In weight gain, increased adiposity is accompanied by accelerated aging of fat tissue. This change is most marked in visceral adipose, where it cultivates a specific array of inflammatory changes that enable these fat cells to survive under disadvantageous conditions. With the expansion of fat tissue, this pattern of altered cytokine production is known as a “senescence-associated secretory phenotype,” or SASP. In adipose, having a SASP affects immune homeostasis and energy meta...

Getting proper nutrition during cancer treatment is vital. As the body tries to cope with the disease, the side effects from some types of therapy can be equally draining. It’s common for eating habits to change during cancer treatment. But for some people, their loss of appetite is so extreme that eating anything at all can seem overwhelming. Many of our patients experience nutrition-impacting symptoms. These might include nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, or diarrhea. And the way food...

The papaya or pawpaw (Carica papaya) is a tropical fruit, which has been consistently associated with numerous medicinal properties. One of the most important of these claims is the ability of papaya leaf extract to revert low platelet counts to normal in dengue fever. Several researchers have tested preparations of papaya leaf, in particular, in regard to the platelet count. One systematic review confirmed the increase in platelet count to be more significant in the group that received the...

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...