Hormone Therapy Has A Stronger Impact On A Woman’s Quality Of Life Than Chemo, Study Finds

A French study has found that hormone therapy has a greater impact on a woman’s quality of life than chemotherapy two years after a breast cancer diagnosis.

Hormone therapy (also called endocrine therapy) is given to breast cancer patients whose cancer is fueled be either estrogen or progesterone, or both. Roughly two out of every three breast cancers is hormone-positive. Hormone therapy is systemic — meaning that it targets cancer cells throughout the body, not just in the breast. It is typically taken for five to ten years.

Chemotherapy can be given before or after breast cancer surgery, and is the primary treatment for metastatic breast cancer. It is given in cycles, which can least weeks to months at a time. Chemo attacks fast-growing cells like cancer cells, but also the quick-growing cells in your bone marrow, hair follicles, and digestive tract.

Side effects for both treatments can range from mild to severe. Yet a common perception is that chemotherapy has worse side effects and more negatively impacts a woman’s quality of life. This study found that perception to be wrong.

The study was published in the Annals of Oncology and was conducted by Institut Gustave Roussy. The data was pulled from patients who were part of the CANTO cohort (“CANcer TOxicities”). This cohort is a group of 20,000 breast cancer patients who will be studied over a period of ten years, with the specific goal of quantifying and preventing chronic toxicities related to treatment.

Researchers measured quality of life in 4,262 breast cancer patients from the CANTO cohort, using two different tools: one which assessed general quality of life in patients with all types of cancer (EORTC QLQ-C30), and a tool that specifically assessed quality of life in breast cancer patients (QLQ-BR23).

All the patients in the study had localized breast cancer that was stage I, II, or III. Quality of life was measured at the time of diagnosis, one year after the diagnosis, and two years after the diagnosis.

For all of the women in this study, the primary treatment method was surgery. Some of them also had chemotherapy and/or radiation. About 75-80% of them had to take hormone therapy for a minimum of 5 years. Roughly one-third of the women were premenopausal, with the other two-thirds being postmenopausal.

Researchers found that, overall, quality of life was worse two years after diagnosis for patients who were taking hormone therapy, especially patients who were menopausal. Quality of life was also worse for a longer period of time compared to chemo. Hormone therapy had a detrimental effect on a variety of areas and symptoms, including role and social function, pain, insomnia, systemic therapy side-effects, breast symptoms, emotional function, and future perspective recovery.

Chemo had a negative impact on physical and cognitive function, dyspnea, financial difficulties, body image, and breast symptoms. But, while rough at the onset, chemo lasts only a short time in comparison to hormone therapy, and was not shown to have a persistent negative impact on quality of life at two years post-diagnosis.

The effects of each treatment were different for premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Chemo had a stronger negative effect on quality of life for premenopausal women at first — especially on cognitive function. But for postmenopausal patients, hormone therapy was more frequently associated with lowered quality of life.


The findings of the study suggest a significant downside to hormone therapy, and this is something patients need to be made aware of. However, the benefits can certainly outweigh the risks in many situations. Additional support for patients undergoing hormone therapy should be considered.

“It is important in the future that we are able to predict which women are going to develop severe symptoms with anti-hormonal treatment so that we can support them,” said Dr. Inès Vaz-Luis, a specialist breast cancer oncologist and researcher who directed the study. “It will also be important in the future to differentiate prior to treatment patients who are at high risk of relapse from those at lower risk in order to tailor hormone treatment. This may be done to avoid escalation of anti-hormonal treatment in certain patients.

“Hormone therapy is extremely effective in treating breast cancer, resulting in a reduction by approximately 50% in the risk of relapse. The finding of adverse effects does not in any way put into question the excellent risk/benefit ratio of this treatment.”

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Health Benefits Of Drrinking Cumin And Cumin Water ( Jal Jeera)

Jal Jeera Benefits

Popular across most culinary traditions across Asia as a cooking ingredient, Jeera or cumin (Cuminum Cyminum) has a tepid kind of aroma and a strong flavor which make it an essential spice in food preparations.

Cumin seeds water benefits

Jal Jeera or cumin seeds water is a popular drink that has amazing health benefits. Jal Jeera is prepared by boiling a handful of jeera in water and straining the decoction. A glass full of cumin seeds water can be drunk once or thrice a day. Read on to know how this simple drink can help in maintaining good health.

Promotes digestion

Researches show that Jeera water can aid digestion. Regular intake of jal jeera can promote the secretion of fat and carbohydrate breaking enzymes. The range of stomach related problems that cumin seed water can remedy include atonic dyspepsia, morning sickness, diarrhea, flatulence and nausea in addition to mal-absorption syndrome.

Boosts up the immune system

Cumin seeds are a rich source of iron. Therefore it is highly helpful in boosting up the immune system of the body. A dejection prepared from just a spoonful of jeera seeds contains 1.3 mg of iron. Also, the good amount of Vitamin A and C can support the antioxidant benefits. Therefore regular intake of jal jeera is a sure way to stay free of several diseases.

 

Eliminates toxins

Jeera water has several advantages for liver and stomach health. This drink is rich in antioxidants and can therefore help flush toxic substances out of the body. In addition, it can also promote the regular functioning of different organs. The dietary fiber in cumin seeds water can help expel the harmful waste from the body and also ease the bowel movement.

Treats anemia

Cumin seeds water is a proven remedy to anemia due to the rich iron content. Iron has several crucial functions in the human body including formation of red blood corpuscles and enhancing the amount of hemoglobin in the blood. Therefore you can fight iron deficiency in the body and remedy anemia.

Promotes women’s health

Jeera water is found to be highly good for pregnant women and lactating women. It can also supply the iron necessary for the growth and development of the fetus. Therefore pregnant women and lactating women can depend on cumin seeds water to stay healthy.

Strengthens the respiratory system

Jal jeera has a strong anti-congestive benefit. It can help dilute the mucous accumulated in the chest and thus decongestant the lungs. The antiseptic properties of cumin seeds water can kill the microorganisms that are responsible for cold, cough and fever.

Ensures quality sleep

Jeera water is a highly dependable remedy for curing insomnia or sleeplessness. Consuming Jal jeera regularly, you can get sound sleep for extended hours.
 

Enhances memory

Jal Jeera is found to enhance memory power by promoting brain health. Give cumin seeds water regularly to your kids from young age and see their intelligence and memory sharpen.

Supports skin health

Often skin is the mirror that reflects the internal health. Since jeera water can promote the health of your vital organs and improve the overall health, you can find a remarkable change in the complexion, texture and smoothness of your skin as a result. It can bestow a natural glow to your facial skin.

Rehydrate Body
 

Drinking luke warm jeera water is considered as to rehydrate the human body and keep refresh all the time.

  Promote Digestive System Functioning
It helps in improving the saliva secretion, enhancing appetite and relieving the digestive disorders.

  Effective Remedy for Many Problems
It also provides relief from the chills, reduce swellings, relieve breathing difficulties, regulate bowel movements, relief joint infections, treat umbilical hernia, treat intestinal diseases, eyes problems and toothache.

  Reduces Baby Crying
It helps to get rid from the constant crying in the children.

  Improves Milk Production in Mothers
Eating cumin seeds in food and drink its water improves the breast feeding in the lactating mother.

  Maintains Blood Sugar Level
It manages the proper blood content in the body and lowers the blood sugar level in the blood.

 Treats Anemia
Because of its richness in the iron content, it helps in treating the anemia by maintaining the haemoglobin content of the blood.

  Keeps Body Fresh
It increases the blood haemoglobin level thus enhances the oxygen carrying capacity of the cells throughout the body.

 Boosts Immunity System
It is a very good anti-oxidant spice which fights with the free radicals in the body and enhances the body immunity to better fights with all the infections.

  Promotes Healthy Menstruation
It is very beneficial for the women of all age group as it helps in maintaining the healthy menstrual cycle.

  Prevents from Cancer
It is very effective against the cancer and prevents from the colon, stomach, liver and breast cancer as it contains the variety of anti-carcinogenic agents such as thymol, dithymoquinone, thymoquinone, thymohydroquinone and anti-oxidants like eugenol and limonene.

  Cures Respiratory Problems
Jeera seeds are rich in the Vitamin C and have anti fungal properties thus aids in curing the cold including other respiratory problems.

  It Regularizes Metabolism Process
It also helps in maintaining the kidney health and metabolism process.  Prevents from Digestive Disorders
Starting every morning with a glass of jeera water helps to fight with the various disorders such as morning sickness, diarrhoea, flatulence, nausea, dyspepsia, mal-absorption syndrome as it helps in stimulating the secretion of enzymes which breaks the carbohydrate, glucose and fat.

 Prevents from Acidity
Soak a tsp of jeera in a glass of water for the entire night and drink it in morning, it facilitates the bile production by the liver which relieves from the bloating, acidity, abdominal gas and etc.

  Clears Respiratory Passage
Jeera water clears up the respiratory passage by diluting all the collected mucous in chest. It acts as an antiseptic which kills the microorganisms and prevents from the cold, cough and fever.

 Soothes Sore Throat
Taking jeera water with some ginger soothes the sore throat.

  Effective for Whole Body
It is rich in the flavonoid phenolic anti-oxidants like zea-xanthin, carotenes and lutein which have lots of beneficial effects on the body.

 Prevents from Pile
It speeds up the digestive processes and reduces the risk of piles.

  Keeps Blood Pressure Normal
Potassium content available in the jeera maintains the blood pressure and heart rate thus prevents from the hypertension.

  Treats Diarrhea
Taking roasted cumin seeds powder with dahi or lassi helps in treating diarrhea or dysentery problems. 

  Benefits of Jeera for Breast Feeding (Lactating) Women
 
Enhances Breast Milk Production
Eating roasted jeera seeds into ghee with dal or adding it to the laddoo or halwa helps in enhancing the breast milk production during lactation.

Benefits of Jeera Powder

Promotes Fast Wounds Healing
Powdered cumin is a very good laxative and has anti fungal and anti microbial properties, thus enhances the wounds healing process.

  Effective for Many Problems
Using roasted jeera/cumin powder in the recipe helps in treating the diarrhoea, support the stomach muscles, remove intestinal gas problems, enhance urination as well as increase the sexual desire.

Benefits of Jeera Water

Jeera water has lots of health benefits which includes the following:

Benefits of Jeera Water during Pregnancy

Increases Hemoglobin Count
Jeera is very in the iron which is very good for the pregnant and lactating women.

  Reduces Risk of Birth Defects
It prevents the fetus from various birth defects.

  Promotes Milk Secretion
Roasted cumin seeds enhance the milk secretion in breastfeeding mothers.

Benefits of Jeera Water for Skin

Removes Toxin
Jeera seeds are full of dietary fibres which remove the toxic materials in the body and cleanse the skin to make it clean, fresh and rejuvenate.  Provides Natural Glow to Skin
It makes the facial skin naturally glowing and healthy.

  Provides Nourishment to Skin
It boosts up the skin functioning and enhances its ability to absorb more essential nutrients to be nourished and healthy.

  Makes Skin Smooth
It has necessary minerals (potassium, calcium, selenium, copper, manganese) playing vital role in keeping the skin supple, soft and smooth.

  Provides Essential Vitamins
Regular intake of the jeera water in the morning provides enough vitamins (vitamin A, C and E) to the body which nourishes the skin.

  Prevents from Ageing
It replenishes the skin and prevents from getting wrinkled thus aids in preventing the premature ageing.

  Keeps Skin Free of Spots
It acts as a natural remedy to remove acne problem. Applying boiled jeera water regularly on the skin makes it toned, clear and acne-free.

  Relieves Skin Inflammation
It soothes the skin by relieving the burning sensation of the skin.

Benefits of Jeera Water for Hair

Promotes Hair Health
Jeera water nourishes the hair follicles and makes it long, flawless, shiny and strong because of its vitamins and minerals contents.

  Makes Hair Shiny
It nourishes the hair by the root and makes it silky and lustrous.

  Benefits of Jeera Water for Weight Loss
Maintains Healthy Weight
It slightly aids in the strategy of the weight management as it stimulates the appetite, removes toxins from the body and treats various digestive disorders including gas and bloating problems.

  Benefits of Jeera Water for Men
Maintains Sexual Health
Drinking jeera water or tea in the morning (empty stomach) improves the sexual health in the men, enhances the sperm production, controls the heart rate and blood pressure.

  Treats Sexual Problems
It also helps in treating the erectile dysfunction, low sperm count, premature ejaculation and sperm virility.

Benefits of Cumin Seeds Oil

Cumin seeds oil extract works as a good stimulant, carminative, anti-oxidant and diuretic. 

  Removes Dandruff
It is greatly used for purposes of aroma therapy, massage and scalp treatment to get rid of dandruff.

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Tackling gestational diabetes in the womb

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus ( GDM) is high blood sugar levels diagnosed during pregnancy,

Pregnancy imposes biological stress on the body. A certain hormone secreted during pregnancy ( Human Placenta Lactogen), interferes in the way insulin normally functions in the body, leading to elevated blood sugar levels for the mother. On an average 3 million women suffer from this problem. Blood sugar level is measured on fasting & 2 hours after consuming 75 mg of glucose solution.

It is estimated that about 10 per cent of women who get pregnant every year develop diabetes during their gestation period, usually in the last trimester. Even with 10 per cent, the numbers in this country are damning: it works out to about three million women every year, counting the total number of annual deliveries at 27 million.

Of these three million women, in 5-10 years after pregnancy, 30 per cent go on to develop Type 2 Diabetes, according to a Dr., adds that in women followed up for 20 years, it was clear that up to 70 per cent of them who had gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) went on to develop diabetes.

And there are clear factors that facilitate this: enormous weight gain after pregnancy, following a sedentary lifestyle and not eating healthy. “When women are pregnant, they listen to everything the doctor says, but once the baby is born, they don’t even return for follow-up checks,”  adds the Dr.

In a sense, we are entering an environment where the family is most willing to do something about the mother’s condition during her pregnancy. This is an opportunity to enable the whole family alter its lifestyle,” according to a Dr.

No wonder then that the diabetes federation has been agitated enough to reach out to these people, by organising training programmes on gestational diabetes for members. Dr.  explains, “This is an effort to address the tsunami of diabetes in this country. The woman who develops diabetes in pregnancy has an increased risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes later in life. In addition, there is a high risk for the baby born to such mothers too.”

While that sounds scary, it is possible, with simple techniques, to ensure that both the mother and foetus remain diabetes free. “Focus on the foetus for the future,” says a Dr.

“The intra-uterine environment is very precious, how a baby shapes out is decided here. It is important to not let the baby in the womb know that the mother has diabetes. It is possible, even with following a recommended meal plan, he says.

Dr.  indicates the accepted protocol to test pregnant women: One dose, 75 mg of glucose solution is used to check the post-prandial sugar levels. Anything in excess of 120 means a need to investigate further. “If we assume that a doctor can do this test just once, then let it be done at 20 weeks.

However, with the more awareness we manage to get out, it will be ideal to test at 12 weeks of pregnancy.” FOGSI and DIPSI together will train 100 master trainers to then train 1000 others in 25 regions across the country.

“We hope to map and tap every single case of GDM in the country. Intervention with follow-up over several years is the only way to prevent mothers moving into diabetes,” says a Dr.