Uncategorized Archives - Provision Healthcare

Jun

Breast Cancer Fighting Nutrients and Where to Find Them

Each year, thousands of people are diagnosed with breast cancer. In fact, one in eight women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. However, with today’s knowledge and resources, cancer diagnoses are gradually becoming fewer and fewer.

While cancer is not preventable, today’s nutritional science shows that a strategic diet can be one of the biggest factors in minimizing the risk of breast cancer. That’s right — research has repeatedly shown that certain foods can act as preventative medicines. In fact, changing what you eat and how you exercise can prevent up to 30% of breast cancer diagnoses.

No food item can prohibit cancerous cells from developing, but there are a few that can significantly lower the risks of developing cancer. Foods high in fiber, like beans, nuts, and whole wheat bread can help lower amounts of estrogen, reducing the risk of breast cancer. Additionally, foods like salmon, walnuts, and oysters can help produce Omega-3s, essential fatty acids that aren’t produced naturally in the body. These fatty acids help with inflammation, which can easily damage healthy tissue. Sulforaphane, found in arugula, cabbage, and broccoli, and carotenoids, found in carrots, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes, have both been found to reduce the risk of breast cancer in increased levels.

While no one cancer case is the same, those who have increased intakes of these types of foods and nutrients have been shown to have an overall lower risk of developing breast cancer. A well-balanced diet and exercise routine is important for a lot of things: physical strength, heart and organ health, and mental health.

This goes to show that the food you choose to eat and how you treat your body has more of an impact than people may originally think. Continue reading to learn more about what specific foods and nutrients can help thwart a breast cancer diagnosis.

breast cancer fighting nutrients

May

Nurses Week 2018

By Provision Admin

Content and information provided by Lindsay Chandler, RN, BSN, OCN Nursing Manager for Provision CARES Proton Therapy Knoxville

May 6-12 is a week of excellence for every nurse, and marks a time to acknowledge accomplishments, compassionate patient care and professionalism for the nursing society. The conclusion of Nurses Week is May 12^th, in honor of the mother of nursing, Florence Nightingale. Florence Nightingale was born on May 12^th, 1820, and she was the innovator of modern nursing. It was through her teaching, compassion, leadership and influence, that the world of nursing has evolved into what it is today.

Apr

Maintaining a Healthy Nutritional Status When Diagnosed with Head & Neck Cancers

By Provision Admin

Content and information provided by Casey Coffey MS, RD, LDN Registered Dietician for Provision CARES Proton Therapy Knoxville

As we raise awareness of head & neck cancers during the month of April, it is important to be aware of the unique challenges that are at risk when diagnosed with head and neck cancer. Studies for patients who choose proton therapy treatment for head and neck cancers have shown less side effects during first 3 months after treatment and quicker return to normal function. The potential side effects for head and neck cancer patients make swallowing food and fluids difficult and sometimes painful. Malnutrition affects an estimated 40 – 80% of cancer patients – particularly those with gastrointestinal or head and neck cancers.

The four main nutritional goals for cancer patients include:

Strive to maintain a healthy weight
Consume foods and beverages for managing cancer and treatment-related side effects
Select and eat healthy foods that supply the body with fuel and nutrients for repair and healing
Reduce risk of cancer recurrence and the development of a second malignancy

Many patients do not realize the importance of nutrition while under treatment. Primary goals of nutrition therapy are to prevent or reverse nutrient deficiencies, preserve lean body mass, support the immune system, and minimize and manage the impact of nutrition related symptoms and side effects to maximize quality of life. Adequate nutrition is more than just maintaining body weight. The foods we eat contain nutrients necessary to support healing and restoration but also to support our healthy cells as well. Adequate nutrition has been shown to improve outcomes in cancer patients, improve strength and energy, avoid dose reduction or treatment breaks.

Make Every Bite Count.

Initially, it is recommended patients eat what they can tolerate while focusing on protein with each meal and including whole foods (minimizing the processed nature of foods). Why? Well, quality counts. High quality foods, which are those that are less processed, are more nutritious due to their higher nutritional value. As treatment progresses and possible side effects begin, the ability to swallow can become difficult. If difficulty to swallow becomes a problem for head and neck cancers, here are three ideas on how to maintain nutritional value through your diet:

Graze throughout the day on nutrient dense foods: Nutrient dense foods that have been fortified with protein and additional calories without adding volume and lots of sugar or highly processed foods. Some examples are olive oil, butter, coconut oil, coconut butter, peanut butter, heavy cream, half & half, or any nut butter.
Alter texture of foods to improve tolerance: focus on soft or smooth foods such as, bananas, watermelon, canned fruits, peach, pear, and apricot nectars, pureed or mashed vegetables, oatmeal, cooked cereal, cottage cheese, yogurt, milkshakes, custards, puddings, gelatin, macaroni and cheese, scrambled eggs, and ground meats.

Avoid irritating foods, such as, citrus fruits or juices, spicy or salty foods, pickled or vinegary foods, tomato-based foods (salsa, spaghetti sauce, and pizza), rough or dry foods, hot spices (pepper, chili powder, nutmeg, cloves, and curry).

For more information about how to overcome nutritional challenges when diagnosed with head & neck cancers or to learn about proton therapy, contact our CARE Team at 865-229-4689.

Apr

Volunteer Appreciation in the “Volunteer State”

By Provision Admin

This week, April 15-21, Provision will celebrate Volunteer Appreciation Week by honoring our very own Proton Volunteer, Mrs. Sue. Sue and her husband retired to Knoxville from Washington, DC in 2001. She has been a volunteer for Provision CARES Proton Therapy Knoxville since 2016 and has been filling the proton center with extra joy and smiles ever since.

Apr

Provision CARE Proton Therapy Attends the 2018 NAPT Conference

By Provision Admin

Content and information provided by Talbott Paynter, Director of Business Development for Provision CARES Proton Therapy Knoxville

The National Association for Proton Therapy (NAPT) held its sixth annual NAPT Conference March 25-28, 2018, at The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch in sunny Scottdale, Arizona. Founded in 1990, the National Association for Proton Therapy is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to work collaboratively to:

Raise awareness of the therapeutic benefits of proton therapy among patients, providers, payers, policymakers, and other stakeholders
Ensure patient choice and access to affordable proton therapy
Encourage cooperative research and innovation to advance the appropriate and cost-effective utilization of proton therapy.

The annual conference allows proton centers from across the Unites States to convene and discuss how to advance awareness of the clinical benefits of proton therapy for cancer patients, provide education, and advocate for insurance coverage.

Mar

Colorectal Cancer: The Importance of Early Detection and Understanding Screening Options

By Provision Admin

Content and information provided by Rebecca Bergeron, RN, BSN, OCN Director of Clinical Services for Provision CARES Proton Therapy Knoxville

This week, we’re going to talk about number two- the second leading cause of cancer death, that is. Colorectal cancer is highly preventable through early detection, yet many people remain unaware of their options for screening. Screening is especially important for preventing colorectal cancer because the disease usually does not have noticeable symptoms until it is advanced.

Mar

Top Support Resources for Dealing with a Cancer Diagnosis and Your Employer

By Provision Admin

Content and information provided by Marriah Mabe, LCSW at Provision CARES Proton Therapy.

Many cancer patients say that one of the most difficult aspects of cancer treatment is loss of income during treatment. Extra costs for medical visits, copays, travel to appointments, medications, and other expenses add up quickly. However, there are laws meant to protect individuals undergoing medical treatment from losing their job. Additionally, if you have life insurance or other insurance policies through your employer, you may have access to financial resources you are not aware of. Provision CARES Proton Therapy team provides support and resources to help get you started in the process of exploring options that may be available to you as you are undergoing treatment.

Jan

Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer can increase due to Age, Race and Family History

By Provision Admin

Early detection of cancer can be the next best thing to prevention. There are several widely known risk factors for prostate cancer that may increase the probability of a man to develop prostate cancer. Age, race and family history are the most common today. According to ASCO Cancer.Net, “Prostate cancer that runs in a family, called familial prostate cancer, occurs about 20% of the time.” Sources say that shared genes, similar lifestyles and environments play a role in developing familial prostate cancer. Hereditary prostate cancer accounts for almost 5% of cases. This type of gene mutation is passed down within family generations. A few characteristics for hereditary prostate cancer could include:

Dec

Provision’s Culture of Safety

By Provision Admin

At Provision CARES Proton Therapy, we are dedicated to providing a safe workplace for our employees and a safe treatment environment for our patients. Just this month, our Provision CARES Cancer Center team in Knoxville received the official Accreditation Certificate issued by ASTRO (“Accreditation Certificate”). To receive this accreditation, the team was required to focus on five pillars of patient care. One of the five pillars of patient care is safety. The team demonstrated and committed to the highest standards of safety through daily processes and procedures. To read more about the Accreditation process and this achievement see our previous blog here.

Nov

National particle therapy conference boosts proton therapy’s profile

By Provision Admin

Proton therapy got positive billing at the recent Particle Therapy Cooperative Group, as researchers from across the country presented findings that showed proton therapy reduced potentially life-altering side effects and improved survival rates for cancer patients.

The National Association for Proton Therapy (NAPT) released a summary of the results, which included the findings of studies focused on esophageal, prostate and breast cancer.