nutritional strategies can help relieve stress and anxiety. Talk with the Arizona Oncology dietitian for more information on what to eat during cancer treatment.
Get enough sleep – Fatigue is such a common side effect for cancer patients that you may need more sleep than you’re used to. Try to get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night and take naps when you need to. Everyone feels better when they’re not overly tired!
Avoid negativity – if people around you make you experience stress, try to minimize contact with them. Lately, with all that’s going on in the world, this might include spending less time on social media. If you find yourself experiencing negative emotions while on social media, put it down and give it a break for a few hours, or even a few days.
Kick bad habits – smoking and drinking alcohol can contribute to your anxiety instead of easing it.
5. Keep the Lines of Communication Open
Especially after months of quarantine, we know just how much better we feel when we’re connected to other people. Without regular communication with those we love, you may start to feel anxious. Use Facetime or Zoom for live conversations, text and call others on the phone. If you find yourself avoiding social situations and shying away from relationships, you may be showing signs that anxiety is becoming a serious issue.
6. Find a Source of Religious or Spiritual Support
Spirituality and religion can help cancer patients and their families find a sense of peace and experience personal growth.
If you’ve never explored religion or spirituality, it may be a good opportunity to try. They can open up new ways to deal with anxiety and depression during cancer treatment and beyond. Meanwhile, spirituality exploration can keep your mind off cancer-related issues and even turn into a new hobby.
7. Seek Professional Counseling
Cancer patients may face severe depression and anxiety symptoms, if you’re constantly feeling anxious or depressed, or if none of the above options work for you even some of the time, you may want to consider professional assistance. Talk with the oncology social workers at Arizona Oncology who can help you find a counselor that is experienced in the anxiety that cancer patients experience.
These specialists with a master’s degree (or PhD) focus on the effects cancer has on patients and their families, including depression and anxiety. They can also refer you to local resources and help navigate the healthcare system.
8. Take Anti-Anxiety Medications
Your counselor or your medical doctor can talk with you about the possibility of using medications to help control your anxiety, especially if you simply cannot start to feel better at least some of the time. This might indicate that medication can help you to feel better, even if you only use it occasionally.
Talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing anxiety symptoms such as:
Excessive fear and worry
Abnormally high distress
Restlessness
Muscle tension
Fatigue
Insomnia
Concentration problems
To get the right prescription, you need to be straightforward about your medical history and the current cancer treatment. Your oncologist can prescribe this for you.
Gaining Control Over Your Anxiety During Cancer Treatment
Even if you know that anxiety is normal, it doesn’t make it easy to deal with. And you don’t need to just hope it will go away. By trying some of the above tactics, you may be able to ease the excessive worry and improve the quality of your life tremendously. Some cancer patients are able to do this without medication. But don’t feel like taking anti-anxiety medication is unusual. If you’ll feel better and be closer to your normal self, it will be worth it.
