Pancreatic cancer affects over 60,000 people in the United States. Continue reading to learn more about pancreatic cancer in honor of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.
What is pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic cancer is a cancer that develops in the pancreas. The pancreas helps regulate the metabolism of sugar and aids in the digestion of foods.
What causes pancreatic cancer?
Although the exact cause of pancreatic cancer is still unknown, some risk factors that may contribute to the development of pancreatic cancer include:
Smoking
Diabetes
Obesity
Repeated inflammation of the pancreas (chronic pancreatitis)
Physical symptoms of pancreatic cancer
Many of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer are also common with other types of cancers. These may include:
Abdominal pain
Loss of appetite
Unintended weight loss
Jaundice
Discolored stools
Dark urine
Dermatitis
Bloating
How is pancreatic cancer diagnosed?
There are several ways that pancreatic cancer is diagnosed:
Blood tests
Three blood tests can help diagnose and treat pancreatic cancer:
Liver function test. Measures the amount of bilirubin in the blood. If high this may indicate a tumor is blocking the bile duct.
Carcinoembryonic antigen. Elevated levels in the blood are found in patients with cancers of the GI (gastrointestinal) tract.
CA 19-9. Individuals with pancreatic cancer often have an elevation of this protein in their blood.
Biopsy
If blood work and imaging indicate the possibility of having pancreatic cancer, a biopsy (a tissue sample from the pancreas) is taken to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is the gold standard for a definitive pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
How does hospice help pancreatic cancer patients
Pancreatic cancer can be extremely painful, making your quality of life more difficult toward the end of life. Hospice care allows people to live their final stages in peace by providing:
Comfort for end of life
The end of life can be a very stressful, uncomfortable, and anxiety-provoking time. A hospice team can help provide the comfort the patient needs physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Spiritual guidance
Hospice care takes care of you physically and emotionally during the end of life. The team consists of a social worker and chaplain who will work with you and your family to ensure your spiritual needs are met. Hospice provides compassionate care that is supportive of both the patient and their families through the end of life and throughout the grieving process.
Helps with family and loved ones
Caring for sick loved ones can be an exhausting endeavor, which is why hospice care takes over your care so that your family gets a much-needed break. Your hospice team can also coordinate respite periods for your caregiver.
COPD Awareness Month: Hospice Referral Guidelines
By: Laura Mantine, MD
Chronic lung disease is the 4th most common cause of death among older adults in the United States. More than 3 million people worldwide died of COPD in 2015, representing 6% of all deaths that year. People dying from COPD frequently experience difficult and uncomfortable symptoms that lead to distress and panic. They commonly have disabling respiratory symptoms including severe breathlessness, limited tolerance for activity, and intractable coughing. They are also usually oxygen dependent, often experience anorexia with weight loss, cachexia, and ultimately become dependent on others for their activities of daily living.
COPD and Hospice Care
Despite the symptomatic needs of individuals dying from end-stage COPD, only 30% of individuals receive hospice care before death. It is not clear why the rate of hospice use for patients with COPD is so low, but several explanations have been offered. The most important may be that few patients with severe COPD have discussed end-of-life planning with their clinician. Furthermore, many patients and clinicians do not view COPD as a terminal illness and feel it is more chronic in nature. Also, there may be a lack of awareness that patients enrolled in hospice can continue to receive treatments for COPD. Due to the fluctuating course of COPD, it is often difficult to accurately estimate a patient’s life expectancy which may contribute to low hospice utilization rates.
Hospice Eligibility Guidelines for COPD
While end-of-life-care is an appropriate topic to discuss with all patients, several factors have been suggested that should prompt a discussion with patients who have severe COPD. One factor is simply that a clinician would not be surprised if a patient with COPD were to die within the next 6-12 months. A clinician should consider hospice referral in a patient with COPD if they are dyspneic at rest or with minimal exertion, have progressed to the point where they spend most of their days at home, have experienced repeated ED visits (one or more each quarter) due to infection or episodes of respiratory failure, have endured repeated hospitalizations (one or more each quarter) and no longer wish to be admitted and the patient no longer wishes to be intubated.
The major hospice eligibility guidelines for COPD are:
dyspnea at rest and/or with minimal exertion while on oxygen therapy
dyspnea unresponsive or poorly responsive to bronchodilator therapy
progression of chronic pulmonary disease as evidenced by frequent use of medical services
frequent episodes of bronchitis or pneumonia
unintentional weight loss of ≥ 10% body weight over the preceding six months
progressive inability to independently perform various activities of daily living (ADLs)
There are other important clinical factors that also may support a patient’s hospice eligibility. These are:
cor pulmonale
need for continuous oxygen therapy
resting tachycardia > 100 beats/minute
steroid-dependence
cyanosis
Abnormal laboratory findings may also trigger a hospice referral such as:
FEV1 ≤ 30% predicted post-bronchodilator
serial decreases in FEV1 of at least 40 ml/year over several years
PO2 ≤ 55 on room air
O2 sat. ≤ 88% on room air or persistent hypercarbia (PCO2) ≥ 50 mm HG
While these laboratory studies may be helpful to the clinician when considering patient appropriateness for hospice services, they are not required for patient admission.
How Hospice Can Help COPD Patients
COPD is a significant health issue around the world. It is ultimately a fatal disease and patients are under-referred to hospice care. Hospice, with its strong interdisciplinary approach, has been shown to improve quality of life for patients with end-stage respiratory disorders like COPD.
References:
Hospice Eligibility for Patients with COPD. Serena J. Scott, MD, Barry D. Weiss, MD, Ellyn Lee, MD, College of Medicine, University of Arizona. https://uofazcenteronaging.com. June 2017.
When to refer patients with advanced COPD to palliative care services. Rebecca Strutt. Breathe (Sheff). 2020 Sep; 16(3): 200061.
Referral to palliative care in COPD and other chronic diseases: A population-based study. Kim Beernaert; Joachim Cohen; Luc Deliens; Dirk Devroey; Katrien Vanthomme; Koen Pardon; Lieve Van den Block. Respiratory Medicine. Volume 107. Issue 11, P1731-1739. November 1, 2013.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in the United States, second only to skin cancer. It’s a disease in which the cells in the breast grow out of control. There are several types of breast cancer, but there are two that are most common. Invasive ductal carcinoma is when the cancer cells begin in the ducts and then grow outside them into other parts of the breast tissue. Invasive lobular carcinoma is when the cancer cells begin in the lobules and then spread from there to the breast tissues that are close by. It is possible for both of these invasive cancer cells to spread to other parts of the body.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Symptoms of breast cancer can vary from patient to patient, and some may not experience any at all. However, some common symptoms one may experience are:
Any change in the size or shape of the breast
Pain in the breast
Discharge from the nipple (other than breastmilk), including blood
A new lump in the breast or underarm
If you have concerns about any symptoms you are experiencing, see your doctor right away.
Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
There are several factors that can put a person at higher risk for developing breast cancer. Some are beyond our control, while others we can change. One of the main factors that puts a person at risk for breast cancer is being a woman. Although men can get breast cancer, women are at higher risk.
Risk Factors Beyond Our Control
Getting older. As we get older, the risk for breast cancer increases. Most breast cancers are diagnosed after age 50.
Genetic mutations. Inherited changes to the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes put a woman at higher risk.
Having dense breasts. Women with dense breasts have more connective tissue than fatty tissue. This can make it more difficult to see tumors on a mammogram.
Family history of breast or ovarian cancer. A woman’s risk increases if she has a first-degree relative on either side of her family who has had breast or ovarian cancer.
How to Lower Your Risk for Breast Cancer
Exercise regularly. The risk for breast cancer is higher for women who are not physically active. Exercising regularly can help lower your risk.
Maintain a healthy weight after menopause. The risk is higher for women who are overweight or obese after menopause. Maintaining a healthy weight can help lower your risk.
Avoid taking certain hormones. Certain forms of hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills have been linked to a higher risk for breast cancer. Talk to your doctor about the risks if you are taking either of these.
Breastfeed your children, if possible. Breastfeeding your children can help to decrease your risk for breast cancer.
Avoid or limit alcohol intake. Studies show the more alcohol a woman drinks, the higher her risk for breast cancer. Avoiding or limiting your alcohol intake can help reduce your risk.
Hospice Care for Breast Cancer Patients
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with breast cancer, and curative treatment is no longer an option, hospice may be right for you.
Benefits of Yoga for Hospice Patients
We’ve all heard how good yoga is for you, but have you ever thought about the benefits of yoga for hospice patients? Yoga is defined as a spiritual discipline that is widely practiced for health and relaxation that includes breath control, simple meditation, and specific bodily postures. All of these things can be used to help hospice patients and their families navigate through an emotionally stressful time.
A brief history of yoga
Yoga is a combination of spiritual, mental, and physical practices that originated in ancient India approximately 5,000 years ago. It was originally practiced primarily to cultivate spiritual harmony and enlightenment.
It started to become more popular in the late 1800s as it spread west. New practitioners viewed it as a path to inner peace and better health. Then, we saw what is called the ‘Modern Yoga Renaissance’ in the 1920s where the physical practice of yoga dramatically changed. Prior to this point, it really only consisted of a few standing poses. Today, yoga has become a key component of holistic health.
Learn more about the history of yoga here.
What yoga looks like for hospice patients
When we think of yoga, we often think of poses like downward dog or child’s pose or even the more complex poses that turn a person into a pretzel. However, before you can learn to twist and turn and pose like that, you must focus on something you already know how to do. In fact, you do it all day, every day: breathe.
In yoga, breath control is referred to as pranayama [pränəˈyämə], and it is essential. There are several forms of pranayama that can be done from the seated position. One example of this is Adham Pranayama. It can be performed either sitting or lying down, whatever is most comfortable. The focus of Adham Pranayama is ‘belly breathing,’ or breathing deeply into your stomach.
So how do you do it, you ask. First, place one hand on your stomach and the other on your chest. Breathe in and out. Focus on moving only your abdomen, instead of inflating your chest. It’s as simple as that. Practicing Adham Pranayama has several benefits, including reducing insomnia, providing oxygen to the body, and relieving stress.
There are many other forms of pranayama that can be done anywhere and in comfortable, seated positions. You can learn more about them here.
Why hospice patients should consider yoga
Yoga can easily be adapted to fit the needs and ability of the person doing it. Plus, it can be done anywhere- from a yoga studio to the comfort of your own home, even from your bed! Not to mention the benefits of mindful breathing. This can be an incredibly difficult time for patients and their loved ones. Taking time to truly focus on your breathing can provide a break in the stress and anxiety you may be feeling. Plus, it can be done together, helping to reduce everyone’s stress while also creating peaceful memories you’ll have forever.
June is…
June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. This month-long celebration provides the opportunity to focus on raising awareness for the 50 million people worldwide living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease and the most common form of dementia. It causes a slow decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. Schedule an appointment with your doctor if you notice any of these ten signs and symptoms:
Memory loss that disrupts daily life
Challenges in planning or solving problems
Difficulty completing familiar tasks
Confusion with time or place
Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
New problems with words in speaking or writing
Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
Decreased or poor judgment
Withdrawal from work or social activities
Changes in mood and personality
Visit the website for the Alzheimer’s Association for more information on these signs and symptoms to be on the lookout for.
Take Action
There are several ways to get involved in Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month! On June 20th, join the cause by celebrating ‘The Longest Day’ through a fundraising activity of your choice! There are a variety of ways to get involved, including virtually and in-person.
Summer is just around the corner, which mean barbeques, swimming, and SUN! And while most of us enjoy getting outside and soaking up a little Vitamin D, it is important to remember to be safe when heading outside into the sun. Per the American Academy of Dermatology Association, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and unprotected UV exposure is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer.
With that being said, it is important to follow these three steps to protect your skin:
Seek shade: Remember, the sun’s rays are the strongest between 10AM and 2PM
Wear sun-protective clothing: Sunglasses and hats are key!
Apply sunscreen: Use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with at least SPF 30
Signs of Skin Cancer
Finding skin cancer early, before it has spread, makes it much easier to treat. If you know what to look for, you can often spot warning signs early on. Doctors recommend checking your own skin about once a month using a full-length mirror in a well-lit room. You can also use a hand mirror to check areas that are harder to see.
Melanoma is one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer, while basal and squamous cell skin cancers are more common but are usually very treatable. The American Cancer Society’s website discusses these types of skin cancers and what to look out for.
Melanoma
Use the “ABCDE” rule to look for some of the common signs of melanoma:
Asymmetry – one part of a mole or birthmark doesn’t match the other
Border – the edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred
Color – the color is not the same all over and may include shades of brown or black, sometimes with patches of pink, red, white, or blue
Diameter – the spot is larger than ¼ inch across (although melanomas can sometimes be smaller than this)
Evolving – the mole is changing in size, shape, or color
Basal Cell Carcinomas
These types of skin cancers typically grow on parts of the body that get the most sun, such as the face, head, and neck. However, they can still show up anywhere. Here is what you should look for:
Flat, firm, pale, or yellow areas (similar to a scar)
Raised reddish patches, might be itchy
Small shiny, pearly bumps that are pink or red
Pink growths with raised edges and a lower area in the center, which might have abnormal blood vessels spreading out like the spokes of a wheel
Open sores that may have oozing or crusted areas and do not heal, or heal and then come back
Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Similarly to basal cell carcinomas, these typically grow on the parts of the body that get the most sun but can appear anywhere. You should look for:
Rough or scaly red patches, which may crust or bleed
Raised growths or lumps, sometimes with a lower area in the center
Open sores that may have oozing or crusted areas and do not heal, or heal and then come back
Wart-like growths
Talk to Your Doctor
Although these are good examples of what to look for, some skin cancers may look different than these descriptions. It is important to talk to your doctor about anything you are concerned about, such as new spots and other skin changes.
Better Hearing and Speech Month Facts
Each year, Better Hearing and Speech Month in May provides an opportunity to raise awareness about communication disorders and other hearing and speech problems. The event also serves as a reminder to people to get their hearing checked. Early identification and intervention is very important, and getting your hearing checked is the first step!
According to the CDC’s website, the World Health Organization’s first World Report on Hearing found that:
Noise is acknowledged as an important public health issue and a top environmental risk faced by the world today
Over 50% of people aged 12-35 years listen to music via personal audio devices at volumes that pose a risk to their hearing
Keeping the volume below 60% is a general rule of thumb for safety
You should consider using noise cancelling earphones or headphones rather than turning the volume up
Listening through personal audio devices should not exceed 80dB for adults or 75 dB for sensitive users, such as children, for 40 hours per week
Building Connections
“Building Connections” is the theme for 2021! You can find a variety of resources, broken down by week, on the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s website. Week 4’s focus is “Summer Skill Building, Hearing Protection for School-Aged Children.” Below are some examples of the resources available. Be sure to check out the ASHA’s website for more!