Patient Advocate

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  I am always surprised with the ignorance of most cancer patients concerning their diagnosis and treatment strategy.  Lack of information is never a positive in these cases.   Here's your very important tip of the day - if you or your loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, ask for a patient advocate.  This is the person from the hospital who is there to help you through this difficult time in life: to answer questions, be the liason between you and your team of physicians and to ensure that you are receiving all therapies that will help with an expedient and effective recovery.  For every type of cancer, there is a support group/organization out there ready and willing to serve you at no cost.  If you are a cancer survivor and have been aided by one of these groups, donate your time and/or money to help them help others....pay it forward.

Are You A Champion?

Champions are not born; they are made.  Courage, determination, perseverance - these are the ingredients that go into making a champion.  These aspects are your allies in your battle against disease, obesity, mental illness, or rehabilitation from an injury.  Everyone possesses these essential elements within themselves; they sometimes need to be coaxed out to our consciousness.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Do you have what it takes to be a champion?  Every day, we all fight a small battle against disease, obesity, mental illness or other physical injury.  Look into the mirror and find your courage, determination, and persevere.  At the end of the day, you will be a winner; the champion of your own well being - both mentally and physically.

Low Carb Diets Slow Down Cancer Cell Growth

According to Cancer Research, 71:  4484-4493, 2011, cancer cells just love glucose (blood sugar) as a fuel source.  A recent study at the British Columbia Cancer Research Center concluded that tumors grew slower in mice that were fed a low carb diet and high in protein compared to mice fed a high carb diet.  Although these results were not human tests, we might conclude that the same results could occur in humans with tumors.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If you are confused about what type of foods you should be eating for good health, join my Wellness Program.  This is an online consultation program individually designed for YOU to obtain maximum health with minimal lifestyle changes in general.  Call or email the office to find out more about the program.  Start today!  No time like the present.

Every Man Should Know About Testicular Cancer

The National Cancer Institute reports that testicular cancer is most common among men between the ages of 20 and 34.  Testicular cancer is highly curable. More than nine out of 10 men with testicular cancer are diagnosed with a small, localized tumor that is highly treatable. Even if the cancer has spread at diagnosis, many men with testicular cancer are treated successfully and have an excellent chance of survival.

Symptoms of Testicular Cancer
Self examination or physical examination by an m.d. is often the first way testicular cancer is noticed.
Self exams should be a monthly routine; a routine physical exam once a year is recommended. Testicular cancer symptoms include:
• A lump in either testicle that may or may not cause pain
• An enlarged (swollen) or hard testicle
• A dull ache in the lower abdomen or groin
• A sudden gathering of fluid in the scrotum
• Feeling of heaviness in the scrotum

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  be smart and do your self examinations on a routine basis.  If you are experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms, go to your m.d. or urologist and have a thorough exam.  Early detection can save you a lot of trouble in the long run.

Acupuncture is Effective for Breast Cancer Hot Flashes

The Journal of Complementary Medicine 2010 Oct:16(10):1047-57 has reported that "traditional acupuncture (TA) offers an effective, non-pharmaceutical method of managing the hot flushes and night sweats...associated with taking tamoxifen for breast cancer". 
Acupuncture is also highly effective in the treatment of dry mouth (xerostoma), fatigue, nausea and general malaise associated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Courtesy:  Journal of Chinese Medicine, No 95, Feb 2011

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Major medical institutions, such as Memorial Sloan Kettering and NY Presbyterian don't offer acupuncture to their cancer patients for kicks...it really does work!  For more information, please contact me at k@kmondesire.com.  If you know someone who is going through this life struggle, pass this blog on to them, so they may obtain a referral for a practitioner in their area.

Acupuncture on Dateline NBC

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center was featured recently on Dateline NBC on the benefits of Integrative Medicine...acupuncture being one of the featured medicines used at the Bendheim Center, NYC.  Watch  this video and pass it on to everyone you know.  There are various ways of relieving the symptoms and side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments.  If you or someone you care about is going through a difficult journey battling cancer, please have them contact me to discuss how acupuncture can alleviate their discomfort.  If they are not in the New York City area, I will try to find a practitioner in their area.  Remember, the cancer patient should only see a licensed acupuncturist who is well-trained in the field of oncology.  These patients have special needs and require special care!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032600/vp/41670690?Email_PageName=March+2011+Lately%40MSKCC&Email_OID=newsletter%2Ditem%2Dtitle%2D527273#41670690