Yoga: Benefits for breast cancer, and poses

Research shows that people can control physical functions, such as breathing, heart rate, body temperature, and blood pressure, through yoga practice. By controlling these physical functions, yoga can help people reduce stress levels and improve feelings of relaxation and well-being.

Research also shows that people with breast cancer who do yoga may feel less stressed, enjoy a better quality of life, and experience lessTrusted Source fatigue.

One 2018 reviewTrusted Source found that low intensity forms of yoga, such as gentle Hatha and restorative yoga, are safe and effective for treating the following symptoms in people with cancer or survivors:

• fatigue
• sleep disruption
• cognitive impairment
• musculoskeletal symptoms

This article looks at whether yoga is safe for people with breast cancer. It also outlines poses as well as benefits and risks of practicing yoga for breast cancer patients and survivors.

Is it safe?

Researchers agree that people who are undergoingTrusted Source treatment for breast cancer and those who have completed their treatments can benefit from gentle yoga. Breast cancer patients and survivors can consider yoga as a complementary treatment for the symptoms of the illness.

Experts advise gentle exercise, such as yoga, at all stages of cancer, including before, during, and after treatment.

However, a person should always consult a doctor or physical therapist about starting physical activity, especially after surgery.

A person who has had surgery for breast cancer, such as a mastectomy, may experience arm and shoulder problems that certain yoga poses could aggravate. An experienced yoga instructor can modify poses to accommodate a person’s needs.

If, following surgery, a person experiences lymphedema, a condition in which extra lymph fluid builds up and causes swelling, they should consult with their doctor or physical therapist about safe and beneficial yoga poses.

Different poses and their benefits

Yoga has many benefits for breast cancer patients. For example, it:

• reduces fatigue
• betters quality of life
• lessens the symptoms of nausea
• increases relaxation

Gentle poses that do not strain the chest, arms, and shoulders can help people with breast cancer experience the benefits of yoga most effectively.

Learn about wider science-backed health benefits of yoga practice here.

It is advisable for people with breast cancer to practice these five poses:

1. Balasana

Balasana, or Child’s Pose, helps stretch the hips, thighs, and back muscles while relaxing the chest muscles.

1. Start on all fours.
2. Exhale and lower the hips toward the heels.
3. Reach the arms forward, outstretched.
4. Breathe slowly and keep the arms stretched out, with the hands on the floor and the palms facing up or down.
5. Bring the forehead to the floor.
6. Hold the pose for 4–12 breaths.

2. Dirga Pranayama

Dirga Pranayama, or Three-Part Breath, encourages deep, complete breathing and helps increase the supply of oxygen to the blood while releasing muscle tension. It also helps relieve stress and bring focus to the body.

The three parts refer to the diaphragm, chest, and abdomen.

1. Breathe in deeply as if filling the stomach, lungs, and chest with air.
2. Exhale completely.
3. Repeat until feeling more relaxed.

3. Viparita Karani

Also known as Legs Up the Wall Pose, Viparita Karani takes pressure off the neck and spine and encourages circulation and relaxation.

1. Position the body next to a wall. Bring the knees close to the chest while lying on one side.
2. Exhale and roll onto the back.
3. Bring the legs up the wall.
4. Keep the legs straight and firm and let the shoulders and back sink into the floor.
5. Draw the head and neck away from the shoulders, extending the arms out to the sides, with the palms up.
6. Remain in the pose for 5–10 minutes and relax into it while concentrating on breathing.
7. To release the pose, bend the knees and roll onto the right side.

4. Uttanasana

This pose, also known as Standing Forward Bend, stretches the calves, hamstrings, and hips, relieving tension in the neck, spine, and back muscles.

1. Begin by standing upright with feet hip-distance apart.
2. Exhale and slowly hinge forward at the hips, bending the knees as much as necessary.
3. Reach the hands down toward the floor, placing the palms or fingertips on the floor or blocks.
4. Release the head and neck toward the ground.
5. Breathe and hold for 4–8 breaths.
6. To release the pose, bend the knees more while keeping the back long and inhale as you return to standing.

5. Savasana

Savasana, or Corpse Pose, helps calm the mind and relieve feelings of stress.

1. Lie with the back flat on the floor and stretch the legs out. If this feels uncomfortable, bend the knees and place the feet on the floor.
2. Extend the arms down by your sides, with the palms facing up.
3. Place a rolled-up blanket or towel under the knees if there is tension in the lower back.
4. Relax into the pose and breathe naturally.
5. Relax the jaw and let go of tension in the back, neck, and face.
6. Stay in this pose with the eyes closed for 5–15 minutes.

Risks

Breast cancer patients and survivors who practice gentle yoga that has been approved by a healthcare professional should face no adverse effects or risks.

A person with breast cancer should avoid any poses that put stress on their shoulders, chest, or arms, such as Plank Pose.

However, people should remain cautious of potential injury. Risks may include:

Lymphedema

Strenuous yoga poses may present the risk of lymphedema for people who have had lymph nodes removed during breast cancer surgery.

Lymphedema causes swelling due to excess fluid. It may affect a person’s arms or legs.

A yoga instructor who has experience with breast cancer patients and survivors will be able to decide which poses and types of yoga are safe.

A person who has had breast cancer should therefore always talk with a yoga instructor before starting a class.

Fracture

People with bone metastasis, where breast cancer has spread to the bone, may be at risk of fracture during yoga.

A person with bone metastasis should consult a healthcare professional on whether yoga is a safe activity for them. They could also try guided imagery meditation instead.

Learn more relaxation tips here.

Summary

Research shows breast cancer patients and survivors can benefit from yoga in various ways. For example, it can help them feel less fatigued and more relaxed, allowing them to enjoy a better quality of life.

People with breast cancer and those who are breast cancer survivors should practice gentle yoga and do poses that do not strain the chest, arm, or shoulder areas.

To ensure that their yoga practice is safe, they should seek guidance from a healthcare professional about which poses not to include in order to avoid potential risks, such as lymphedema and fractures due to metastasis.

Fonte: MNT

As informações e sugestões contidas neste blog são meramente informativas e não devem substituir consultas com médicos especialistas.

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What to know about immunotherapy for breast cancer

Medically reviewed by Christina Chun, MPH — Written by Beth Sissons on May 27, 2021

Immunotherapy is a treatment option for some types of breast cancer. It uses medications to stimulate the immune system to destroy cancer cells.

Immunotherapy drugs work with an individual’s immune system to help it recognize and attack breast cancer cells. Doctors may use immunotherapy by itself or in combination with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or other treatments.

This article looks at the currently available immunotherapy treatments in more detail, including how they work and which types of breast cancer they may treat.

Immunotherapy definition 

Immunotherapy is a treatment method for some types of breast cancer. It uses drugs that stimulate the immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells. These medications include immunomodulators and targeted antibodies.

How it may treat breast cancer

Cells in the body contain proteins called immune checkpoints. These immune system regulators signal that cells are healthy.

Immune checkpoints allow the immune system to fight infected or diseased cells while preventing it from attacking healthy tissues.

The immune system is complex and involves different types of cells, including T cells, which circulate the body checking for disease or infection. These specialized cells examine other cells to identify immune checkpoints.

If the immune system does not recognize proteins within cells, it attacks them. This process is essential in allowing the body to fight diseases and infections.

Sometimes, the immune system does not fight off breast cancer cells effectively. There are two main reasons for this.

Firstly, precancerous or early cancerous cells are similar to healthy cells. The immune system may not recognize them as harmful until breast cancer develops further. Secondly, as cancerous cells develop, they can change genetically to prevent the immune system from detecting them and identifying them as harmful. Cancer cells can also grow and multiply quickly, which can overwhelm the immune system.

Immunotherapy drugs can help support the immune system to destroy cancer cells. Doctors may prescribe various options, depending on the type of breast cancer.

Immunomodulators

Cancer cells can contain immune checkpoints that prevent the immune system from attacking them.

PD-1 and PD-L1 are two types of immune checkpoint proteins. T cells contain PD-1, and healthy cells contain PD-L1. These proteins bind, which prevents T cells from destroying healthy cells.

Cancer cells can contain PD-L1, which prevents T cells from destroying them. Immune checkpoint inhibitors stop PD-1 from binding to PD-L1, which allows T cells to kill cancer cells.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are drugs that block immune checkpoints on cancerous cells or the T cells that see them as healthy. The immune system can then identify the cells as harmful and attack them.

Targeted antibodies

Immune targeted therapies, or targeted antibodies, recognize specific markers on cancer cells and stop these cells from growing.

Other targeted therapies work in the same way as the body’s natural antibodies and help the immune system recognize cancer cells as harmful.

People may also use immunotherapy in combination with other treatments, such as chemotherapy, to target cancer cells.

Vaccines

Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet approved any vaccines for breast cancer treatment, research is ongoing.

Immunotherapy medications

The type and stage of breast cancer will determine what type of immunotherapy a person receives.

Immunomodulators

There are currently two FDA-approved immune checkpoint inhibitors: Tecentriq (atezolizumab) and Keytruda (pembrolizumab).

Tecentriq

Tecentriq inhibits PD-L1 proteins, and doctors may use it to treat:

• metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)
• PD-L1-positive breast cancer
• locally advanced breast cancer where surgery is not effective

Doctors may use Tecentriq alongside a chemotherapy drug called Abraxane (albumin-bound or nab-paclitaxel) to target advanced triple-negative breast cancer.

Keytruda

Keytruda inhibits PD-1 proteins. Doctors may use Keytruda alongside chemotherapy to target triple-negative breast cancer that has spread to other areas of the body or has returned locally and is not treatable with surgery.

Targeted antibodies

Targeted antibodies include:

• Perjeta (pertuzumab): For HER2-positive breast cancer.
• Trodelvy (sacituzumab govitecan): For triple-negative breast cancer.
• Herceptin (trastuzumab): For HER2-positive breast cancer.
• Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan): For advanced HER2-positive breast cancer.
• Kadcyla (trastuzumab emtansine): For HER2-positive breast cancer.

How and when to take medication

The American Cancer Society states that people taking Tecentriq will need to receive it intravenously every 2 weeks. Those on Keytruda will receive it intravenously every 3–6 weeks.

Currently, there is no clear time frame for how long immunotherapy may take to work. More research is necessary to confirm the ideal duration of treatment.

Doctors may give targeted antibodies as a single injection or as a course of injections spanning several months. In some cases, they may use this treatment alongside chemotherapy.

Effectiveness

According to the Cancer Research Institute (CRI), HER2-directed immunotherapy treatment is highly effective. However, only about 20% of people who have high levels of HER2 expression respond to this type of treatment.

Even with treatment, HER2-positive breast cancer can progress or recur, creating the need for other treatment methods.

Researchers are testing immunotherapy with chemotherapy. In a 2018 studyTrusted Source, researchers trialed adding Tecentriq to nab-paclitaxel in people with metastatic TNBC who had not previously received treatment for this cancer. They found that some of the participants did benefit from this combination, but others had to discontinue the treatment due to side effects. In March 2019, the FDA approved this treatment combination.

Experts believe that a combination of immunotherapy treatments, such as using a vaccine alongside monoclonal antibodies or chemotherapy, may be more effective in stimulating an immune response.

Side effects

Immunotherapy drugs may cause side effects, which can include:

• fatigue
• cough
• nausea
• skin rash
• loss of appetite
• constipation
• diarrhea

In some cases, more serious side effects can occur, although these are less common.

Some people may have an infusion reaction when taking drugs intravenously. The symptoms are similar to those of an allergic reaction and can include:

• fever
• chills
• facial flushing
• a rash
• itching
• dizziness
• wheezing
• difficulty breathing

Immunotherapy removes some of the protection against healthy cells. Without this protection, the individual may experience an autoimmune reaction, meaning that the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues. Corticosteroids can help suppress the immune system and reduce potential autoimmune reactions.

If people experience any side effects from immunotherapy drugs, they should let their healthcare team know immediately. If the side effects are severe, a person may have to stop the treatment.

Clinical trials

Immunotherapy drugs are relatively new treatments, and research is ongoing to confirm how best to use them. If people want to learn about immunotherapy treatment for breast cancer, they can talk with their healthcare team about local clinical trial options.

The CRI states that current FDA-approved immunotherapy treatments are unlikely to cure advanced breast cancer. However, researchers are currently studying new immunotherapy treatments, many of which are producing promising results. People with advanced breast cancer may, therefore, wish to consider taking part in clinical trials exploring newer treatment options.

The CRI has a database where people can search for clinical trials that are currently enrolling participants.

Summary

Immunotherapy is a relatively new treatment method for cancer that stimulates the immune system to attack cancer cells. It can effectively treat some types of breast cancer.

Whether immunotherapy is successful for an individual depends on doctors finding the best approach for the type and stage of cancer. Immunotherapy may work better if doctors combine it with other treatments.

These therapies are relatively new, and research into their use is ongoing. If people want to find out about current clinical trials using immunotherapy for breast cancer treatment, they can discuss the options with their healthcare team or directly search for trials using the National Library of Medicine’s clinical trials database.

Fonte: MNT

As informações e sugestões contidas neste blog são meramente informativas e não devem substituir consultas com médicos especialistas.

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Eat These 7 Mushrooms to Live Longer

The idea of “food as medicine” may be a bit hard to swallow, especially if you have a gourmand’s palate. What if you could fight a host of diseases and even increase your longevity, just by adding a few delicious servings of fungus to your diet every day?  

Paul Stamets, renowned mycologist (that’s a mushroom expert) and TedTalk favorite, fervently believes that mushrooms can save the world. He describes fungi as “the grand molecular disassemblers of nature” due to their transformative ability to generate humus soils from decomposing organic materials. Fungi turn the decay of nature into nutrients for plants, trees, animals, and humans alike. As part of this amazing dance of biosynthesis, mushrooms alchemize Earth’s most powerful elements for the benefit of mankind. Fungi produce our best antibiotics, and have medicinal potential for a host of diseases. Certain varieties of mushroom possess psychotropic properties that have been prized since at least the beginning of recorded time, with some scientists even proclaiming that “magic mushrooms” are the key to human evolution. But these beneficial attributes merely scratch the surface of what the fungi kingdom are up to, which is apt, since most of fungi’s prolific activities take place below where our eyes can see.

 The fungi kingdom represents a distinct type of organism, separate from animals, plants, and bacteria. Like animals, fungi absorb nutrients from the environment and excrete digestive enzymes, in the case of mushrooms, into the surrounding soil. Mycelium are the unseen part of mushrooms that extend below the soil. Strongly resembling neural networks, thread-like roots known as hyphae can extend for miles into the Earth, absorbing nutrients and decomposing organic materials. In his book, Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World, Paul Stamets established his belief that mycelia are the “neurological network of nature.” Intrinsically aware of their host’s needs, Paul believes mushrooms are sentient, “devising diverse enzymatic and chemical responses to complex challenges” perceived in their environment. Beyond sentience, Paul explains that mushrooms possess a co-creative consciousness, and it would benefit humanity greatly to learn how to interface: “Because these externalized neurological nets sense any impression upon them, from footsteps to falling tree branches, they could relay enormous amounts of data regarding the movements of all organisms through the landscape."

Paul’s recently published research explores another fundamental way in which fungi communicate with humanity: through our digestive systems. Mushrooms are prebiotic, boosting the microbiome’s beneficial bacteria, such as Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium, improving digestion and overall health. Recent independent research shows that certain varieties of mushroom are also our best dietary sources for potent antioxidants, such as sulfur-rich ergothioneine, and the “major biological antioxidant,” glutathione. A diet rich in antioxidants like ergothioneine and glutathione protects cells from free radicals, helping the body withstand normal oxidative stress that damages healthy cells. In addition to boosting longevity, mushrooms pack a serious nutritional punch, providing a great source of vitamin D, essential for strong immune system function.

Adding almost any type of edible mushroom to your diet will provide a healthy dose of nutrients, but there are some mushrooms that stand out from the rest. A recent study conducted at The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine tested eleven species of mushroom to determine which varieties possessed the strongest antioxidant properties. Of the 11 species tested, the top 7 mushrooms with the strongest antioxidant constituents are also some of the most nutritionally dense. According to this latest research, these are the 7 mushrooms we should be eating, ranked in order:

1. Porcini

Porcini are a large mushroom, with a cap that can reach up to 12 inches in diameter. Popular in Italian cuisine, porcini mushrooms represent a few different varieties, are typically reddish-brown in color, possess a thick stem, and are slightly sticky to the touch. This species of mushroom fruits from summer to fall, so you can find them most of the year in specialty markets. If you’re a forager, search for porcini mushrooms in the mulchy undergrowth of hardwood forests with pine, chestnut, hemlock, and spruce trees.

2. Golden Oyster

Golden Oyster mushrooms are typically cultivated rather than wild-harvested, making them a great mushroom to grow at home. They grow in virtually anything, using straw mats and ordinary compost, with mushroom “starters” from inoculation kits that can be purchased in specialty stores. They possess a golden hue, grow in clusters, and have a nutty, slightly bitter flavor.

3. Pioppino

Pioppino mushrooms, often called Velvet Pioppino due to the velvety-brown appearance of their small caps, grow on decaying logs or at the mulchy base of hardwood trees. Pioppinos have a mild, slightly peppery flavor, making them a popular choice for adding to recipes. They grow in clusters on long, sturdy stems, are smaller in size (caps are only about 2 centimeters wide), and retain a firm texture when cooked.

4. Oyster

Oysters are among the most common and versatile mushrooms. Easy to cultivate, oysters grow mainly on decaying wood and possess a slightly sweet, anise-like smell. Called “oysters” due to having a similar appearance to the sea creature, the mycelia of oyster mushrooms eat small roundworms and bacteria, making them one of the few carnivorous mushroom species. Colors range from green, to pink, to yellow, depending on the variety. Fluted caps span from two-to-eight inches, with white gills on the underside, and a short, stubby stem.

5. Lions mane

It’s easy to see how the Lion’s Mane mushroom got its name! This popular edible and medicinal mushroom has exceptional neuroprotective powers, thanks to its ability to stimulate synthesis of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). NGF is a protein that plays a major role in the maintenance, survival, and regeneration of neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Known to improve memory and mood, Lion’s Mane mushrooms are a staple in traditional Chinese medicine, and can be found in supplement form as a powder or tincture in many health food stores. If you’d rather enjoy their meaty texture in a meal, sauté them in butter to intensify the flavor, or boil them as a meat replacement in soup or stew.

6. Maitake

Found in clusters, typically at the base of oak trees, maitake mushrooms have potent anti-cancer properties. A polypore mushroom, maitakes lack the distinctive gills on the underside of the cap. Multiple caps emerge in layers from a single, thick underground stem, and can grow quite large. The entire “fruit body” can weigh 50 pounds or more, with a single cap growing as wide as twelve inches in diameter. Caps range from white to brown, are semi-firm when cooked, and possess a slightly earthy flavor that takes on the taste of your chosen cooking medium. Maitakes have been researched for a variety of health benefits, including lowering cholesterol and blood glucose in rats.  

7. Shiitake

Shiitake mushrooms are one of the most popular mushrooms in the world, and for good reason. Revered in Asia for centuries for their potent medicinal properties, shiitake mushrooms have become a symbol of longevity in some cultures. Hearty and versatile, shiitakes can be consumed raw or cooked, and are found in powdered supplement form in many herbal pharmacies. Shiitakes grow in clusters on decaying hardwood trees, and are also commonly cultivated for food and medicinal uses. A classic umbrella shape, shiitakes are both beautiful and substantial. Caps range from white to light brown with white spots, and can reach up to eight inches in diameter. Cooking releases a “garlic pine” aroma and a rich, earthy flavor. Good luck for us - shiitakes are available year-round in most areas.

For additional research on the health benefits of mushrooms, visit our database on the subject. 

Fonte: GreenMedInfo

As informações e sugestões contidas neste blog são meramente informativas e não devem substituir consultas com médicos especialistas.

É muito importante (sempre) procurar mais informações sobre os assuntos