October 16, 2021 Issue, Page 14 of 18

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14 October 16, 2021 How breast cancer treatments can affect the immune system Treatment for breast cancer cer have increased dramati- credited to cancer research- are healthy and normal. So ing, less healthy patients. radiation, CAR T-cell therapy, is highly effective. Five-year cally in recent decades, and ers and campaigns designed chemotherapy can damage However, Susan G. Komen stem cell transplants, and survival rates for breast can- much of that success can be to inform women about the cells throughout the body, notes that the median age even immunotherapy can af- importance of screenings. including those in bone mar- for breast cancer diagnosis fect the immune system. Sur- Breast cancer is highly row. When bone marrow is in the United States is 63, so gery can overtax the immune How to reduce risk of cally treatable, but treatment typi- damaged, it’s less capable many patients are likely to be system and compromise its leads to some unwanted of producing sufficient red affected by the impact that ability to prevent infections side effects. According to blood cells, white blood cells treatment can have on their and heal wounds caused by breast cancer recurrence Johns Hopkins Medicine, and platelets. Breastcancer. immune systems. The length the procedure. Like chemo- A breast cancer diagnosis can port groups can connect women women undergoing _treat- org notes that the body is of treatment and amount of therapy, radiation therapy change patients’ lives in ways with fellow breast cancer sur- ment for breast cancer may more vulnerable to infection medicines patients receive can damage healthy cells they never imagined. That's es- vivors, and women should not experience a host of side ef- when it does not have enough also can affect the impact of and lead to an increased risk pecially so in the rare instances hesitate to discuss any fears or fects, including fatigue, pain, white blood cells. chemotherapy on patients’ of infection. And while im- when women under 40 are diag- concerns with their doctors. It’s headaches, and dental issues. Does chemotherapy always immune systems. Breastcan- munotherapy is designed to nosed with the disease. also vital that women prioritize Cancer treatments, most no- weaken the immune system? cer.org notes that being ad- boost the immune system by According to the American their physical well-being. Rou- tably chemotherapy, also can ‘The effects of chemother- ministered two or more che- helping it recognize and at- tine exercise and a healthy diet Cancer Society, it’s uncommon can help women reduce stress take a toll on women’s im- apy on the immune system motherapy medicines at once tack cells more effectively, it for women under 40 to receive and maintain a healthy weight, mune systems. depend on various factors. is more likely to affect the also can lead to an overactive a breast cancer diagnosis. In which can reduce risk for recur- Why does chemotherapy According to Breastcancer. immune system than just one immune system that attacks fact, data from the ACS indicates rence. affect the immune system? org, a patient's age and over- medication. healthy cells. that only about 4 percent of all + Stay on top of screenings Cancer is caused by an all health may influence the Other treatments Cancer treatment is often women diagnosed with breast and vaccinations. Another way uncontrolled division of ab- effects of chemotherapy Chemotherapy is not the highly effective. However, pa- cancer in the United States are to reduce the risk of cancer re- normal cells in the body. Ac- on their immune systems. only treatment that can af- tients may need to work with under age 40. But 4 percent is currence is to stay up-to-date cording to Breastcancer.org, Young, healthy patients fect breast cancer patients’ their physicians to combat nothing to brush aside, espe- on screenings, flu shots and vac- cially when the ACS estimates cinations. Annual physicals and chemotherapy targets these may be less vulnerable to immune systems. The Can- treatment side effects that that more than 300,000 women screenings for cardiovascular abnormal cells, but also can infections from weakened cer Treatment Centers of can adversely affect their im- in the United States are diag- conditions like high cholesterol affect fast-growing cells that immune systems than ag- America® notes that surgery, mune systems. nosed with breast cancer each and diabetes can help women FAITH year. That means roughly 12,000 women under 40 in the U.S. will stay on a healthy path forward. be diagnosed with breast can- + Monitor vitamin D levels. cer this year, and many of those Johns Hopkins Medicine notes women will understandably ex- that the Nurses Health Study press concerns about cancer re- found a link between low levels currence in the years to come. of vitamin D and breast cancer ‘The medical experts at Johns incidence. It remains unknown Hopkins Medicine note that if vitamin D supplements can learning to cope with fears of tice: FEXR | lower risk of breast cancer recur- breast cancer recurrence is an rence, but maintaining sufficient important part of the recov- ery process. Those same ex- levels of vitamin D can promote perts note that various lifestyle overall health. Women can speak changes can help women regain with their physicians about vita- their health, strength and opti- min D and which supplements mism and quell any fears they to consider. In addition, spend- have about cancer recurrence. ing 20 minutes per day in the + Take care of yourself, both sunshine while wearing sun- emotionally and _ physically. screen with a minimum SPF of a a 7 DEBBIE SIMPSON join... Johns Hopkins Medicine urges 30 can help women reach recom- breast cancer survivors to put re) mended levels of vitamin D. TERI HAFFNER their own needs first sometimes. ‘That can be difficult for younger Cancer recurrence is a sig- ww breast cancer survivors with nificant concern for survivors. “™LYOLA STEFFES AaB exnhnc children at home, but prioritiz~ However, various strategies can ing their own emotional well- help women reduce their risk for being can help women overcome their fears of recurrence. Sup- recurrence and help them regain their optimism for the future. CASEY RATLIFF ~~ FACT: There are over 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. ) AWARENESS CANCER Great Plains Bank 2017 W. Third | 1300 S. Main | gpbankok.com a 580-225-2265 Member