Picture your lymphatic system as an interconnected series of streams that run throughout your body. When you’re healthy, the system flows smoothly, clearing fluid from the body while also transporting proteins and waste products. But if there’s a disruption, like with a blocked stream, it causes problems — in this case, lymphoedema. Breast lymphedema occurs because of damage to the lymphatic system. It often happens after cancer, surgery for cancer or radiation. It’s...

A new discovery from researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centre has clarified the long-established connection between inflammation and pancreatic cancer development. According to a recent study, pancreatic cells display an adaptive response to repeated inflammatory episodes that initially protects against tissue damage but can promote tumour formation in the presence of mutant KRAS gene. A mutant KRAS -- which is found in roughly 95% of all pancreatic cancers -- suppor...

We have all been told, over and over and over, about the importance of regular mild-to-moderate exercise.  We know that, cancer aside, exercise improves our health, manages our weight, helps us sleep, and relieves stress and anxiety. With cancer in the equation, we also know that studies suggest it can reduce the risk of development or recurrence in some kinds of cancer. We also know that regular mild to moderate exercise can help people better manage active cancer treatment. Even tak...

Among the most studied natural compounds affecting reproductive hormones in the body are the phytosterols. They are most concentrated in nuts and seeds of plants and are present in the oils expressed from these. Pumpkin, sesame, flax, and sunflower seeds and oils are high in phytosterols, and cereal grains and legumes such as rice, wheat germ, soy, peas, and other beans also contain phytosterols. Processing and hydrogenating the oils expressed from these foods destroy the phytosterols, and...

Many people gain weight when they are treated with chemotherapy and steroids. Your extra weight may hang around and increase after chemotherapy if you also take hormonal therapy (tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor). If your body shifts into menopause because of chemotherapy, there's a tendency to gain weight. This weight gain may be because of the enzyme lipoprotein lipase (LPL), which is controlled by insulin. LPL sits on the surface of cells and pulls fat out of the bloodstream...