Did you know that for 30% of cancers there is a connection between diet and the development of the disease?
Depending on what food we choose, it can increase or decrease the risk of cancer.
Factors which increase the risk of developing a cancer include:
A diet which can be used for prevention is the anti-cancer diet, which aims to prevent a healthy person from developing a cancer. It is important to remember that our body is a complex mechanism influenced by many factors, therefore it is necessary to consider that following only an anti-cancer diet will ensure that we do not become ill.
Plant products, vegetables and fruits produce special substances, so-called phytochemicals, which have a defensive function in the plant. These are compounds which have an antioxidant effect, protect the plant from harmful environmental factors, and are bioactive substances which have a preventive and curative effect in humans. Another benefit of an anti-cancer diet is that it is based on vegetables and fruit, of which we should eat three portions of vegetables and two portions of fruit, with meat as a supplement.
Anti-cancer food include:
When composing an anti-cancer diet, it is advisable to include cereal products made from dark flour (bread, pasta), groats, oatmeal and products which are a source of omega-3 fatty acids (fish, linseed oil, olive oil).
An anti-cancer diet is not a drug which cures cancer, but is only a factor which supports and protects against the disease (it is a preventive measure). Unfortunately, very often patients understand the anti-cancer diet as something which cures cancer. During cancer treatment, the diet should be chosen individually for each patient, taking into account the type of treatment being used, the type of cancer, the current state of health of the patient and their well-being.
Ośrodki NU-MED Grupy realizują profilaktykę zdrowotną poprzez jednorazowe oraz cykliczne akcje, a także w formie programów profilaktycznych.
Profilaktyka dzieli się na:
Profilaktyka wczesna i pierwotna w ośrodkach Grupy NU-MED realizowana jest poprzez organizację eventów z elementami rekreacji, np. bieg „Ubiegamy się o zdrowie” w Katowicach i Tomaszowie Mazowieckim. Działaniom profilaktycznym sprzyjają też wszelkiego rodzaju plenerowe festyny, podczas których dokonuje się pomiaru poziomu cukru we krwi, pomiar ciśnienia tętniczego, czy przeprowadzana jest analiza składu ciała. Profilaktyka zdrowotna to także jedno z zadań, podejmowane przy organizacji Dni Otwartych Drzwi w ośrodkach w Elblągu, Katowicach, Zamościu i Tomaszowie Mazowieckim.
Realizacja profilaktyki wtórnej to organizowanie badań przesiewowych, np. mammografii, USG piersi, oznaczanie PSA pod kątem wykrycia nowotworów gruczołu krokowego i inne. Zorganizowaną formą działań są programy profilaktyczne.
Działania profilaktyczne kierowane są m.in. do osób aktywnych zawodowo. We współpracy z przedsiębiorcami prowadzone są pogadanki prozdrowotne, często połączone z pakietem badań. Grupę NU-MED w zakresie profilaktyki zdrowotnej wspiera Fundacja NU-MED.
Jakie badania profilaktyczne należy wykonywać i kiedy?
Badać powinnyśmy się raz w miesiącu, najlepiej kilka dni po miesiączce. Zaczynamy od dokładnego obejrzenia piersi. Oceniamy czy skóra nie jest zmieniona. Trzeba zwrócić uwagę na symetryczność brodawek, czy nie ma z nich wycieku, szczególnie budzi niepokój wyciek krwisty. Jeśli widać poszerzone naczynia krwionośne, tzw. „skórkę pomarańczową”, owrzodzenia skóry piersi należy udać się do onkologa Po obejrzeniu przechodzimy do badania okrężnym ruchem piersi. Zwracamy uwagę na wszelkie nierówności, zgrubienia, szczególnie guzki małe, twarde powinny nas zaalarmować. Pamiętajmy o zbadaniu dołów pachowych. Pierwszym objawem może być dyskomfort w pasze. Jeśli cokolwiek wzbudzi nasz niepokój w trakcie samobadania należy zwrócić się o pomoc do onkologa. Do Poradni Onkologicznej skierowanie nie jest wymagane.
A psycho-oncologist is a person who specialises in helping patients who are struggling with cancer, people who are recovered from the disease and their relatives and surroundings. The involvement of such a professional in the treatment process can take different dimensions - education, support and motivation, accompaniment, therapy to meet the needs of the patient.
The psycho-oncologist can accompany the patient from diagnosis, through the whole treatment process, to recovery or death. They use various means of support. One of these is the psychological conversation, during which the patient first of all has the opportunity to express his or her thoughts, emotions, fears and doubts about experiencing the illness. In the conversation, the patient has the chance to hear himself, to look at his attitude towards the illness. From the moment of diagnosis, in the initial and subsequent stages of treatment (during radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, etc.), we can benefit from support to find the strength and motivation to recover, to strengthen hope and to overcome crises. Patient involvement is an important aspect of the whole treatment process - this is also where the psycho-oncologist can help, by pointing out areas where the patient has influence.
From the psychologist we can learn about relaxation techniques, coping with stress or ‘discussing’ with our own thoughts to make them more healthy and supportive. When the condition deteriorates and the treatment is not successful, the psycho-oncologist can accompany the patient and his or her family in taking care of the quality of life of the patient and dealing with the difficulties associated with this stage of life, which is dying.
The oncological illness changes the previous life in every family. Sometimes communication between the patient and his or her loved ones is ineffective; talking to a psycho-oncologist about this can improve the relationship. Family members can benefit from the help of a psycho-oncologist when they do not know how to support their patient. Such meetings can help supporters to better understand the patient at all stages of treatment and disease progression. Sometimes the family needs to benefit from such help earlier than the patient himself is ready for it. The patient is the one who decides if and when he or she wants to use the support offered by the psycho-oncologist.
Prepared by: Milena Milczuk, psychooncologist CDiTO Zamość