patient & family education newsprincess margaret cancer … · ovarian cancer awareness month...

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 A N E W S L E T T E R F O R

PAT I E N T S , FA M I L I E S , S TA F F

A N D C O M M U N I T Y M E M B E R S

IN THIS ISSUE

Eat healthy to keep your bones healthy during cancer treatment

Juicing versus Blending: What should I choose?

Library Corner: September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

Patient & Family Education NewsP R I N C E S S M A R G A R E T C A N C E R C E N T R E

Continues

Eat healthy to keep your bones healthy during cancer treatmentAman Sium, Patient Education Specialist, Patient & Family Education Program

Cancer and cancer treatment can cause symptoms (signs) and side effects that can be hard to deal with. One of these side effects can be poor bone health.

On Tuesday, July 28th, Maryam S. Hamidi and Luba Slatkovska from Toronto General Hospital’s Osteoporosis Program spoke about why bone health is important, and how cancer treatment can affect it.

What is bone health?Bone health is important for all people, whether they are getting treatment for cancer or not. Strong and healthy bones help to:

• Give your body its posture (upright shape),

• Allow you to breath better, and

• Protect your body’s organs.

Bones are stronger when they are more dense (strong all the way through and full of minerals). When your bones are less dense, they are more likely to crack or break.

Less dense bones can lead to osteoporosis, a condition where bones are not dense enough. Osteoporosis can be caused by:

• Aging. Your bones tend to become less dense over time.

• Poor diet. This means the foods you are eating do not have enough calcium or vitamin D.

How does cancer treatment affect bone health?Some cancer treatments affect bone health for a short time, and others can affect bone health for much longer.

• Chemotherapy and radiation treatment can weaken your bones in the area being treated, but they will recover over time.

• Hormone therapy used to treat breast, prostate, and some other cancers can make your bones less dense forever.

What can you do to keep your bones healthy during cancer treatment?

Eating and drinking the right things can help protect your bones during cancer treatment:

1. Have up to 2 servings of dairy each day. One serving may be a cup of milk, or a piece of cheese the size of your thumb. Dairy gives you a lot of calcium, minerals and vitamins that help keep your bones strong. Drink soy milk if you can’t have dairy.

2. Eat a lot of fruit and vegetables to get calcium and vitamins. Eat vegetables as often as you can. Have 2 to 3 servings of fruit each day (1 serving is as big as the cup of your hand).

3. Eat whole grains and starches (for example, bread, potatoes, corn). These foods have vitamin B and other minerals that help keep your bones strong. One serving of grains is about the size of your fist.

4. Drink a lot water. Drinking normal or carbonated (soda) water gives your bones minerals and keeps them hydrated (with enough fluid).

Try to reduce or avoid having food and drinks with:

1. A lot of salt or sugar (for example, flavoured soda pop, potato chips). Your body uses the calcium stored in your bones to digest sugar and salt when you eat too much.

2. A lot of caffeine (for example,. coffee, tea). Digesting caffeine also uses up the calcium in your body. Do not have more than 2 cups of drinks with caffeine each day.

3. A lot of alcohol (for example, beer, wine). Alcohol slows down your body in making new bone.

Visit this website to learn more about what foods are safe to eat, and how much to have: www.oncologynutrition.org

Call Toronto General’s Osteoporosis Program to get more details about bone health. Or, ask your doctor to refer you (book a visit) to the Osteoporosis Clinic to get a bone health check-up:

The Osteoporosis Clinic7th floor of the Toronto General Hospital(200 Elizabeth Street)416-340-4609

Juicing versus Blending: What should I choose? Megan Morrison RD, Clinical Dietitian at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

What is the difference between juicing and blending? Is one healthier than the other? With different information and opinions available in the media and online, it can be overwhelming to make a decision. Here are some key points about each method.

Juicing“Juicing” is when whole fruits and vegetables are run through a juicer. Juicing removes the pulp (fibre), leaving you with some of the carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals (healthful nutrients naturally found in plant foods). Some diets claim that juices are easier on your digestive system and can help detoxify and cleanse your body, but there is not enough scientific evidence to support this. In fact, our body naturally detoxifies itself. For example, our livers produce bile, which helps to remove toxins from our bodies.

Juicing is a good option for people with small appetites or who feel full easily. Juicing is also good for people who need to follow a lower fibre diet.

Juicing should not be used as the only source of nutrition because juices do not provide all the nutrients our bodies need. Juices are low in protein, fat, fibre, calcium, vitamin D and iron. Without fibre, for example, the natural sugars in juice can enter your bloodstream

too quickly leading to a spike in your blood glucose (sugar). Good blood glucose control is recommended for people with diabetes and those trying to maintain a healthy weight.

If you choose to drink juice, keep these tips in mind:

• Choose to eat whole vegetables and fruits whenever you can. Research shows that eating whole fruits and vegetables may protect against different cancers.

• Juices should not replace a meal as it may lead to weight loss and muscle loss.

• Have no more than 1 cup of juice at a time.

• Use a juicer that saves the pulp. You can then add the pulp to soups or muffin mixes to add more fibre.

• Follow food safety practices. Clean your ingredients, juicer, and kitchen surfaces well before using them and chill juice within 2 hours of making it.

• Avoid store bought fresh juices from a juicer because they can carry bacteria.

Blending

“Blending” is pureeing fruits and vegetables to make a drink. Sometimes other liquids or foods are added as well. Blended drinks are also called smoothies. Blending keeps the fibre, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals

Library Corner: September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month By Michelle Snow, Librarian, Patient & Family Education, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Stop by the Patient & Family Library on the main floor at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre during September 1 – 4, 2015 to meet team members from Ovarian Cancer Canada. Learn about ovarian cancer awareness, the common signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, and support groups available in your area.

Listed below are resources that you can find at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Patient & Family Library. Learn about ovarian cancer: detection, diagnosis, treatment options, side effect management, and support services.

Brochures on Ovarian CancerAsk library staff for a free copy

• Coping with Gynecological Cancer: Patient Resource Guide

• Quick Facts about Ovarian Cancer

• What to Do When Receiving Radiation Therapy to the Abdomen and Pelvis

• Lymphedema: a Possible Late Effect of Some Cancer Treatment

• How to Do Self Lymphatic Massage on your Lower Body: For Patients with Lower Body Lymphedema Who Have Had Treatment for Gynecologic Cancer

• How to Self-Bandage Your Legs and Feet to Reduce Lymphedema

• Know How to Use Vaginal Moisturizers and Lubricants

• Pelvic Floor “Kegel” Exercises

• Manage Sex and Intimacy during and after Gynecologic Cancer Treatment

• Ovarian Cancer: Understanding Your Diagnosis by Canadian Cancer Society

• By Your Side by Ovarian Cancer Canada

Mobile Health Apps to help you Relax• Breathe to Relax by National Center for

Telehealth and Technology

• Relax Melodies by iLBSoft

• Sleepmaker Rain by SoftwareX

• Take a Break! by Meditation Oasis

Visit the library:

Hours: Monday to Thursday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Fridays 8:30 – 4:00 Location: Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, main floor, atrium Phone: 416 946-4591 x 5383E-mail: [email protected]

in the drink. Although blending may contain more nutrients than juicing, there is no scientific evidence to show that blended drinks are better for your health than eating whole foods. Blended drinks can be included as part of your diet in healthy ways.

Blended drinks are a good option if you have chewing and swallowing problems. Ingredients in blended drinks are not limited to fruit and vegetables, meaning they can have more nutrients than juices. For example, in blended drinks the fibre from the fruit and vegetables is still in the drink.

If you choose to make blended drinks, keep these tips in mind:

• Do not rely on homemade blended drinks as your only source of nutrition as they may not have all the nutrients you need.

• Choose a variety of fruits and vegetables. If you are trying to lose weight, add mostly vegetables and sweeten with a bit of fruit in a blended drink. If you are trying to gain weight, add more fruit to increase the calories in a blended drink.

• Follow food safety practices. Clean your ingredients, blender, and kitchen surfaces well before using them and chill drinks within 2 hours of making it.

• Avoid store bought smoothie machine drinks because they can carry bacteria.

How to make a blended drink:

• Start with a liquid base, like milk or soy beverage.

• Add a source of protein, like nut butter (peanut butter or almond butter) or whey powder.

• Add fruits and vegetables.

• If you need extra calories, add a source of fat, like olive oil.

• If you’d like, add spices like cinnamon, ground cocoa, or nutmeg to add extra flavours.

If you would like to speak to a registered dietitian, ask a member of your healthcare team for a referral.

For additional information, refer to the “Food Safety For Patients with Weakened Immune Systems” pamphlet and “Goes Down Easy: Recipes to help you cope with the challenge of eating during cancer treatment”. These resources are available in the Princess Margaret Patient & Family Library.

The information contained in this newsletter is to be used for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for non-commercial personal use only. © University Health Network - Princess Margaret Hospital - Patient and Family Library - 2015

Patient & Survivorship Education Editor: Alaina Cyr, Patient Education Coordinator | Editorial Board: Nazek Abdelmutti, Daniela Fierini, Robin Forbes, Myann Marks, Lauren ShorserGraphic Artist: Kristin Foster | Please forward comments, questions or submissions to [email protected]

The Patient Education and Survivorship Programs are supported by the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.

“When you’ve had cancer, every day is a gift.”

“ Thanks to the groundbreaking research, the care of Dr. Messner and the compassion of the whole team at The Princess Margaret, I’m here today.”

See Chris Taylor’s story at www.thepmcf.ca

A gift left in your Will can save lives. If cancer is your cause, support one of the top 5 cancer research centres in the world. To learn more about planning your gift, call 416-946-2295 or email [email protected]













–Chris Taylor

1-800-339-5662 | willowpublishing.com

placing an ad, contact us this Newsletter by

If you’d like to support

Proudly Canadian Since 1994

Quality Healthcare Publications

patient directory.ca

patient & family education newsprincess margaret cancer … · ovarian cancer awareness month...

Documents