Lifestyle Changes to Manage Kidney Cancer
by
Debra Wood, RN Lifestyle changes can help:
General GuidelinesQuit SmokingSmoking introduces toxic chemicals into the body. The kidney has to filter most of these toxins out of the blood. This not only increases the chance of cancer, but can decrease the efficiency of kidneys. Smoking can also increase the risk of complications from medical procedures and slow tissue healing. When you quit smoking, the body immediately begins to repair itself. Quitting will help boost your immune system to help fight the cancer, allow your kidneys to heal and improve recovery from treatment. Reduce Your Risk of Infection TOPCancer and its treatments suppress the body's immune system. This can increase the risk of infection, or increase the severity of common infections, like a cold or the flu. To decrease the risk of infection while going through cancer treatment:
Make Dietary Changes TOPA healthful diet can help your body and mood. Your diet can provide fuel to help your body function at its best, and nutrition to help tissue heal and recover. Mood and overall energy will also be better with proper nutritional support. Cancer itself and some cancer treatments can reduce your appetite. It becomes important to make the most of the calories that are eaten. A registered dietitian can help manage challenges that may be found with cancer or cancer treatments, and develop an effective meal plan. Exercise Regularly TOPIf you have not been exercising regularly, check with your doctor to choose a safe exercise program. Exercise has many benefits that may help you withstand the physical and emotional stresses of cancer and cancer treatment including:
You may consider consulting a personal trainer to help you set exercise goals and to safely follow through on initiating an exercise program. While adding exercise, be sure to balance rest and activities to prevent becoming too tired. Manage Fatigue TOPFatigue is the most frequently experienced symptom of cancer and cancer treatments. To help avoid getting overtired, prioritize tasks and focus on the most important ones. It is important to allow others to help you with daily chores, shopping, and preparing meals. If needed, plan time throughout the day for rest. If fatigue is affecting quality of life, talk to your doctor. Seek Support TOPThe diagnosis of cancer is a life-defining event that can be difficult to handle. Facing the uncertainty of a serious disease, feeling anxious about how you will feel during treatment, lifestyle changes, and worrying about the impact of both the diagnosis and treatment can be overwhelming. It is important to rely on family, friends, and other people in your life. People who allow themselves to seek help while they are recovering from cancer can often maintain better emotional balance. Other sources of support include:
Family and caregivers may also need support. Encourage them to seek support groups or counseling geared toward them. Comfort Measures TOPKidney cancer is especially difficult because it is usually found in advanced stages, making it harder to treat. Some people choose treatments to ease cancer complications or choose to stop treatment completely. Depending on your circumstances, it may be realistic to begin end-of-life planning. Considerations may include:
If you need guidance, talk to a member of your healthcare team. You can be referred to a trained professional to guide you through the process.
References:
Kidney cancer.
National Kidney Foundation website. Available at:
https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/kidneycancer.
Accessed January 3, 2017. Kidney cancer (adult)—renal cell carcinoma. American Cancer Society website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Accessed January 3, 2017. Renal cell carcinoma. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.... Updated March 14, 2016. Accessed January 3, 2017. Last reviewed December 2016 by Mohei Abouzied, MD Last Updated: 12/29/2015
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