Gallbladder cancer is the 20th most common cancer worldwide. It accounts for only about 1 percent of incidence of all cancers, yet survival rates are low because it is often not diagnosed until the advanced stages.
The gallbladder is a small sac-like organ that forms part of the biliary tract. Bile, produced in the liver, flows into the gallbladder where it is stored and concentrated until released into the small intestine.
Normally, we are born with two working copies of these cancer protection genes in each cell (as pictured below). It is normal for cells to divide and multiply, and sometimes certain genes acquire mutations along the way. Acquired mutations can happen due to a variety of reasons (both in and out of our control) that may include environmental exposures, certain infections, normal aging, and lifestyle factors (diet, activity level, tobacco use, alcohol use, sun exposure, etc.).
Finding out you tested positive for a gene mutation associated with an inherited risk for cancer can lead to experiencing feelings of anxiety, fear, or in some cases, even peace as it may provide clarity. Amidst the whirlwind of feelings running through your head, you think “who needs to know about this result?” and “what do I say?”. Because your result is indicative of a hereditary cancer risk, sharing your positive test result with family members is one of the most impactful things you can do. However, sometimes this is easier said than done.
This colorful quinoa avocado salad is full of vibrant flavors with the addition of zesty lemons and fresh cilantro. It is also rich in cancer-fighting foods including omega-3-rich avocados combined with fiber-rich quinoa, chickpeas and fresh vegetables. The dish is plant-based, but hearty and filling enough to be a satisfying meal for everyone.
Do you have trouble staying asleep at night? Do you find it hard to relax? Have you felt like electricity is running through your body? Does your heart pound when you are experiencing stress? Do you have trouble with racing and repeating thoughts? If your answer is yes to any of these symptoms, you may be experiencing anxiety.
Over the past 100 years, the understanding of how nutrition affects our bodies has developed exponentially. What used to be general recommendations and blanket statements, has evolved to individualized approaches that consider an a person’s environment, biology, lifestyle, and disease state. Since the knowledge of nutrition has expanded, the understanding of what we should and should not eat can be difficult to navigate. This growth in knowledge paved the way for specialized training and the creation of nutrition professionals. Especially in the realm of oncology, nutrition plays a vital role in the risk and development of cancer, quality of life during treatment, success of treatment, and decreased risk of reoccurrence while in remission.
Need a healthy holiday option that’s quick and easy to make? Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers has you…
For many people, the holiday season is a time filled with stress, anxiety and tension, all leading to…
https://vimeo.com/767079066 Ingredients 1 small bunch mint, about 15 sprigs, preferably spearmint 4 3-inch cinnamon sticks 1-2 thin slices…
https://vimeo.com/767078067 Ingredients 2 cans (15-oz.) no-salt-added chickpeas, drained, liquid reserved 5 garlic cloves, minced 1/3 cup tahini 5…
Happy New Year! One New Year’s tradition that I have practiced for the last two years that brings…
As the holidays are approaching this is a good time to remind ourselves that healthy boundaries are important….
Many patients going through chemotherapy treatment report having chemo brain, other cancer treatments like radiation, as well as the cancer itself, can cause similar symptoms that produce problems with memory and thinking. The term chemo brain or brain fog generally describes a variety of troublesome symptoms that include feeling spacey, having difficulty processing information as well as trouble with word recall and short-term memory. These symptoms can interfere with your ability to function at work or home. They generally will subside within months of completing treatment, but some may be affected for many years after treatment is complete.
Let’s set the scene. Your loved one comes home and is nauseous, fatigued, and hasn’t eaten anything all day. You want to help, so you whip up their favorite dish and serve it to them. They take two bites and say “I’m not hungry” or “this tastes awful”. It is hard enough dealing with the schedules, the side effects, and the worry that comes with taking care of a loved one with cancer; but, when you can’t show your love and support through food, it can be disheartening.
It’s breast cancer awareness month, and with that comes an opportunity to provide education and recognition about the…
It’s October! Which means time for pumpkins and Christmas Decorations Is it a fruit or a vegetable? It’s…
Many physical changes can occur to your body during treatment of breast cancer. These could include hair loss,…
Exercise is medicine. Not only can it be an effective tool to ward off illness, but it will…
One of the challenging side effects of some chemotherapies used to treat cancer is hair loss. Not all chemotherapy treatments cause an individual to lose their hair or have hair thinning. This can be very emotional and distressful for a patient.
During conversations with your Oncologist prior to beginning treatment, they may mention cooling caps as an alternative to hair loss. There are no guarantees that the products will work and cooling caps are not covered by your insurance. Patients can seek out the caps and pay for them on their own for use at Ironwood. We would like to take a moment to share some facts and research on the use and success of these products.
Since the beginning of 2020 and the genesis of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been much concern about…
Light, fruity, flavorful mocktails are so simple—and good. Thanks to fruit, sparkling water, spices and herbs, you can make this alcohol-free, added-sugar free beverage shine with a refreshing taste. Visit our Eat Well Live Well playlist on our IGTV to make this delicious mocktail
Every diet, whether having cancer, going through active treatment, living an active lifestyle, or living day-to-day requires protein…
Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers are committed to the advancement of medical knowledge and patient care. Medical research…
When you decide to pursue hereditary cancer genetic testing, you probably expect a straightforward yes or no answer:…
Ingredients 1 ½ cups blueberries ½ cup whole milk ½ cup spinach ½ banana ¼ cup protein powder…
Ingredients ½ cup cashews 1 cup pineapple chunks, frozen 1 cup kale, de-stemmed and torn into pieces ½…
August is Family Fun Month which makes it the opportune time to enjoy family with extra fun and activities! So why not start a tradition and make some memories with cooking? When you cook together, it’s a chance to press pause, tune out distractions, and tune into each other with the added benefit of exploring new recipes, ingredients, flavors, all while producing a scrumptious end product of nourishment.
Caregiving for a loved one with cancer can be difficult with all of the various aspects that need…
I doubt you knew you could eat your water, but there are so many foods rich in fluid…
