Battling Pancreas Cancer With Nutrition - Paperback

by Kathy Beach Rn (Author), Christopher M. Lee MD (Author), April Davis MS Rd (Author)

Pancreatic cancer is known to be an aggressive type of malignancy, and requires in many cases surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy treatments. Because of the aggressive nature of this diagnosis, treatment of pancreatic cancer requires a multidisciplinary team of physicians and care providers, including specialists in dietary needs and nutrition. It is very common for patients with a cancer diagnosis to have many questions about nutrition and diet. In fact, this is one of the main ways that you (or your loved one) can aid yourself in the battle with cancer. The cancer can inhibit your body's ability to heal, decrease your energy, and decrease your immune system. By optimizing diet and nutrition, research has shown that outcomes of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are improved. This leads to improved cure rates, better cancer treatment outcomes, and greater ability for the body to heal and rebound from the effects of cancer therapy. The goal of this text is to empower patients during their fight with cancer. By studying these practical approaches to health and nutrition, you can aid your cancer treatment team in your therapies. This is not meant to be a substitute for standard modern cancer treatments, but the goal is to provide you with further tools to fight cancer and improve your ability to heal from the cancer and the cancer treatments. Of course, this tool should be used in the context of your other treatments and we recommend that each patient discuss their individual health needs and objectives with their care providers.

Author Biography

April D. Davis is a combined Registered Dietitian and Clinical Exercise Specialist, April currently works as an oncology dietitian, supporting surgical, medical, and radiation oncologists and an endocrinologist. April helps cancer patients manage and prevent treatment side effects and provides tools to implement lasting diet and lifestyle changes for improved overall health. She has a Master of Science in Nutrition & Exercise Physiology and Bachelors of Science in Psychology, Biology, and Exercise Physiology & Metabolism. April has given numerous lectures, seminars, and workshops on a wide range of topics at local, state, and regional professional conferences, including: Nutritional Issues Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment; Malnutrition Screening and Intervention for Patients with Cancer; Exercise Post Breast Cancer Treatment. Kathy Beach chose to get a degree in nursing after her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She received her RN degree in 1993, and spent sixteen years in hospital nursing where she worked on a range of units from Medical Oncology to Outpatient Surgery. For the past 4 years, she has focused on oncology and radiation oncology with Cancer Care Northwest in Spokane, WA. She loves her work and finds the patients she cares for and their families to be inspiring. Christopher M. Lee is a practicing Radiation Oncologist and is the Director of Research for Cancer Care Northwest and The Gamma Knife of Spokane (Spokane, WA). Dr. Lee graduated cum laude in Biochemistry from Brigham Young University in 1997 which included a summer research fellowship at Harvard University and Brigham and Women's Hospital. He subsequently attended Saint Louis University School of Medicine where he received his M.D. with Distinction in Research degree. He completed four additional years of specialty training in Radiation Oncology at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital and University of Utah Medical Center during which he was given multiple national awards. Dr. Lee actively pursues both basic science and clinical research. He continues to be a proliferative author of scientific papers and regularly gives presentations on radiotherapy technique and the use of targeted radiation in the care of patients with head and neck (throat), brain, breast, gynecologic, and prostate malignancies.