It can be hard to get enough restful sleep when you’re living with cancer. From the emotional toll cancer can take to sleep-interfering side effects of treatment, many people with cancer find that getting much-needed rest isn’t always easy.
Are stomach and digestive issues popping up and disrupting your nights and days? You're not navigating this challenging game alone. Join our oncology experts, Jenna Rush, RN, and Stephanie Meyers, RD, for insightful tips and strategies to take on those pesky gastrointestinal side effects.
In addition to typical tests like the Complete Blood Count (CBC) and Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP), your provider may also order tumor marker tests. Below, we answer commonly asked questions about tumor marker tests so you can learn more about what to expect and how they might be used in your cancer care.
After your recent cancer diagnosis or treatment, you’re finally ready to be intimate with your partner. As things heat up, sex becomes uncomfortable…painful even. jh6Sound like an experience you’ve had?
The cost of food today is the highest it’s been in 30 years and when you’re dealing with cancer finding foods that appeal to you but also fit your budget can be a big challenge. Below are some cost-effective, nutritious choices that deliver both value and health benefits:
Ever feel like fatigue is taking over? One moment you’re dominating the never-ending game of feeling tired, the next moment you’re faced with the exhausting challenge of keeping your energy levels up! Take the leap and join our oncology nurse, Christie Frick, and our oncology dietitian and nutritionist, Stephanie Meyers, as they tackle the common side effect of fatigue.
Learn about breast cancer stages and what they mean. Understanding how your care team determines stages can help you talk about your stage with the team.
Mouth sores might not be the first side effect you think of with cancer treatment, but they can significantly impact your daily life. If you're looking for insights on their causes and prevention, we've got you covered.
Even though I drink 3 cups of coffee a day, since I started cancer treatment, I have zero energy. I have no energy since starting cancer treatment. Is there something I can eat or drink that can help perk me up?
I’m feeling down because my pain is getting in the way of doing my favorite activities: golfing and spending time with my grandkids. At my last visit my doctor recommended that palliative care could be helpful. I haven’t made the appointment because I don’t understand how they could help me. What does this mean about my cancer?
I’ve heard from another patient in the treatment room that I should look for zinc oxide or titanium dioxide in my sunscreen. Are they really better? What should I look for in sunscreen, especially as I’m undergoing chemo?
I’ve just completed radiation treatment. I’m excited to get back to my old routine since treatment is done, but I still don’t have a lot of energy each day. I’m bored with movies and TV! I’m looking to try new activities that are easy to do and will help keep my spirits up while I continue to slowly recover. A friend mentioned the idea of journaling, I’m interested, but want to better understand how to do it and if it could help me while I’m feeling tired and unable to do my typical activities.
Shopping from a wall of wigs is weird; how do people do it? How do you know which wig is right for you? I just stood there, staring at the wall, wondering: should I try red hair? I’ve always thought it was a beautiful color and look. Or should I just stick with my “natural” color to make it look less obvious that I’m wearing a wig? Or should I wear a scarf? Any recommendations?
Curious about dairy foods and plant-based alternatives as they relate to cancer? Join us virtually for our group nutrition session exploring the most up-to-date research and guidance on dairy products like milk, yogurt, cheese, and non-dairy options.
This Apple Prune Sauce is a nutrient-packed blend that’s as delicious as it's nourishing. The prunes provide natural sweetness along with fiber, which helps manage constipation. Adding high-fiber cereal boosts the fiber content even further, making this sauce a useful home remedy for managing bowels when that’s a struggle. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids in addition to eating 1 to 3 tablespoons of this sauce daily.
Vaginal atrophy, stemming from declining estrogen levels, is a condition that affects women. Estrogen fluctuations can arise from menopause, cancer, and cancer treatments, leading to changes in the vaginal wall, such as inflammation, thinning, and dryness.
Is there an advantage to eating organic foods when you have cancer? Join us on-demand for a discussion about organic vegetables, fruits, meat, poultry, and dairy - so you can make informed decisions about organic and conventional foods.
“Does sugar feed cancer?” is a common question after a diagnosis and a hot topic that is known for inducing fear. If you’ve felt that worry or you’re wondering about the truth of sugar and cancer, join us on-demand for our group nutrition session led by our Iris Care Team oncology expert, Stephanie Meyers, MS, RDN.
Let’s talk about those embarrassing side effects no one told you about — because leaky bowels, flatulence, and drooling are more normal than we admit. We’re ready to break open this conversation so that no one feels ashamed or isolated due to the side effects of cancer or treatment.
A common side effect of both cancer itself and cancer treatments is nausea — sometimes to the point of vomiting. Nausea, no matter how severe, can interfere with your ability to eat and complete daily activities.
Daylight Savings is coming up and I'm wondering what I should do with taking my meds when the time changes. Do you just take your morning dose an hour early or late that first day? Or do you start adjusting a couple of days early?
I’ve recently been doing a deep dive on my ancestry. My boyfriend decided to gift me a kit from 23andMe to help me on my journey. I just got the package and noticed it mentioned that they can run a health report that includes genetics. My oncologist mentioned previously that I might qualify through my insurance for genetic testing but held off from doing it. Could I use this instead?
Fear of cancer recurrence - anxiety or concerns around cancer returning – is common among individuals coping with cancer, especially in the post-treatment or survivorship phase. Given that most cancer if left untreated is life-threatening, some level of fear of recurrence is a human reaction and completely understandable.
I just finished chemo a month ago. I’m mid-way through radiation now. It’s just incredible how life-changing this all has been and how scary it is to not know if you’ll ever be the same person, you were before. I want to feel positive but it’s tough. Do you have any advice?
Do you feel pressure to be positive when talking about cancer? Does the idea of talking about your cancer fears scare you? Have you been told to talk to someone?
I’m an active person. I love to hike, swim at the lake and work in my garden and yard. But this past summer I spent a lot of my time indoors, receiving chemotherapy and preparing for my upcoming surgery. Not only was this disappointing, but it also left me worried that I’ll miss out on another one of my favorite seasons. Since I’m still in the middle of treatment and managing fatigue, what can I do this fall with my family that helps feel connected to nature and the outdoors?