Suzanne Dixon
Portland
Epidemiologist, RD, Research & Medical Communications. Accurate health and medical information. Dispelling nutrition myths and fads. Opinions are my own.
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Articles by Suzanne Dixon
Asbestos Cigarette Filters
Asbestos.com is the nation’s most trusted mesothelioma resource The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com has provided patients and their loved ones the most updated and reliable information on mesothelioma and asbestos exposure since 2006. Our team of Patient Advocates includes a medical doctor, a registered nurse, health services administrators, veterans, VA-accredited Claims Agents, an oncology patient navigator and hospice care expert.
Colon Cancer: Signs, Symptoms, and Complications
As the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States,1 it's important to know the symptoms of colon cancer so you can do your best to catch it early, when it's most treatable. Some symptoms include cramping, belly pain, dark or bright red blood in your stool, or a change in your stool frequency, like persistent diarrhea or constipation.
Sugerencias de expertos para comer bien durante la quimioterapia
Esta pregunta plantea dos cuestiones muy importantes sobre qué alimentos son seguros durante la quimioterapia y cuáles deben evitarse. La primera cuestión que deben tener en cuenta las personas que reciben quimioterapia es el funcionamiento del sistema inmunitario y la seguridad de los alimentos. Esto resulta fundamental para las personas con un sistema inmunitario comprometido. Es posible que tengas que evitar ciertos alimentos para minimizar el riesgo de enfermedades transmitidas por estos.
Mesothelioma Fighting Foods: Recipes & More
Asbestos.com is the nation’s most trusted mesothelioma resource The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com has provided patients and their loved ones the most updated and reliable information on mesothelioma and asbestos exposure since 2006. Our team of Patient Advocates includes a medical doctor, a registered nurse, health services administrators, veterans, VA-accredited Claims Agents, an oncology patient navigator and hospice care expert.
Asbestos Cancer - Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer & Other Cancers
How Does Asbestos Cause Cancer? Asbestos is a unique mineral that can be pulled apart into flexible fibers. When a person inhales or swallows microscopic asbestos fibers, their body often cannot degrade or expel them. Over many years, the fibers cause inflammation and genetic changes that can lead to cancer. Lifestyle factors may increase your risk of developing cancer after asbestos exposure. These include smoking, heavy alcohol use, poor dietary habits and poor physical fitness.
Nutrition for Your Loved One After Mesothelioma Treatment
Mesothelioma and its treatment may cause a variety of side effects. These symptoms can diminish ability to eat well and lead to unintentional weight loss. If you’re caring for a loved one with mesothelioma, you can help that person meet their nutrition needs and avoid losing weight without trying. This is important because proper nutrition is a critical component of mesothelioma treatment.
Managing Unintentional Weight Loss During Mesothelioma Treatment
Mesothelioma cancer and its treatment may cause a variety of side effects. These symptoms can diminish a patient’s ability to eat well and lead to unintentional weight loss — a person losing weight without trying. Some patients put a positive spin on cancer-associated weight loss. Unfortunately, losing weight unintentionally during treatment can make your treatment harder and less effective. If your weight is decreasing and you’re not on a diet, it’s a red flag.
Asbestos-Related Diseases
Fact Checked Asbestos diseases include malignant conditions such as mesothelioma and lung cancer, and possibly ovarian and laryngeal cancers. Nonmalignant asbestos diseases include asbestosis, COPD, pleural plaques, pleural thickening, pleural effusion and atelectasis. Find a Mesothelioma Doctor What Diseases Can Be Caused by Asbestos? There are two major disease types caused by exposure to asbestos: Benign and malignant, or cancerous.
Understanding Asbestos-Caused Lung Cancer
Asbestos lung cancer refers to lung cancer caused by inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers. The two main types of asbestos lung cancer are small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Lung cancer caused by asbestos is very rare. Written by Suzanne Dixon, MPH, MS, RDN • Edited By Walter Pacheco • Medically Reviewed By Dr. Jacques Fontaine Our fact-checking process begins with a thorough review of all sources to ensure they are high quality.
Can Turmeric Bring the Fight to Mesothelioma?
When thinking about how to treat mesothelioma cancer, most of us don’t consider the spice rack. Maybe we should — beginning with turmeric. Turmeric is a deep golden-yellow spice used in Asian and Indian dishes. In addition to its culinary role, turmeric has been used for thousands of years as a traditional medicine. Research over the past few decades supports turmeric’s anti-cancer activity in the lab. Now, a 2017 study shows turmeric may have anti-cancer activity against mesothelioma cells, too.
Study Reveals Emotional Needs of People Exposed to Asbestos
There is very little information available on the psychological care needs of people with malignant mesothelioma. Even less is known about people who have been exposed to asbestos but do not have mesothelioma. A newly published systematic research review sheds light on the distress people experience in these situations. In March 2018, the American Journal of Industrial Medicine published an article highlighting the need for additional studies.
Cancer Treatment Less Effective in Older Patients
As age increases, so does the risk for cancer. More than half of all cancer cases occur in people over 65. This is especially true for mesothelioma. The average age at diagnosis for pleural mesothelioma — the most common form of the disease — is 69. Despite cancer being more common among the elderly, many cancer treatments work best in younger patients. Researchers now have an idea of why certain cancer treatments don’t work as well in older patients.
New Targeted Therapy May Benefit Mesothelioma Patients
For newly diagnosed mesothelioma patients, standard treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and multimodal therapy, which combines these options in various ways. However, more physicians are adding precision medicine to the mix, including targeted therapies such as immunotherapy or drugs aimed at a specific genetic mutation in a tumor. Clinical trials have shown a new drug called AZD5363 attacks a gene that is mutated in some mesothelioma tumors.
Study Combines PD-1 and CAR-T Immunotherapy to Treat Mesothelioma
At the 2019 American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting, Dr. Prasad Adusumilli from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center shared exciting new results from his study on combination immunotherapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Among the 18 mesothelioma patients in the study, 14 received a combination of two different immunotherapy treatments. Eleven of this group experienced a complete response, a partial response or stable disease.
Nutrition & Mesothelioma FAQs I Expert Answers
Good nutrition offers mesothelioma patients a concrete way to support their own health at a challenging time. Getting accurate and evidence-based answers to frequently asked questions about nutrition and cancer is a great place to start. This information can help you make the most of your diet and select foods that will nourish your body as you go through treatment.
Universal Flu Vaccine: Why It Matters for Mesothelioma Patients
Researchers are one step closer to what many health experts call the holy grail of influenza prevention: A universal flu vaccine. For mesothelioma patients, this will be an important medical advance. People with this cancer are among the groups most susceptible to the potentially deadly repercussions of catching the flu.
Nutrition for Mesothelioma Treatment I Before, During & After
Eating the right foods and maintaining proper nutrition before, during and after mesothelioma treatment promotes healing and improves your quality of life. Written by Suzanne Dixon, MPH, MS, RDN • Edited By Walter Pacheco Our fact-checking process begins with a thorough review of all sources to ensure they are high quality.
5 Things to Do After a Mesothelioma Diagnosis
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be frightening, stressful and overwhelming. What should I do first? What type of treatment is going to be recommended? How will I manage the financial impact of this disease? What will my family do? These and many other questions may be running through your head. This makes it hard to take positive steps to cope with the diagnosis. Focusing on concrete actions to take now can help you get organized and move forward.
Asbestos & Lung Cancer
Asbestos-related lung cancer treatment can involve various forms of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. When you receive a lung cancer diagnosis, your doctor will explain what type of tumor you have. There are two main types of lung cancer: Small cell and non-small cell. Small cell and non-small cell lung cancers grow, spread and react to treatments differently. When you receive your diagnosis, your doctor will also explain the stage your cancer is at in terms of its progression.
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