Frequently Asked Questions:
Welcome to the new-look Cancer ChatNZ to all our members who have posted on the old site, and to all those coming to Cancer ChatNZ for the first time. Unfortunately we are unable to display historical posts on our new site but we hope the transition will be easy for those used to using that familiar format.
We encourage you to continue any conversations over from the old boards, and want to let you know that the people behind the scenes are the same people that you will have communicated with before, so the only thing that has really changed is the look and feel of the site.
Thank you for your question.During chemotherapy it is recommended that your father follows a balanced diet to maintain his weight and energy levels as much as possible. It can be difficult to achieve this as for many people, chemo can cause taste changes and reduced appetite, sore/dry mouth etc. The Cancer Society booklet ‘Eating Well’ has many suggestions for coping with these problems during treatment – call us 0800 CANCER (226237) to get a copy or email info@cancersoc.org.nz.
It may be helpful for your father to discuss his nutrition with the hospital dietitian – they can suggest supplements such as Complan or Ensure which can help if his appetite is reduced.
Taking vitamins, antioxidants, herbal products etc during chemo is generally not recommended – some research suggests they may make treatment less effective. It is best to get nutrients where possible from food sources. I hope this is helpful and best wishes for your father’s treatment.
Regards
Julie, Cancer Information Nurse
Hi - thanks for your question
The Cancer Society has a booklet we bring into NZ from the Cancer Council Victoria called ‘Life With Cancer’ which you can obtain by calling 0800 226 237. It is also available online at www.cancervic.org.au/about-cancer/living-with-cancer
For people with advanced cancer we have a booklet called ‘Advanced Cancer’ available in hard copy from our 0800 service or online at www.cancernz.org.nz/information/cancer-types/#information-booklets
We also have books in our library which may be helpful so please don’t hesitate to call/email if you would like suggestions of titles – we can mail books out to you.
Kind regards
Julie
Cancer Information Nurse
Hi, thanks for your message. The hot flushes and sweating sound really miserable for you.
Hot flushes happen for many women on tamoxifen – they often settle down about 3 – 6 months after starting the drug as your body adjusts to it. Stopping tamoxifen should mean the flushes ease but it may take some time for your body to readjust to this as well. I wonder how close you are to natural menopause (average age for menopause in NZ women is 51) as this may be having an effect?
Generally there are some tips to try which you may have read already such as avoiding triggers for sweating eg. hot, spicy foods, caffeine, hot showers/ baths or saunas, smoking, alcohol, and stress. Women have said that it can help to wear natural fibres such as cotton, use cotton sheets, try a cool gel pack under your pillow, keep ice water or a water spray close by, having a cool shower before bed , sleep on a towel if you sweat a lot overnight so it is easier to change than sheets and less likely to wake you completely.
Managing stress by learning relaxation techniques and doing regular exercise helps some. Dietary changes such as lower-fat diet may help.
At work it may help to have a desk fan if this is possible, during your breaks have a walk or try some relaxation exercises or listening to a relaxation CD. We have a CD I could send you if you’d like – just send your mailing address.
Some research has shown acupuncture to be effective in reducing hot flushes – I suggest asking your doctor to recommend an acupuncturist if you want to try this. Drugs which have been shown in studies to help include clonidine, gabapentin and perhaps most effective has been low doses of an anti-depressant called Venlafaxine – again ask your doctor about this.
I hope this helps,
Kind regards
Julie
Hi Mary thanks for these links, they look great. We will also add them to the CancerChat forum so more people may read about them.
thanks again
Julie and Naena
Thank you for your email via our Cancerchat forum.
Sorry to hear of your mum’s diagnosis of lung cancer. It is a difficult time waiting for treatment options and mean time she is deteriorating in health in front of you.
There is no reason why one can’t get any scans privately, either get a referral from your GP or her specialist .
Has she been referred to a medical oncologist for treatment of Chemotherapy or radiotherapy, as treatment options if her cancer is inoperable?
Best wishes and aroha,
Naena
Cancer Information Nurse
Thanks for your interesting question.
I’m sorry to hear you’ve had such a painful time with your chemo.
The benefit of a PICC is that they are inserted into a larger deeper vein in your upper arm than the veins used with cannulas into your hand or lower arm. The end of the PICC line then sits in a very large vein in your chest so they are less likely to cause irritation to the vein.
The other benefit is that they can stay in place for weeks or months and can be used to take blood and give medication without having to use a needle each time which is also irritating to smaller veins.
Like any intravenous line PICC lines can cause problems – eg infection at the site where they enter the skin – you will be shown how to look after it and what to look out for. Overall the complication rate is low. For more information on the PICC line with drawings and photos see these links: http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertreatment/Treatmenttypes/Chemotherapy/Linesports/PICCline.aspx
Kind regards
Julie
