The “Big C” is a word none of us wanna hear, especially nowadays. With times tough and money harder to come by, we’re all working longer, stressing more, and sleeping less than we should be. Unfortunately, cancer doesn’t care. Coming in more forms and types than you can count, cancer can strike when you least expect it.
Among Black women, one of the biggest ones to look out for is breast cancer. With the highest death rate from all cancers, and a higher death rate from breast cancer in particular (despite a lower prevalence than white folks), y’all need to be vigilant!
Black sisters are already experiencing delays in chemo and having worse reactions – like nausea and neuropathy.
But here’s the good news. If you’ve been diagnosed and are currently undergoing treatment, you’ve got options. No reason to be another statistic!
Here are five tips you’ve gotta try as you deal with all that yucky.
Love to eat? Don’t we all?
The problem is, that a lotta common cancer treatments can mess up our sense of taste. Sometimes you can’t taste a thing, and for other foods, it’s like you’re sucking on metal! Too sweet, too salty, or too chemical tasting – you know it all too well. But here’s the thing: you can mix it up.
In other words, change things around, and inject some flavor.
If you’ve been wanting to try that tempting barbecue sauce, some new spices and herbs, some maple syrup – whatever – now’s your chance. Use sugar to sweeten the salty, and salt to handle the sweet. Your best bet is to go for a variety of textures, colors, and temperatures. And if a bad taste still lingers, grab yourself some gum or mints.
RELATED: A Beginner’s Guide to Understanding Cancer Treatment Options
Speaking of eating, sometimes it ain’t about the taste buds, it’s about the stomach! If you’re finding you can’t keep it down no matter what, you’re not alone.
Tired of that yucky feeling in your tummy?
Start with the basics. First, stay hydrated with water or ginger ale. If fried or greasy foods get you goin’, avoid them! Also, try cold foods so the strong smell is weakened. Sometimes, simply clearing your mind by reading a book or meditating can help. But if all else fails, ask your doc about anti-nausea meds. When paired with ginger capsules, research shows they can work wonders!
Cancer treatment is hard enough, so time to soften it up. Having trouble chewing, swallowing, or digesting thanks to your treatment? No worries! Start by adding water or other tasty liquids to your meals. If that isn’t enough, opt for soft foods like stews, gravies, casseroles, and sauces. Remember, crockpots are your friend. Consider slow-cooker recipes with beans, vegetables, and tender meats. Foods like oatmeal are especially good if you have mouth sores.
If you’re losing weight, sub in milk and cream for water, and go for high-calorie drinks. And always, always, always eat slow, frequently, and in small portions. If need be, don’t be afraid to liquidize or puree your food as well!
Chemo’s no fun, but thank God there are ways to make it more manageable. One of the common side effects of this treatment is called chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), and boy can it be a bugger. Fortunately, there are ways to handle it. You can use things like cooling gloves, bags of ice, and mittens to deal with all that pain, tingling, and numbness.
Are hands and feet still giving you grief? Some patients swear by alternating hot and cold pads while others find relief in massages. If you’ve been wanting a manicure or pedicure, this is the perfect excuse!
Last but not least, is dealing with fatigue. Chronic and severe fatigue is pretty common among women (and men) undergoing cancer treatment. While you may think you just need to rest, rest, rest, this isn’t actually the case. Research shows that light exercise can actually increase your energy levels.
While short 15 to 20-minute ‘power naps’ are helpful, don’t spend all day lounging.
If you can, get up, get out, and go for an easy walk. Stay hydrated, avoid heavily caffeinated drinks, and try to plan your schedule according to when you have the most energy.
At the end of the day, dealing with cancer treatment is a doozy, but it’s not unmanageable. With the right tips and habits, you can take charge of your life and get back on your feet. Count your blessings, keep it simple, and you’ll be surprised how far you can go!
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