Author: ICanCaRe

Innovative Cancer Care and Rehabilitation Pvt. Ltd. (ICanCaRe) is a health tech start-up working in providing innovative solutions in the field of cancer prevention, care & rehabilitation, striving to make life comfortable and easy beyond cancer for all winners and survivors. ICanCaRe is recognized as Start-up by DPIIT, Government of India, incubated at Gujarat University Start-up and Entrepreneurship Council (GUSEC), and is a lifetime member of Millennial India International Chamber of Commerce Industry & Agriculture (MIICCIA). ICanCaRe in its mission "SAVE the Youth" runs two popular campaigns #knowtobacco and #chotadaana. ICanCaRe is in the business of tobacco Cessation (QUIT TOBACCO) as a means of tobacco control through a clinically validated protocol intervention model, and capacity building for the same by Gujarat University accredited certified specialist courses.

FAQ: Life After Breast Surgery*

faq

Just as before the surgery it is important to build a wardrobe of choices. It is important to keep a variety of styles of bras and prostheses. Multiple options will provide many different combinations that allow for choices according to your daily activity level.

*Every person heals differently and stages may vary.
Q: Why is wearing a breast prosthesis important for a post-mastectomy patient?
While recreating a pre-surgery appearance helps meet the psychological need for a positive self-esteem, the use of a breast prosthesis also serves a physiological purpose by restoring natural balance and carriage of body weight. Not wearing a breast prosthesis, can create:
• Spinal curvature
• Shoulder drop
• Balance problems
• Muscle contractual and stretching/neck and back pain
• Clothing to fit inappropriately due to chest wall variations

Q: When wearing a breast prosthesis, why is wearing a post-mastectomy bra recommended?
A pocketed post-mastectomy bra is advised because…
• The pocketed bra creates security for the prosthesis and allows the form to move with the body.
• The mastectomy bra is designed to allow a higher fit under the arm where tissue may be missing.
• The straps are set closer in the back to help balance the prosthesis weight.
• Side frames help support, anchor, and balance the band around the body.

Q: If reconstruction is planned, will a prosthesis be needed?
Since decisions related to reconstruction need not be scheduled at the time of the initial surgery, patients can choose to bridge the time with a prosthesis that maintains body alignment and provides shape to the individual profile.

Q: How often should fittings be repeated?
It is suggested that new measurements be taken as often as every 6 months until the body has stabilized. Anatomical changes may include swelling, weight loss/gain and changes in shape.

Q: When am I allowed to get new garments and/or prostheses?
Most insurances allow at least 6 new garments per year. Many insurances will say as medically necessary; which is about 8-10 per year. It is important to remember the expected lifetime of a bra is only 6 months. A silicone prosthesis can be replaced once every two
years. And a foam form can get replaced once every six months. However, everyone’s insurance is different and will need to be contacted before new garments and prostheses are provided.

Q: Do the silicone or foam prostheses trigger security alarms at airports or in retail department stores?
Silicone prostheses are not known to trigger alarm systems. However, materials used in the weighted foam prosthesis are made up of a metal/gel weight and could potentially be sensitive to security alarms. If you have a foam prosthesis just be aware that the prosthesis does contain metal. But it does not need to be a concern, it’s just important to be aware. If you are concerned a prescription from your physician can be provided.

Q: Can a silicone breast prosthesis be used in the swimming pool, hot tub, or salt water?
Many manufacturers indicate their products can be used in either a swimming pool or hot tub, but we will suggest that a specifically designed swim form be used if you are in chlorinated water regularly. Otherwise, the breast form you were provided with can be worn in a pool or hot tub. The prosthesis will need to be washed well with a mild soap and left to air dry after each use.

Supportive Cancer Care

ICanCare
Supportive care makes excellent cancer care possible, supported by excellent science to enhance the lives of people on the cancer journey.

The critical importance of supportive cancer care is increasingly being recognized.

ICANCARE will provide the newest information on the symptoms and complications of cancer treatment, methods to minimize cancer induced side effects and common psychosocial challenges.

Supportive Care?

Supportive Care in Cancer is the prevention and management of the adverse effects of cancer and its treatment. This includes management of physical and psychological symptoms and side effects across the continuum of the cancer experience from diagnosis through anticancer treatment to post-treatment care. Enhancing rehabilitation, secondary cancer prevention, survivor ship and end of life care are integral to Supportive Care.

* Alleviates symptoms and complications of cancer

* Reduces or prevents toxicities of treatment

* Supports communication with patients about their disease and prognosis

* Allows patients to tolerate and benefit from active therapy more easily

* Eases emotional burden of patients and care givers

* Helps cancer survivors with psychological and social problems

ICANCARE is committed to make the cancer journey a pleasurable experience.

Together we can…..

Cancer Survival Rates

ICanCare
Cancer survival rates, how to interpret:

One of the first questions many people ask when first diagnosed with cancer is about their prognosis. They might want to know whether the cancer is relatively easy or more difficult to cure. The doctor cannot predict the future, but often he/she gives the estimates based on the experiences of other people with the same cancer. Survival statistics can be confusing and frightening. Survival rates cannot tell about the situation specifically. The statistics may be impersonal and not very helpful.

Cancer survival rates or survival statistics indicate the percentage of people who survive a certain type of cancer for a specific amount of time. Cancer statistics often use a five–year survival rate. For instance, the five–year survival rate for prostate cancer is 99 percent. That means that of all men diagnosed with prostate cancer, 99 of every 100 lived for five years after diagnosis. Conversely, one out of every 100 will die of prostate cancer within five years.

Cancer survival rates are based on research that comes from information gathered on hundreds or thousands of people with cancer. An overall survival rate includes people of all ages and health conditions diagnosed with the cancer, including those diagnosed very early and those diagnosed very late. Only the treating doctor may be able to give more specific statistics based on the stage of cancer. For instance, 49 percent, or about half, of people diagnosed with early–stage lung cancer live for at least five years after diagnosis. The five–year survival rate for people diagnosed with lung cancer that has spread (metastasized) to other areas of the body is 2 percent. Overall and relative survival rates do not specify whether cancer survivors are still undergoing treatment at five years or if they’ve become cancer free (achieved remission). The five year survival rates for all men is 47.3–66%% and for all women is 55.8–63%.

Other terms:

  • Disease–free survival rate. This is the number of people with cancer who achieve remission. That means they no longer have signs of cancer in their bodies.
  • Progression–free survival rate. This is the number of people who still have cancer, but their disease isn’t progressing. This includes people who may have had some success with treatment, but their cancer hasn’t disappeared completely.

(Emedinews, August 4th)