How Social Networks Help Cancer Patients

  In today’s digital age, many of us head to the ’Net for information, education and entertainment. And when we encounter a problem, the Web can be an important and valuable tool. That’s an idea that holds true for people facing illnesses: Online help for cancer patients abounds, with websites offering everything from medical advice and information to social support networks. Online help for cancer patients Many of the leading national cancer organizations offer patients comprehensive information on their websites.\ For instance, The National Cancer Institute provides a wealth of medical material, from tips on prevention and screening to summaries of the different types of cancers that exist to guides on the practical and emotional steps one needs to take after a diagnosis. While the topics covered are complex, most of the site’s pages are written for a non-medical audience, so the information is understandable for the general public. The American Cancer Society website also educates in a clear, concise way. It organizes its pages according to a few leading types of cancer — such as breast, lung, prostate and skin — offering information about signs and symptoms, questions to ask a physician, videos from patients and survivors and even interactive quizzes. The site functions as a step-by-step guide to help cancer patients navigate their diagnosis. The volume of online help for cancer patients can be a bit overwhelming, but Cancer Index condenses and compiles all of those resources in one central location. The website outlines different types of cancer, with links to sites featuring research, stats and resources on each. There’s a lot of information out there, and...

Freebies for Cancer Patients

After a cancer diagnosis, a patient may be wracked by worries — if he or she can beat the disease, what impact treatment will have on the family or even how to prepare for the worst. On top of all of that emotional stress, another practical worry may make the situation even more trying: money. Financial concerns plague all Americans, but can be especially worrisome for cancer patients. Bills for treatments and medications, co-pays for office visits and even expenses such as wigs and specialized diet foods can make a scary situation all the worse. Thankfully, an important resource for cancer patients exists in Breast Cancer Freebies. The website was created by Bethany Kandel, a breast-cancer survivor who herself struggled with the financial strain caused by a cancer diagnosis. Kandel, a former reporter for USA Today and the New York Daily News, writes on the site that she fortunately benefited from several cost-saving opportunities after her diagnosis, such as a free wig from the American Cancer Society. To pay it forward, Kandel decided to use her journalistic background to scour the Internet for the best deals and freebies for others facing a cancer diagnosis. She compiled her findings on the website, creating a comprehensive clearinghouse and resource for cancer patients. The offers are wide-ranging, including everything from products to services to scholarships. Among the items, the site includes information on accessories like wigs and other head gear, such as handcrafted scarves; medical-related products like prosthetics and compression sleeves for arm-swelling; and cancer-specific publications that can be delivered to your home free of charge. Services highlighted include makeovers, yoga and...

Can Reducing Your Sugar Intake Help Reduce Your Risk of Cancer?

You may have even more motivation to put down that candy bar, other than your New Year resolution. A new study recently found a link between sugar consumption and cancer risk.  According to researchers at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, diets rich in sucrose and fructose — present in many commonly eaten foods — can cause tumor growth. The report is making waves, most importantly because it is groundbreaking research that can be used to help cancer patients. What Does the Study Say? This was the first study of its kind that directly evaluated sugar-intake levels on cancer growth. The researchers used mice to test their hypothesis, separating them into four groups, each which received a different diet over six months. Of the mice that had the highest amount of sugar consumption in their diet, between 50-58 percent had developed mammary tumors after a half-year, compared to 30 percent of the mice whose diet was richer in non-sugars. According to the study, which was published Jan. 4 in Cancer Research, excess sugar appears to fuel growth of the enzyme 12-LOX and fatty acid 12-HETE in cancer cells. Additionally, when too much sugar is ingested, the liver processes it to fat, and fat buildup in the body can also elevate someone’s risk for cancer. The researchers found sugar to be especially linked to breast and lung cancers. How Does this Study Help Cancer Patients? Now that this preliminary data is available, many are wondering how it can be used for cancer prevention, and also to help cancer patients. First, researchers say the study is further proof that overloading on sugar can...