EATING FRUITS DAILY IS A MUST FOR GOOD HEALTH

We all know that fruits are very good for health, like apple a day keeps not only the doctor but also the dentist away ! Fruits are rich sources of vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre, aids in weight loss, with loads of antioxidants to keep diseases at bay !

1. Grapefruit- To be frank, for the 1st time, I heard about this was when I was put in weight loss diet in the hospital. They kept a jar of grapefruit juice and told me to drink whenever I'm hungry ! It is an excellent appetite suppressant, which cuts down on your cravings. It contains a soluble fibre named ‘pectin’, which lessens the development of atherosclerosis (build-up of cholesterol and fats on the walls of the artery). Consult your doctor, if you are on prescription medications.

2. Kiwi- We all know that the moment you hear kiwi, it reminds you of New Zealand, as it is their national bird ! It is one of those flightless birds found in that country. But the fruit, is also basically grown there, now freely available in most countries of the world. Kiwi contains more vitamin C than orange which grants them the ability to prevent DNA damage and also helps reduce risks of developing cataracts. They're rich in antioxidants. Along with it, kiwis are rich in vitamin K as well as a very good source of copper and dietary fiber. It is also a good source of vitamin E, potassium, folate and manganese.

3. Apples- Like I mentioned earlier, apples keep both physician and dentists away ! Luckily, you can get them almost around the year. They are high in fiber and vitamin C, and they are also low in calories, have only a trace of sodium, and no fat or cholesterol. "Apples are high in polyphenols, which function as antioxidants.
Potassium, known as an electrolyte, is a mineral that dissolves in cellular fluid and helps electricity flow through your body. Most potassium in your body is found inside of cells, but it crosses cell walls if it needs to in order to keep fluid steady in and around cells. This process, known as the membrane potential, is heavily regulated by your body in order to sustain steady electrical flow for heart rhythm as well as muscle contraction. 

 4. Lemons- We all know that drinking lemon juice in warm water with honey on empty stomach helps to lose weight ! It not only flavours your juices and foods, it has many more benefits too.
Lemons contain citric acid, which effectively lowers cholesterol and cuts down on body fat. Citric acid is also an excellent digestive stimulant. Also, the refreshing scent of lemons reduces anxiety, nervousness and fatigue . It improves digestion, reduced respiratory and urinary disorders, relief from constipation, and treatment of scurvy, piles, peptic ulcer, gout, and gums. It also aids in skin care and eye care. Being rich in Vitamin C is used to treat scurvy.
It is considered a super-food for diabetes for many reasons. Mainly, high levels of soluble fiber found in limes make it an ideal dietary support to help regulate the body’s absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, reducing the occurrence of blood sugar spikes that are a serious risk to diabetic patients. Also, limes and other citrus fruits have a low glycemic index, which means they will not cause an unexpected spike in glucose levels. 
Treats Arthritis-One of the many causes of arthritis is an excess build-up of uric acid in the body. Uric acid is one of the waste products that normal urination clears out of the body, but unfortunately, when too much of it builds up, it can make the pain and inflammation from arthritis even worse. The citric acid found in limes is a solvent in which uric acid can dissolve, increasing the amounts that are eliminated in the urine. Citrus fruits, in general, have anti-inflammatory properties and can be used for a number of inflammatory issues.
Treats Gout-There are two main causes of gout. The first source is the accumulation of free radicals in the body, and the second is an accumulation of toxins in the body, primarily uric acid. Limes can help prevent both of these causes. It is a wonderful source of antioxidants and detoxifiers (vitamin-C and Flavonoids) which reduce the number of free radicals as well as detoxify the body.

5.Blueberries: Blueberries are a great source of antioxidants which aid in fighting cancer and macular degeneration (an eye disease which results in vision loss). They also contain compounds that protect you from urinary tract infections. It is rich in Vitamin C and K, manganese, fibre,low in calories. Reduces DNA damage and helps protect against ageing.

6.Strawberries: Strawberries might be small, but they do pack a lot of nutrients! A handful of strawberries daily can prevent type 2 diabetes, inflammations and heart disease. They are also rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, and polyphenols. They have many other nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that contribute to the overall health benefits of these berries. These nutrients include vitamin C, folate, potassium, manganese, dietary fiber, and magnesium.

7.Grapes: Grapes contain an antioxidant named resveratrol, which prevents heart diseases and premature aging of your cells. In addition, they are also great sources of folate and vitamin B6, C and A which contribute to a healthier immune system. Grapes contain powerful antioxidants known as polyphenols, which may slow or prevent many types of cancer, including esophageal, lung, mouth, pharynx, endometrial, pancreatic, prostate and colon.

8. Oranges- Oranges provide you with vitamin C and potassium, which are essential for enhanced muscle and digestive functions. The membrane between orange segments contains hesperidin, which has been proven to reduce cholesterol. Those who consumed oranges regularly, had lower incidences of ischemic stroke.

9.Papaya: Papayas contain a substance called ‘papain’ which is an incredible digestive stimulant. Papaya is rich in antioxidant nutrients such as carotenes, flavonoids, and vitamin C, as well as vitamin B (folate and pantothenic acid). It is also a good source of fiber and minerals such as magnesium. Together, these nutrients help to improve cardiovascular health and protect against colon cancer. It aids in weight loss.  
Relieves Toothache-A paste of fresh papaya roots can be rubbed onto the teeth and gums to get relief from toothaches. The bark of the tree, primarily the inner bark, is also an excellent remedy for tooth problems.
 Papayas can be great revitalizing agents, which is why they are used in many cosmetics. Also, papayas are used in homemade face masks by many women. Papain kills dead cells and purifies the skin. The beneficial properties and the healing enzymes present in papaya help to treat sunburn and irritated skin. A good facial massage using papaya is a fabulous remedy to remove the dead cells. 
 The seeds of papayas are good for a healthy heart. Having three powerful antioxidant vitamins, namely Vitamins A, C, and E, means papayas are helpful in preventing problems such as  atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease. The presence of pro-carotenoid phytonutrients helps to prevent oxidization of the cholesterol in the body.
Anti-inflammatory- The enzymes present in papayas, especially the papain and chymopapain, reduce the inflammation in different parts of the body.

10. Bananas: It is one fruit, that need not be washed to be eaten ! They come in so many varieties, colours, taste and above all found all over the world, 365 days of the year ! Bananas have low sodium and high potassium levels. Thus, they are extremely beneficial in maintaining blood pressure and preventing strokes. Bananas also contain protease inhibitors, which prevent stomach ulcers (protease is a digestive enzyme that produces acid). It is rich in Vitamins B6 and C, has magnesium, copper, manganese.
Dietary fibre found in bananas improves digestive health, prevents constipation.
They contain several types of potent antioxidants, including dopamine and catechins.
These antioxidants have been linked to many health benefits, such as a reduced risk of heart disease and degenerative diseases 

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES. PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO VIEW MY BLOG-                      

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Doctor says Alternative Treatment Works better for Cancer

Written by a doctor who suffers from cancer and he uses alternative rather than conventional medicine that involves chemo etc. 
 

Subject: Cancer treatment is about making money...provoking thoughts

 

I posted this article, which may have some provoking thoughts: The below is absolutely 100% true and as a doctor I have been telling people this for 15 years now. No one wants to listen. Folks need to wake up. Cancer treatment is about making money. It is a 120 billion dollar a year industry in the United States alone and estimated to be a 600 billion dollar a year industry worldwide. A successful cancer case according to the American Cancer Society and the American College of Oncology and Hematology means that the person survives for 5 years. Both the American Cancer Society and the American College of Oncology and Hematology admit that a person is likely to survive cancer for 7 to 10 years even if they do absolutely NOTHING. Of course, only the doctors get those magazines - not you, the cancer patient. Alternative medicine's track record of curing cancer is 10 times higher than that of conventional medicine. Note that I say CURE. Remember another thing. A TUMOR is just a symptom. It is not the cause of cancer.  Science is cause and effect. Remove the cause and the effect disappears. I am in my third battle with cancer right now. I have not done any chemotherapy or radiation or surgery for any of my bouts with cancer. I survived leukemia, I survived Non Hodgkins Lymphoma and now I have Glioblastoma which is supposedly an incurable form of brain cancer. I was given two months to live 5 months ago.  I have been using Chinese herbs, high doses of vitamin C, acupuncture, chiropractic, homeopathy and nutritional changes. Yes, at first it got worse. It had metastasized to my lymph nodes, my lungs and my bones. As of this week, I am happy to say that there is no evidence now of any cancer in my lymph system or my bones. I had 6 tumors in my lungs, now there are only two. The tumors in my brain have shrunken tremendously. I never did any of their chemo, radiation or surgery.  Here is a very interesting statistic that you can only have access to by being a doctor. Every year more than 1,000 doctors oncologists (cancer doctors) are diagnosed with cancer. Less than 10% of them choose to do the treatment that they have been giving to their patients. Sort of like the fact that less than 25% of all pediatricians vaccinate their own children because of the fact that the risk of sudden death or serious side effects from the vaccination is higher than the risk of catching the disease one is being vaccinated for. This is not bullshit people - it is truth.  Medicine is about money, not about your health and the system traps people, especially the elderly, disabled and poor into a deadly treatment regime that puts them in an early grave. Meanwhile, all the jet set billionaires are flying off to Europe and paying big bucks for alternative treatments and getting cured. Does alternative medicine work all the time? No. Of course not. Nothing works all the time. But there is a reason for that. You don't die until it's your time to die. Nothing can make you live longer than that time. However quality of life comes into play. Those cancer patients who use alternative therapies for their cancer, yet still die from the illness, suffer a much higher quality of life. They die able to spend time with their families and even recognize their family members. They don't become emaciated like those who do chemotherapy or radiation do and rarely is a person who goes under the treatment of chemotherapy able to recognize anyone for the last few days of their lives. Their bodies become ravaged to the point that you can't even recognize them either. They suffer at a much much higher rate and they have one let down after another as doctors tell them, ahhh - it's looking good, only to tell them on the next visit it's looking worse, you need more chemo and radiation. AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY ('TRY', BEING THE KEY WORD) TO ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY .

Nutrition facts & myths

Nutrition fact #1: Fat Will Make You Fat!

Eating fat does not make you fat. In fact, not eating enough fat can make you fat. A study published found that a diet high in healthy fats proved to be superior to a low-fat diet, both in terms of weight loss and overall health benefits. Saturated and trans fats have given fat a bad name, but the truth is that the unsaturated fats found in foods like nuts, salmon, and olive oil are a key component in a healthy diet.

Fact 2- Bread Will Make You Fat!

 The low-carb craze of the early 2000s had people terrified of breaking bread, but eating the right kinds of breads and other grains can actually help you lose weight. A study found that overweight people who obtained all of their grain servings from whole grains lost more belly fat than those who skipped the whole grains. The reason: The fiber found in whole grain foods helps slow digestion, keeping you fuller longer. You should still avoid refined grains like "enriched" flour, but a moderate amount of whole grain bread can be a great addition to a balanced diet. Tip: True whole grain bread products will have "whole wheat" or "whole grain" flour as their first ingredient. If you see anything else, your "wheat" bread is an imposter.

Fact 3- Snacking Will Not Make You Fat!

Mom may have told you that eating frequently is a surefire way to pack on the pounds, but she probably also told you that your face will freeze that way. In fact, snacking throughout the day is actually one of the best ways to avoid an expanding waistline. In a recent study,it was found that participants lost significantly more body weight when they added low-sugar, high-protein snacks to their daily food routine,because consistent snacking helps maintain blood-sugar levels, keeping you full and preventing your body from storing excess fat. Two great options for a low-sugar, high-protein snack: nuts and (low-fat) dairy products, like yogurt.

FACT 4- Coffee Doesn't Ruin Your Health!

A  study showed that coffee drinkers were significantly less likely to develop type 2 diabetes, and other research has linked coffee consumption with a reduced risk of Parkinson's disease, dementia, stroke, and depression. And get this:  coffee is the number-one leading source of antioxidants in the American diet. So go ahead, enjoy your morning cup of joe guilt free !

FACT 5- Thinking About Food Will  Not Make You Obsessed With Eating!

Think about other things: Your friends. Your 401(k). The game. Grandma’s dentures. Anything that will get your mind off food, right? Well, no: According to some researchers, thinking about snacks and meals can actually help you stay lean. The study found that when asked questions like, "What will you do if you get hungry two hours before your next meal?" thinner participants were better able to give healthy responses, like "eat a handful of nuts." While fantasizing about how many onion rings you could feasibly fit on a double bacon cheeseburger is probably not going to keep the pounds at bay, taking a proactive approach to your diet by thinking ahead will. Try planning nutritious meals for the week or keeping healthy snacks like fruit and nuts on hand to ward off hunger. 

FACT 6- Dessert Will  Not Ruin Your Life!

It is just the contrary- Dessert makes life worth living, and it just might help you stay lean as well. Studies have shown that completely eliminating foods you love can send you sailing straight into binge mode. Is chocolate mud pie good for you? No, and if you feel like you want to cut down on indulgences, go right ahead. But if, like most of us, swearing off sweets instantly causes you to start daydreaming about hot fudge sundaes, you might want to rethink your approach. Try allowing yourself a small dessert every day to satisfy your cravings without doing too much damage.

FACT 7- Red Meat Will Give You a Heart Attack, Only When eaten too much !

It was recently discovered that while eating processed meats like hotdogs and bacon can contribute to heart disease, there is no such risk for people who consume only unprocessed meat. Meat is also a complete protein, providing all nine essential amino acids, and many studies have linked protein consumption with weight loss. Moreover, meat and other animal products are the only dietary sources of vitamin B12, which helps your body make blood cells and maintain a healthy nervous system. But beware: Eating too much saturated fat has been linked to heart disease, so go ahead and include meat in your diet, but opt for the leanest cuts. 


FACT 8- Eggs are good !
Perhaps the biggest nutrition myth is that eggs are bad for your heart, a fact attributed to the cholesterol in the yolk. But here's the truth: The dietary cholesterol found in eggs actually has little effect on the amount of cholesterol in your blood. When it comes to increasing LDL ("bad cholesterol"), trans and saturated fats are the real culprits. The incredible, edible egg is actually an excellent, affordable source of protein and B vitamins, and it may help you lose weight.

Stomach cancer- risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, staging, treatment, surgery,

The Stomach

The stomach is a hollow organ in the upper abdomen, under the ribs.

It's part of the digestive system. Food moves from the mouth through the esophagus to the stomach. In the stomach, the food becomes liquid. Muscles in the stomach wall push the liquid into the small intestine.

The wall of the stomach has five layers:

• Inner layer or lining (mucosa): Juices made by glands in the inner layer help digest food. Most stomach cancers begin in this layer.
• Submucosa: This is the support tissue for the inner layer.
• Muscle layer: Muscles in this layer contract to mix and mash the food.
• Subserosa: This is the support tissue for the outer layer.
• Outer layer (serosa): The outer layer covers the stomach. It holds the stomach in place.

This picture shows the stomach and nearby organs.

Cancer begins in cells, the building blocks that make up tissues. Tissues make up the stomach and other organs of the body.

Normal cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When normal cells grow old or get damaged, they die, and new cells take their place.

Sometimes, this process goes wrong. New cells form when the body doesn't need them, and old or damaged cells don't die as they should. The buildup of extra cells often forms a mass of tissue called a growth, polyp, or tumor.

Tumors in the stomach can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). Benign tumors are not as harmful as malignant tumors:

• Benign tumors:
  • are rarely a threat to life
  • can be removed and usually don't grow back
  • don't invade the tissues around them
  • don't spread to other parts of the body
• Malignant tumors:
  • may be a threat to life
  • often can be removed but sometimes grow back
  • can invade and damage nearby organs and tissues
  • can spread to other parts of the body

Stomach cancer usually begins in cells in the inner layer of the stomach. Over time, the cancer may invade more deeply into the stomach wall. A stomach tumor can grow through the stomach's outer layer into nearby organs, such as the liver, pancreas, esophagus, or intestine.

Stomach cancer cells can spread by breaking away from the original tumor. They enter blood vessels or lymph vessels, which branch into all the tissues of the body. The cancer cells may be found in lymph nodes near the stomach. The cancer cells may attach to other tissues and grow to form new tumors that may damage those tissues.

The spread of cancer is called metastasis. See the Staging section for information about stomach cancer that has spread.

Risk Factors

When you're told that you have stomach cancer, it's natural to wonder what may have caused the disease. But no one knows the exact causes of stomach cancer. Doctors seldom know why one person develops stomach cancer and another doesn't.

Doctors do know that people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop stomach cancer. A risk factor is something that may increase the chance of getting a disease.

Studies have found the following risk factors for stomach cancer:

• Helicobacter pylori infection: H. pylori is a bacterium that commonly infects the inner lining (the mucosa) of the stomach. Infection with H. pylori can cause stomach inflammation and peptic ulcers. It also increases the risk of stomach cancer, but only a small number of infected people develop stomach cancer. You may want to read the NCI fact sheet H. pylori and Cancer.
• Long-term inflammation of the stomach: People who have conditions associated with long-term stomach inflammation (such as the blood disease pernicious anemia) are at increased risk of stomach cancer. Also, people who have had part of their stomach removed may have long-term stomach inflammation and increased risk of stomach cancer many years after their surgery.
• Smoking: Smokers are more likely than nonsmokers to develop stomach cancer. Heavy smokers are most at risk.
• Family history: Close relatives (parents, brothers, sisters, or children) of a person with a history of stomach cancer are somewhat more likely to develop the disease themselves. If many close relatives have a history of stomach cancer, the risk is even greater.
• Poor diet, lack of physical activity, or obesity:
  • Studies suggest that people who eat a diet high in foods that are smoked, salted, or pickled have an increased risk for stomach cancer. On the other hand, people who eat a diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables may have a lower risk of this disease.
  • A lack of physical activity may increase the risk of stomach cancer.
  • Also, people who are obese may have an increased risk of cancer developing in the upper part of the stomach.

Most people who have known risk factors do not develop stomach cancer. For example, many people have an H. pylori infection but never develop cancer.

On the other hand, people who do develop the disease sometimes have no known risk factors.


Symptoms

Early stomach cancer often does not cause symptoms. As the cancer grows, the most common symptoms are:

• Discomfort or pain in the stomach area
• Difficulty swallowing
• Nausea and vomiting
• Weight loss
• Feeling full or bloated after a small meal
• Vomiting blood or having blood in the stool

Most often, these symptoms are not due to cancer. Other health problems, such as an ulcer or infection, can cause the same symptoms. Anyone who has these symptoms should tell their doctor so that problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.

Diagnosis

If you have symptoms that suggest stomach cancer, your doctor will check to see whether they are due to cancer or to some other cause. Your doctor may refer you to a gastroenterologist, a doctor whose specialty is diagnosing and treating digestive problems.

Your doctor will ask about your personal and family health history. You may have blood or other lab tests. You also may have:

• Physical exam: Your doctor feels your abdomen for fluid, swelling, or other changes. Your doctor also will check for swollen lymph nodes.
• Endoscopy: Your doctor uses a thin, lighted tube (endoscope) to look into your stomach. Your doctor first numbs your throat with an anesthetic spray. You also may receive medicine to help you relax. The tube is passed through your mouth and esophagus to the stomach.
• Biopsy: An endoscope has a tool for removing tissue. Your doctor uses the endoscope to remove tissue from the stomach. A pathologist checks the tissue under a microscope for cancer cells. A biopsy is the only sure way to know if cancer cells are present.

You may want to ask your doctor these questions before having a biopsy:

• How will the biopsy be done?
• Will it hurt?
• Are there any risks? What are the chances of infection or bleeding after the biopsy?
• When can I resume my normal diet?
• How soon will I know the results?
• If I do have cancer, who will talk with me about the next steps? When?
• 
  

Staging

If the biopsy shows that you have stomach cancer, your doctor needs to learn the stage (extent) of the disease to help you choose the best treatment.

Staging is a careful attempt to find out the following:

• How deeply the tumor invades the wall of the stomach
• Whether the stomach tumor has invaded nearby tissues
• Whether the cancer has spread and, if so, to what parts of the body.

When stomach cancer spreads, cancer cells may be found in nearby lymph nodes, the liver, the pancreas, esophagus, intestine, or other organs. Your doctor may order blood tests and other tests to check these areas:

• Chest x-ray: An x-ray of your chest can show whether cancer has spread to the lungs.
• CT scan: An x-ray machine linked to a computer takes a series of detailed pictures of your organs. You may receive an injection of dye. The dye makes abnormal areas easier to see. Tumors in your liver, pancreas, or elsewhere in the body can show up on a CT scan.
• Endoscopic ultrasound: Your doctor passes a thin, lighted tube (endoscope) down your throat. A probe at the end of the tube sends out sound waves that you cannot hear. The waves bounce off tissues in your stomach and other organs. A computer creates a picture from the echoes. The picture can show how deeply the cancer has invaded the wall of the stomach. Your doctor may use a needle to take tissue samples of lymph nodes.
• Laparoscopy: A surgeon makes small incisions (cuts) in your abdomen. The surgeon inserts a thin, lighted tube (laparoscope) into the abdomen. The surgeon may remove lymph nodes or take tissue samples for biopsy.

Sometimes staging is not complete until after surgery to remove the tumor and nearby lymph nodes.

When stomach cancer spreads from its original place to another part of the body, the new tumor has the same kind of abnormal cells and the same name as the primary (original) tumor. For example, if stomach cancer spreads to the liver, the cancer cells in the liver are actually stomach cancer cells. The disease is metastatic stomach cancer, not liver cancer. For that reason, it is treated as stomach cancer, not liver cancer. Doctors call the new tumor "distant" or metastatic disease.

These are the stages of stomach cancer:

• Stage 0: The tumor is found only in the inner layer of the stomach. Stage 0 is also calledcarcinoma in situ.
• Stage I is one of the following:
  • The tumor has invaded only the submucosa. (The picture shows the layers of the stomach.) Cancer cells may be found in up to 6 lymph nodes.
  • Or, the tumor has invaded the muscle layer or subserosa. Cancer cells have not spread to lymph nodes or other organs.
• Stage II is one of the following:
• The tumor has invaded only the submucosa. Cancer cells have spread to 7 to 15 lymph nodes.
• Or, the tumor has invaded the muscle layer or subserosa. Cancer cells have spread to 1 to 6 lymph nodes.
• Or, the tumor has penetrated the outer layer of the stomach. Cancer cells have not spread to lymph nodes or other organs.
• Stage III is one of the following:
  • The tumor has invaded the muscle layer or subserosa. Cancer cells have spread to 7 to 15 lymph nodes.
  • Or, the tumor has penetrated the outer layer. Cancer cells have spread to 1 to 15 lymph nodes.
  • Or, the tumor has invaded nearby organs, such as the liver, colon, or spleen. Cancer cells have not spread to lymph nodes or to distant organs.
• Stage IV is one of the following:
• Cancer cells have spread to more than 15 lymph nodes.
• Or, the tumor has invaded nearby organs and at least 1 lymph node.
• Or, cancer cells have spread to distant organs.
• 
  

Treatment

Surgery
Chemotherapy
Radiation Therapy

The choice of treatment depends mainly on the size and location of the tumor, the stage of disease, and your general health.

Treatment for stomach cancer may involve surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. You'll probably receive more than one type of treatment. For example, chemotherapy may be given before or after surgery. It's often given at the same time as radiation therapy.

You may want to talk with your doctor about taking part in a clinical trial, a research study of new treatment methods. Clinical trials are an important option for people at any stage of stomach cancer. See Taking Part in Cancer Research.

You may have a team of specialists to help plan your treatment. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist, or you may ask for a referral. Specialists who treat stomach cancer include gastroenterologists,surgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists. Your health care team may also include anoncology nurse and a registered dietitian.

Your health care team can describe your treatment choices, the expected results, and the possible side effects. Because cancer therapy often damages healthy cells and tissues, side effects are common. Before treatment starts, ask your health care team about possible side effects, how to prevent or reduce these effects, and how treatment may change your normal activities. You and your health care team can work together to make a treatment plan that meets your needs.

You may want to ask your doctor these questions before you begin treatment:

• What is the stage of the disease? Has the cancer spread? Do any lymph nodes show signs of cancer?
• What is the goal of treatment? What are my treatment choices? Which do you suggest for me? Why?
• What are the expected benefits of each kind of treatment?
• What can I do to prepare for treatment?
• Will I need to stay in the hospital? If so, for how long?
• What are the risks and possible side effects of each treatment? How can side effects be managed?
• What is the treatment likely to cost? Will my insurance cover it?
• How will treatment affect my normal activities? Am I likely to have eating or other problems?
• Would a research study (clinical trial) be a good choice for me?
• Can you recommend other doctors who could give me a second opinion about my treatment options?
• How often should I have checkups?

Surgery

The type of surgery for stomach cancer depends mainly on where the cancer is located. The surgeon may remove the whole stomach or only the part that has the cancer.

You and your surgeon can talk about the types of surgery and which may be right for you:

• Partial (subtotal) gastrectomy for tumors at the lower part of the stomach: The surgeon removes the lower part of the stomach with the cancer. The surgeon attaches the remaining part of the stomach to the intestine. Nearby lymph nodes and other tissues may also be removed.
• Total gastrectomy for tumors at the upper part of the stomach: The surgeon removes the entire stomach, nearby lymph nodes, parts of the esophagus and small intestine, and other tissues near the tumor. Rarely, the spleen also may be removed. The surgeon then connects the esophagus directly to the small intestine.

The time it takes to heal after surgery is different for each person, and you may be in the hospital for a week or longer. You may have pain for the first few days. Medicine can help control your pain. Before surgery, you should discuss the plan for pain relief with your doctor or nurse. After surgery, your doctor can adjust the plan if you need more pain relief.

Many people who have stomach surgery feel tired or weak for a while. Your health care team will watch for signs of bleeding, infection, or other problems that may require treatment.

The surgery can also cause constipation or diarrhea. These symptoms usually can be controlled with diet changes and medicine. 

You may want to ask your doctor these questions before having surgery:

• What kind of surgery do you recommend for me? Why?
• Will you remove lymph nodes? Will you remove other tissue? Why?
• How will I feel after surgery?
• Will I need a special diet?
• If I have pain, how will you control it?
• How long will I be in the hospital?
• Am I likely to have eating problems?
• Will I have any long-term side effects?

Chemotherapy

Most people with stomach cancer get chemotherapy. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells.

It may be given before or after surgery. After surgery, radiation therapy may be given along with chemotherapy.

The drugs that treat stomach cancer are usually given through a vein (intravenous). You'll probably receive a combination of drugs.

You may receive chemotherapy in an outpatient part of the hospital, at the doctor's office, or at home. Some people need to stay in the hospital during treatment.

The side effects depend mainly on which drugs are given and how much. Chemotherapy kills fast-growing cancer cells, but the drugs can also harm normal cells that divide rapidly:

• Blood cells: When drugs lower the levels of healthy blood cells, you're more likely to get infections, bruise or bleed easily, and feel very weak and tired. Your health care team will check for low levels of blood cells. If your levels are low, your health care team may stop the chemotherapy for a while or reduce the dose of the drug. There are also medicines that can help your body make new blood cells.
• Cells in hair roots: Chemotherapy may cause hair loss. If you lose your hair, it will grow back after treatment, but the color and texture may be changed.
• Cells that line the digestive tract: Chemotherapy can cause a poor appetite, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, or mouth and lip sores. Your health care team can give you medicines and suggest other ways to help with these problems. They usually go away when treatment ends.

Some drugs used for stomach cancer also may cause a skin rash, hearing loss, and tingling or numbness in your hands and feet. Your health care team can suggest ways to control many of these side effects.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. It affects cells only in the part of the body that is treated. Radiation therapy is usually given with chemotherapy to treat stomach cancer.

The radiation comes from a large machine outside the body. You'll go to a hospital or clinic for treatment. Treatments are usually 5 days a week for several weeks.

Side effects depend mainly on the dose and type of radiation. External radiation therapy to the chest and abdomen may cause a sore throat, pain similar to heartburn, or pain in the stomach or the intestine. You may have nausea and diarrhea. Your health care team can give you medicines to prevent or control these problems.

It's common for the skin in the treated area to become red, dry, tender, and itchy.

You're likely to become very tired during radiation therapy, especially in the later weeks of treatment. Resting is important, but doctors usually advise patients to try to stay active, unless it leads to pain or other problems.

Although the side effects of radiation therapy can be distressing, your doctor can usually treat or control them. Also, side effects usually go away after treatment ends.

Nutrition after Stomach Surgery

After stomach surgery, you may need to take daily supplements of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin D, calcium, and iron. You may also need vitamin B12 shots.

Some people have problems eating and drinking after stomach surgery. Liquids may pass into the small intestine too fast, which causes dumping syndrome. The symptoms are cramps, nausea, bloating, diarrhea, and dizziness. To prevent these symptoms, it may help to make the following changes:

• Plan to have smaller, more frequent meals (some doctors suggest 6 meals per day)
• Drink liquids before or after meals
• Cut down on very sweet foods and drinks (such as cookies, candy, soda, and juices)
• Ask your health care team if they can suggest medicine to control the symptoms

Cancer That Blocks the Digestive Tract

People with advanced stomach cancer may develop a tumor that blocks the passage of food through the digestive tract. Your health care team may suggest one or more of the following options:

• Stent: The doctor uses an endoscope to place a stent (a tube made of metal mesh or plastic) in your intestine. Food and liquid can pass through the center of the tube.
• Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy may help shrink the tumor that is blocking the intestine.
• Laser therapy: A laser is a concentrated beam of intense light that kills tissue with heat. The doctor uses an endoscope to place the laser in your digestive tract. The laser destroys the cancer cells blocking the digestive tract.