541-323-3833Ask the Doctor: Nausea Relief
Q: I’m having a lot of nausea with Adriamycin chemotherapy. The medications help some, but I’m still pretty queasy. What else can I try? — Sarah in Houston, Texas A: Helpful therapies to try include ginger, acupuncture or acupressure, aromatherapy with peppermint, or hypnosis. In a clinical trial, acupressure wristbands were as effective as the antinausea drug Compazine. I recommend Seaband or Bioband wristbands. To get help from ginger, start it at least 2 days before chemotherapy, and continue for several days after chemotherapy. The strength of the ginger extract is a...
Read MoreMindfulness Based Stress Reduction
A cancer diagnosis is stressful for the whole family. Understandably, you may feel anxious about the future, treatment, finances, or telling family. Finding ways to feel calm in the midst of difficulty can make decision making clearer and can help you gather your strength. There are many great ways to ease anxiety. One of my favorites is Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MSBR), and approach developed by Dr Jon Kabat Zinn. MSBR exercises help the mind and body to be an ease in uneasy times. Research also shows that MSBR relaxation training leads to better sleep, less pain, less nausea, and...
Read MoreStudy Confirms Cancer Risk From Hormone Replacement Therapy
Los Angeles Times (latimes.com) – Study Upholds Breast Cancer Mortality For Hormone Replacement – By Eryn Brown – (Saturday, March 30, 2013) “In the nearly 11 years since researchers first rang alarm bells that women on hormone replacement therapy faced an increased risk of breast cancer, some have suggested that taking estrogen and progestin to treat symptoms of menopause might not be so dangerous after all. Though it was generally agreed that woman who took the two hormones to curb their hot flashes and night sweats upped their chances of developing the disease,...
Read MoreKnowing Family History Guides Breast Cancer Screening
Obstetrician-Gynecologist Dr Emily Binkley talks about the importance of knowing your breast cancer family history. Family history can guide screening and genetic testing decisions. And, insurance will often cover BRCA genetic testing if family history indicates a 5 to 10 percent risk of having one of these genes. For tips on talking to your family about breast cancer, read Dr Binkley’s article.
Read MoreAsk the Doctor: Can Breast Thermography Help Me?
Q: I’ve read that breast thermography is a safer alternative to mammography. Do you recommend breast thermograms? A: Thermography is a useful adjunct to mammography. If an abnormal lesion is found on a mammogram or breast MRI, a thermogram can help to clarify the findings. The additional information reduces the risk of an unnecessary biopsy. However, thermography is not yet accurate enough to replace mammography or breast MRI. For example, a recent study found that thermography had a sensitivity of only 25%. That means that thermography missed 3 out of 4 breast cancers. For more...
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