Q & Answered #2 | 16 Foods and their Link

Following our recent Q&A with nutritionist Diane Nicolas (read our previous Q&A with her here), we had another important question – or shall we say several mini-questions – to ask her.

We've all heard the rumors that soy sauce may be linked to cancer.. Are they true? Find out more below. Image Source: People's Pharmacy

Question: Some studies (not fully proven) have stated that certain foods play a role in raising the risk of developing cancer. Please let us know if the below food items are in fact linked or not: 

(Yes = Linked, No = Not Linked)

Diane’s Answers: 

1. Sugar: No, but gaining weight is linked to breast cancer.

2. Red Meat/Processed Meat (such as hot dogs and bacon): Yes, it contains food    additives harmful to the body.

3. Vitamin D: No

4. Acidic Foods: No

5. Soy Sauce: In moderation, no.

6. Drinking from Plastic Bottles: If it’s a single use then no but if it’s repetitive then yes. We should not use the same bottle more than once.

7. Soda: If its only 1 can per day, then no.

8. Caffeine – Coffee, Tea and Chocolate: No, but of course we should eat chocolate in moderation because gaining weight can cause breast cancer.

9. Milk and Dairy Products: No, they are good. Even breast-feeding can decrease the risk of certain cancers for the baby when it grows up.

10. Alcohol (except Red Wine): In moderation it doesn’t cause breast cancer. Even red wine if you exceed in drinking it can be harmful. In general red wine is better than any other alcohol because it contains resveratrol which is an antioxidant that fights free radicals in our body . However, some studies (not fully proven) claim that red wine has no advantage on other alcohols.

11. Hydrogenated Oils/ Trans-Fat (in French fries for example): Yes, of course. If once a week it wouldn’t be harmful eating a very small amount of French fries (like 10 pieces), but it shouldn’t be consumed daily. Same thing goes on everything fried.

12. Doughnuts & Cookies: Yes, if abused due to the hydrogenated fat in them.

13. Avocados & Grapefruits: No, in fact they have a beneficial effect.

14. Salt: We must limit our consumption of salt for other reasons, such as hypertension, and sometimes during the breast cancer treatment it should be even less consumed, or stopped depending on the dose of the cortisone that the patient is taking during his/her treatment.

15. Salad Dressings: No, but we should always be careful about gaining weight and we should check for the source of the oil in it.

16. Skin from Poultry and Fish: As the skin from poultry contains fat, then yes, it is better to avoid it. But on the other hand, fish skin is very important because it contains Omega 3 which is very healthy so of course it is completely fine to eat it.

The consumption of over-fried (burnt) foods or any other foods that contain harmful additives should really be avoided.

They might look tasty, but you'll regret it later on. Avoid fried foods! Image Source: cdtbk

On the other hand, the following are some healthy foods that may play a role in helping you reduce your risk of breast cancer:

• Apples
• Blueberries
• Broccoli and Cruciferous Vegetables
• Cranberries
• Flaxseed
• Squash
• Beans
• Berries
• Dark Green Leafy Vegetables
• Garlic
• Grapes and Grape Juice
• Green Tea
• Soy beans
• Soy milk
• Tomatoes
• Whole Grains

Image Source: My Recipes

The Mediterranean diet contains all the foods mentioned above, so for example fattoush, makhlouta, spinach and rice, and stuffed vine leaves are all great recipes for your health.

To get in touch with Diane Nicolas for an appointment or other questions, feel free to email her on:  diane.nicolas@live.com

Q & Answered #1 | Food and Cancer Treatment

We’d like to introduce you to the lovely Diane Nicolas, an experienced nutritionist currently working with cancer patients in the oncology department at one of the biggest hospitals inBeirut. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetic from USJ along with a Masters in Human Nutrition. Diane has also been involved in several nutritional awareness programs at schools, including teaching children about the importance of good nutrition.

Diane’s been working with breast cancer patients, and within the oncology department in general, for 7 months now and 1 out of 10 of her cancer patients is usually a breast cancer case.

We recently did a lengthy interview with Diane and she was kind enough to share some invaluable insight on the topic of nutrition as it relates to breast cancer patients (and cancer patients in general). To give each of her detailed answers their due attention, we’ll be sharing them in individual posts as part of a upcoming Q&A section of our website, starting with this one:

Question: Women undergoing chemotherapy tend to feel very tired due to the harsh chemicals in their bodies, as well as undergoing other symptoms relating to food in general. What are your recommendations for overcoming those side effects during treatment?

Image Source: MSN Health

Diane’s Answer: Cancer treatment effects the eating behavior of patients and our job is to accommodate their diet during their treatment as it can cause nausea, vomiting, apotheosis, diarrhea or constipation. These are all gastrointestinal problems that require a specific dietetic approach. At certain periods during treatment, the patient’s immunity is weakened and it’s crucial to provide them with the proper nutritional education to prevent food contamination due to their heightened sensitivity.

In the case of any of the following reactions, the following is recommended:

a) Loss of Appetite

• Eating frequent meals and snacks that are easy to prepare.
• Liquid supplements may improve total energy intake and body function and may work well when eating solids is difficult.
• Other liquids that contain energy may also help, such as juices, soups, milk, shakes and fruit smoothies.

Types of foods recommended: cheese and crackers, muffins, puddings, nuts, chocolate, nutritional supplements, milkshakes, yogurt, ice cream, powdered milk or eggs added to foods such as puree, soups, or any other recipe that requires milk, and lastly, fruit cocktail that is low in added sugar.

Image Source: WebMD

b) Alterations to taste and/or smell

Alterations in taste can be related to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, dental problems, mucositis and infection (thrush) or medications. Rinsing the mouth before eating may help improve the taste of food.

• Use plastic utensils if foods taste metallic.
• Try eating your favorite foods.
• Have others prepare the meal.
• Substitute red meat with poultry, fish, eggs or cheese.
• A vegetarian diet could be useful, choose high-protein recipes.
• Use sugar-free lemon drops, gum, or mints when experiencing a metallic or bitter taste in the mouth.
• Add spices and sauces to foods.
• Eat meat with something sweet, such as applesauce.

 c) Xerostomia (Dry Mouth)

• Drink plenty of liquids (25–30 ml/kg per day). Keep water handy at all times to moisten the mouth, and eat moist foods with extra sauces.
• Drink fruit nectar instead of juice.
• Use a straw to drink liquids.
• Eat hard candies, frozen desserts such as frozen grapes, chewing gum or flavored ice pops.
• Perform oral hygiene at least 4 times a day (after each meal and before bedtime). Avoid rinses containing alcohol.
• Consume very sweet or tart foods and beverages, which may stimulate saliva.

 d) Mucositis/Stomatitis

• Eat foods that are soft, easy to chew and swallow. Some conditions may require processing foods in a blender. Irritants may include acidic, spicy and salty foods.
• Eat foods cold or at room temperature; hot and warm foods can irritate a tender mouth.
• Practice good mouth care.

e) Nausea

• Eat dry foods such as crackers, breadsticks, or toast, throughout the day.
• Eat bland, soft, easy-to-digest foods rather than heavy meals.
• Avoid cooking odors.
• Rinse out the mouth before and after eating.
• Suck on hard candies such as peppermints or lemon drops if the mouth has a bad taste.

f) Diarrhea

• Soups, sports drinks, bananas, and canned fruits may be helpful for the replenishment of electrolytes.
• Diarrhea may worsen with greasy foods, hot or cold liquids, or caffeine.
• Limit milk to 2 cups or eliminate milk and milk products until the source of the problem is determined.
• Limit gas-forming foods and beverages such as soda, cruciferous vegetables, legumes and lentils and chewing gum.
• Limit the use of sugar-free candies or gum made with sugar alcohol (sorbitol).

Image Source: WebMD

g) Constipation

• Eat more fiber-containing foods on a regular basis. The recommended fiber intake is 25 to 35 grams per day (beans, vegetables, whole cereals, vegetables, etc). Fiber should be gradually added to the diet, and adequate fluids must be consumed at the same time.
• Drink 8 to 10 cups of fluid each day; beverages such as water, prune juice and warm juices, decaffeinated teas, and lemonade can be particularly helpful.
• Take walks and exercise regularly (proper footwear is important).

To get in touch with Diane Nicolas for an appointment or other questions, feel free to email her on:  diane.nicolas@live.com

Inspiration Collection | Print Out-ables

There’s truly lots of helpful information online regarding breast cancer awareness, but it often goes ignored for being either too deja-vu, medical or boring. We strongly believe in the role design plays in getting the right message across so we spent a few days looking online for the most creative samples out there. Below are a few of our favorites and feel free to share them with others or print them out to serve as reminders when needed:

Source: Worldwide Breast Cancer

Source: I Heart Guts

Source: Asbestos News (Click to see enlarged)

Check out more from our collection of creative self-check tips and references here. We’ll keep adding to it along the way and if you have spotted some interesting breast cancer awareness flyers, campaigns or ads, please share with us by email to onewigstand@gmail.com or by posting directly on our Facebook page.

The Wig Experience at Eve by Karkafi

“They share with us their story. We share with them their worry.”

Staff Member at Eve by Karkafi (Zalka Branch)

Karkafi Group was established in 1968 primarily as a retail specialist of wigs. As styling trends evolved, so did their products and service offerings. They now serve as the leading retailer of wigs, hair extensions (clips, fixed or removable) and other hair accessories in the Middle East with branches in Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, Syria, Sudan, Qatar and the UAE.

An assortment of wigs and styles welcome you at Eve by Karkafi. We visited their Zalka branch, photographed here. (Photograph by One Wig Stand/Loryne Atoui)

What drew our attention to their wig boutique, Eve by Karkafi, was that many breast cancer patients inLebanon visit them prior to or during their chemotherapy treatment. During our meeting with Maggie Keshishian, Karkafi Group’s Marketing Executive, we learned that on average they have at least one new breast cancer patient visiting each day in addition to 2 to 3 women who come daily for general wig maintenance. “Unfortunately, lately there are many more cases of breast cancer inLebanon.. We get a lot of visits.. There are even children that come to get fitted” adds Maggie.

Alongside customized styling for wigs, Eve by Karkafi manufacture their own wigs and utilize fine mono fiber for the scalp area to give a more natural look. Wigs on average cost around $300, but breast cancer patients receive a special discount as well as a complimentary wig stand and a small gift (such as a comb or mirror).

Breast cancer patients, in general, are advised to go for 100% natural wigs (made from human hair) as opposed to synthetic ones as they last longer and are more versatile for styling. Maggie adds that “The wig needs to ideally be “her”.. She shouldn’t feel like she’s wearing anything and feel comfortable in her own skin.. Natural wigs definitely offer more options. They can be blow-dried, straightened, dyed and styled on demand for a special occasion for example.”

Wig stands and a styling booth for the wigs that need extra care (Photograph by One Wig Stand/Loryne Atoui)

For any woman in this condition, choosing a wig can in and of itself be a very difficult experience. “A woman who’s undergoing treatment is emotionally distressed.. We do our best to replicate her wig in the exact style she had naturally so she doesn’t feel a difference.. This is one the best ways we can help them. Few women will make a drastic change in their look during this phase.. Our staff also give them lots of hope and share stories of other customers who had overcome the disease” Maggie shared. Some survivors additionally donate their wigs to NGOs through their store so that other women may also benefit from them.

To make the transition easier for new patients, the stylists at Eve by Karkafi also offer to cut the woman’s hair which, firstly, reduces the shock they may encounter once their hair starts to shed and, secondly, allows the wig fit better. The experience is made even more personal through various private rooms set aside for such occasions. Each styling booth also comes with curtains that can be sealed based on the customer’s preferences. That allows the woman to feel more comfortable in trying and finding the right wig.

Completely private rooms for wig fittings and styling at Eve by Karkafi's Zalka branch (Photograph by One Wig Stand/Loryne Atoui)

Semi-private sections at Eve by Karkafi's Zalka branch that close with curtains while not isolating you completely from others (Photograph by One Wig Stand/Loryne Atoui)

What’s the true secret behind Eve by Karkafi, besides their unlimited assortment of wigs? It’s the staff. Good-humored and ready to help, they also have a tremendous responsibility to make their customers feel at ease especially if they’re going through such a drastic transition. “When she finally finds the right wig, she gets emotional and it’s our job to make her feel better.” shared a staff member who showed us around.

Wigs and extensions in any style imaginable. Some customers come for a complete look change, while others look for ways to accentuate their current styles (Photograph by One Wig Stand/Loryne Atoui)

Below we’ve included a few quick tips on this topic that were shared to us during this visit:

 How to Select the Best Wig for You:

• Choose your wig before you start chemotherapy that way you’ll have it ready when you really need it. It’s much harder to go through this process once your hair starts falling and you might not be feeling as well.
• Bring a picture of yourself with your hair at its best. Your wig specialist will have something to base the styling on so it comes out as close as possible to your natural hairstyle.
• Go for a wig that looks the most natural for you and makes you feel comfortable. Avoid drastic changes that you might regret later on or feel constrained by.

How to Take Care of Your Wig:

• Comb it on a regular basis to avoid tangling.
• Eve by Karkafi recommend you take it to your wig specialist every two weeks for cleaning and general maintenance
• Put your wig on a wig stand instead to preserve its style. It’ll last a lot longer if you take care of it.

You may also donate your hair to make wigs at Eve by Karkafi and help cancer patients with your contribution. Read more about how to prepare your hair for donations in our previous post “Hair Today, Hers Tomorrow“. For additional information on wig stores in the Middle East, check out our regularly updated directory here.

Breast Cancer Update: What Every Interested Person Should Know

Today we attended the 4th Annual Women’s Health Symposium at Clemenceau Medical Center (CMC), organized in partnership with Johns Hopkins Medicine International. Although the symposium was targeted mostly towards doctors and medical professionals, we benefitted greatly from the community lecture “Breast Cancer Update: What Every Interested Person Should Know” by Dr. Nagi Khouri.

Nagi Khouri, M.D. - Director, Division of Breast Imaging at Johns Hopkins Medicine

The presentation started with a focus on the growing numbers of breast cancer cases around the world. Now although it may appear that there’s many more cases in Lebanon than other parts of the world, that’s in large part due to the smaller population ratio.

.. the percentage of breast cancer, even though by incidence is a lot lower, it appears to be that we actually see by percentages and by numbers a larger number of young women because there is so many more [by population]. It’s not that the risk is increasing.. That’s very important to understand.

The highest number of cases recorded were in North America, Western Europe and Australia. Numbers are however increasing in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. In 2010, 1.5 million cases were recorded worldwide – almost double what it was in 1990. It’s important to note though that the curve of survival has also changed in the past 20 years due to drastic improvements in treatment.

Worldwide Breast Cancer Incidence Rates

Turning then towards the risk factors leading to breast cancer, Dr. Khouri explained that:

One of the most important questions for any women is: Am I at risk for developing breast cancer? And who is at risk? Many women say “I’m not getting a mammogram.. We don’t have any predisposing factor”.. 75% of women who develop breast cancer [in fact] share two risk factors: Being a woman and increasing age – usually after the age of 40.. So basically, every woman is at risk for developing breast cancer.. When there’s a family history, it’s an added risk.

It’s recommended that all women as of the age of 40 do an annual mammography (and not every other year as other practices may advocate). Dr. Khouri stressed this point several times during the presentation. 60% (if not more, which is the goal) of breast cancers should be picked up without anyone actually feeling anything in the breast.

The density of breasts actually plays a major role in the detection process. Fat in the breast is actually “a blessing” that renders the breast transparent in the mammogram and revealing any abnormality more clearly than in denser tissues. Women with implants will need to take twice as many pictures and it’s also dependent on where the implant is placed with regards to the breast muscle (ie. in front or behind the muscle).

Mammography is not perfect and its sensitivity will differ by case but it’s the best thing we have so far.

How do we know that mammographies save lives? Remember, mammography is only for detection. If a woman detects breast cancer but doesn’t get treated, then we haven’t really achieved anything..

In the Arab world 80% of women diagnosed with breast cancer are not at the curable stages (stage 3 and 4) which was the case in the Western world 30 years ago. Why such a large discrepancy in the developing world? It’s due to a lack of awareness, education and early detection – and getting the full treatment of course.

Image Source: WebMD

Dr. Khouri also brought up a significant point regarding the importance of self-check exams for every woman:

A lot of the cancers are picked up by women in the shower.. I encourage women to be familiar with their breasts and start that education very early on, in their school [for example], so that a woman is not embarrassed to examine herself. I don’t like to say examine – I prefer to say “be familiar”. Get to know your breasts the same way you know about your nose.. It encourages a woman to be responsible and think about her breast health, including doing a clinical examination of the breast periodically.

If you spot a lump in your breast and you get it checked, never leave without knowing why. You need to get an explanation from your physician. Another cautionary point Dr. Khouri brought forward was that all biopsies should be done only with a needle and not through surgery. It actually harms the woman’s cancer treatment if the biopsy is done by surgery.

No surgical biopsies.. No – ZERO! All women should know that.

Patients-focussed breast care is key and should be accessible, timely, sophisticated, coordinated and comprehensive. Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor questions to better understand your condition. That’s where the right kind of awareness and education can also play a significant role in giving the patient options for their treatment.

Those were just a few of the many key points covered in Dr. Khouri’s presentation. All in all, the presentation was very informative but our only regret was that there weren’t enough women in the audience who could have benefitted from this wealth of knowledge. Hopefully the next symposium will attract even more public attention and further spread awareness from a medical perspective.

Life Lessons from Breast Cancer Survivors

In the past two years since One Wig Stand took off, we’ve had the opportunity to meet and talk to plenty of breast cancer survivors across the region. There’s a lot to learn from these strong women who continue to serve as our key driver to keep spreading awareness and providing support.

Some lessons we’ve learned, and that can truly be applied to any woman, include:

(Image Source: Life Hack)

1. Know your body. Nothing can be more essential to your general well-being than listening to your body and any warning signs it gives you. That’s why medical professionals always advocate self-check exams (and we cannot stress its importance enough). At the end of the day, no matter what anyone tells you, only you can truly know if something is wrong so don’t be ashamed to get to know your body a little bit better. It’s amazing how perceptive our bodies can be.

2. Well-being is a lifestyle. A lot of the survivors we’ve met have opted for healthier lifestyles post-treatment including starting vegetarian diets, doing more physical exercise (yoga is a favorite) and removing all negative habits from their daily routines. That’s not to say that it will 100% guarantee you won’t develop cancer in the future as sometimes it’s genetic and exterior factors play a role, but nevertheless, a healthy lifestyle is always a bonus for your general well-being.

3. Eliminate stress and learn how to say “no”. Oftentimes it takes a drastic experience to realize that you’re under a lot of pressure and that you’re harboring unnecessary stress. We’ve heard time and time again how post-cancer, a lot of these women learned to listen to their inner selves better and be a bit more selfish in the most positive of ways. When you’re a hard-working mom, dedicated to your family or balancing a job, it’s easy to cave in to others’ needs above yours but you need to give yourself a break every now and then. Things that are obviously making you feel stressed and wearing your out can’t be healthy. Find a way to resolve it by either learning a more healthy way to adapt (meditation perhaps) or eliminating it altogether. Saying “no” can be the most freeing feeling in the world so don’t be afraid to say it when you know you should.

4. Prioritize. Another lesson we’ve also learned is the importance of prioritizing. Unfortunately, you only really learn the value of your family and friends during such trying periods, but you don’t need to go through that to realize that they should be getting more priority in your life. Give them their due attention and loving. Is it really necessary to work until midnight each night? We doubt it. Make time for the ones that love you most and use lesson #3 as a good incentive to say “no” when it conflicts with your true priorities.

5. Talk it out. We harbor alot of feelings inside ourselves and don’t let it out enough. Be honest with yourself and with others. Especially when it comes to breast cancer treatment, being able to voice what it is you feel with others is in itself a positive therapy. Taken into anyone’s life, the lesson here is communicate, communicate, communicate! If it’s something you’re feeling, chances are someone else is feeling or has felt something similar. This has encouraged me to always be honest and direct (in a constructive way of course) rather than build resentment or lie to myself.

6. Live more. Personally, this was something I came to realize through my loved one’s experience. I noticed a refreshing change in her attitude to life after her treatment. She wanted to pursue more diverse activities that interested her and travel more. It’s inspired me to this day to always keep my heart close to my life’s ambitions. Nothing makes you realize how valuable life is until you’re faced with such a life-threatening experience – whether directly or indirectly. If you’ve always wanted to do something, stop waiting and just go for it!

Do you have any lessons you’ve learned from an inspirational breast cancer survivor in your life? Please share with us and spread the love.

Interview | Benefits of Laughter Yoga

Laughter Yoga has become a household concept in Lebanon as more people are trying out this new, and might we add very enjoyable, form of stress-relief. Nothing beats laughing your cares away and, as highlighted in this interview with Laughter Yoga’s leading practitioner Sabine Jizi, it also has many health benefits we may not be aware of.

But how does Laughter Yoga benefit One Wig Stand’s key demographic: women diagnosed with or undergoing breast cancer treatment? Find out more in this special one-on-one interview with Sabine as she shares her insight with us:

The smiling founder of Laughter Yoga Beirut, Sabine Jizi (Image Source: Laughter Yoga Beirut)

1. Laughter Yoga is a new practice here in Lebanon, growing quickly in popularity. What are the main benefits of this form of yoga?

Laughter Yoga is not the typical kind of yoga we usually hear about. It is a unique concept whereby anyone can laugh for no reason. It is based on laughter and breathing exercises practiced in a group that allows people to laugh without relying on humor, jokes or comedy.

Of course, this kind of yoga has many health benefits:

• Laughter releases endorphins, giving us the “feel good” factor.
• Acts as aerobic exercise and is like “internal jogging”; 10 minutes of hearty laughter is equivalent to a 30-minute treadmill workout
• Unleashes inhibitions and breaks down barriers. It helps us deal with challenging situations in a more positive way.
• Great team-building tool, which encourages better communication.
• Helps boost our immune system which helps us resist disease.
• Tones muscles, improves respiration and circulation.
• Encourages positive thinking and creativity.
• Blood and all major organs are fully oxygenated, leaving us bursting with energy.
• Promotes cardiovascular health.
• Depression is lifted. Even chronic depression is often cured.
• People who laugh don’t worry as much as people who don’t laugh and, as such, enjoy life more.
• And lastly, laughter makes us feel good because it defuses three of the most painful emotions (fear, anger and boredom) by releasing them.

2. Yoga is recommended as a recovery therapy for women undergoing breast cancer treatment. Have you ever tried the Laughter Yoga practice with breast cancer patients? Please tell us a bit about that experience.

I haven’t held a session for women undergoing breast cancer treatment yet, but I did have the chance to meet a few incredible, powerful women during my certification training in Germany. I was astonished by what laughter had done for them, helping them undergo the treatment in so many different ways.

People bursting into giggles while doing Laughter Yoga (Image Source: Laughter Yoga Beirut)

3. How does Laughter Yoga in particular benefit these women and how did they react to it?

Laughter Yoga is not a replacement for medical treatment, however, it does accelerate the treatment process and helps ease the pain. Laughter was like a free pill for the women I met in Germany; it helped them accept and embrace their situation, and love themselves – no matter how difficult their treatment was.

Laughter Yoga lifted their depression, helped them release their painful emotions and replace them with the “feel good” hormones (Endorphins). It also encouraged them to think positively and helped them deal with their challenging situation in a much more constructive way. It was also a great way for those women to interact together and help each other beat the disease.

It was also a great team-building exercise for them. They felt like they were part of the same team, supporting each other during this period. It certainly helped boost their immune system which accelerated the healing process. Laughter is the best medicine!

One can't help laughing while trying out this new form of yoga! (Image Source: Laughter Yoga Beirut)

4. In your opinion, at what point during or after breast cancer treatment is it advisable to practice Laughter Yoga (or any other form of yoga)?

In my opinion, because laughter offers everybody great health benefits, women diagnosed with breast cancer should definitely practice laughter yoga during their treatment. It helps them in so many ways – even if they were not in the mood to laugh, feel positive or be happy.

The concept of Laughter Yoga is in fact based on a scientific study that says that the human body cannot differentiate between a real laugh or a fake laugh; so either way, one is likely to get the same positive health benefits.

Laughter Yoga becomes a way of thinking and living, and these women can apply it within their lives, after breast cancer, and spread it along within their own surroundings. Laughter is highly contagious!

5. Are there any questions a cancer patient should consult their doctor about before starting Laughter Yoga or can anyone do it regardless of medical conditions?

Usually, anybody can practice Laughter Yoga, but I always encourage people who have a certain medical condition to refer to their doctors first just to be on the safe side – but doctors have never restricted it.

People from Laughter Yoga session in Beirut (Image Source: Laughter Yoga Beirut)

6. Do you plan on doing more sessions for breast cancer patients here in Lebanon in the future?

I’m actually very much looking forward to holding sessions and working with women with breast cancer. I feel like I have so much to offer and teach them. Laughter Yoga will, without a doubt, help them emotionally, mentally and physically. It’s definitely a project I have been thinking about for a while now, hoping to do it in the near future.

We’d like to thank Sabine for taking the time to do this interview with us and sharing her invaluable input on this interesting, new form of yoga. We recommend anyone reading this to give Laughter Yoga a try and giggle their way to a healthier recovery and lifestyle.

Find out more about Laughter Yoga via the website and Facebook page.

Interview | Cansurvive: Insight on Breast Cancer in Egypt

تعد الجمعية المصرية لدعم مرضى السرطان من الجمعيات الرائدة في مجال خدمة مرضى السرطان والناجين منه في مصر. و كنّا قد أجرينا حديث مع احد المسؤولين في الجمعية لنستعرض أبرز نشاطاتها وكيف تساعد مرضى  السرطان والنصائح الي تقدمها

? ما هي نسبة المصابين بسرطان الثدي في مصر؟ وعلى أي عمر يؤثر اجمالا

نسبة الاصابة في مصر 30% من مجمل السرطانات. معدل الاصابة 12500 لسنة 2011

نسبة الاصابة أعلى في السيدات فوق سن ال45

كيف تتجاوب المصابة بسرطان الثدي حين تعرف بمرضها؟ هل تخاف أن تعلن اصابتها؟

في بداية التشخيص بـمرض السرطان يشعر المريض بالخوف, الوحدة, والحزن الشديد وهذه الاحاسيس تؤثر بشكل سلبي على عملية الشفاء. معظم المرضى يتخيلون أن حياتهم قد انتهت أن هذا التشخيص يعني حكم بالموت!  كثير من السيدات تشعر بالخجل من أن تعلن اصابته وكذالك الأهل يشعرون في بعض الأحيان أن هناك شيء يعيب السيدة المصابة بالأخص التي لم تتزوج بعد. طبعا هذا لقلة التوعية والجهل بالمرض. من أكثر الجمل التي يقال “كنت لوحدي, مفيش حد حاسس بيا”

هناك نماذج العكس تماما, عند معرفتها بالاصابة بسرطان الثدي أخذته تحديا وأصبح لديها القوة والايمان أنها ستتغلب عليه. هذه الحالات هي التي نحاول أن نجمعها مع المرضى للاستفادة من خبراتها والدعم النفسي.

كيف يتعامل المجتمع مع المصابين بمرض السرطان؟

دائما بنظرة شفقة. كأنها حكم الموت. كثير من الناس لا تقول سرطان يقولون “المرض الوحش” ذلك لقلة التوعية.

كبف تهتم (CanSurvive) بالمصابين وما هي النشاطات التي تقدمها؟

طموحنا 

أن نعمل دائما على توفير النصح، التوعية والدعم لمرضى السرطان. إن رفع الوعي باحتياجات المرضى والتحديات التي تواجههم من الأمور الأساسية لحشد كافة سبل الدعم التي يمكن أن يقدمها المجتمع بالإضافة إلى المؤسسات الطبية والصحية.

ماذا نفعل

للمرضى

توفير المعلومات التي تساعد على تفهم أبعاد المرض وبدائل العلاج المتاحة

• توفير أدوات ومناهج علمية للنصح الذاتي، لتمكين المرضى والناجين من السرطان بتوعية الآخرين بالأبعاد الصحية والنفسية للإصابة

• التواصل مع المرضى والناجين بهدف تبادل الخبرات حول التكيف مع الإصابة بالسرطان

• توفير الدعم الطبي والنفسي للتخفيف من الآثار النفسية التي قد تصاحب مرحلة التشخيص بالمرض

للأسرة، الأصدقاء والقائمين على الرعاية الصحية 

• توعية القائمين على رعاية المرضى بأفضل الطرق لرعايتهم ومساعدتهم

• توفير الدعم المتخصص لمساعدة أقارب المريض وذويه على التأقلم مع الإصابة

للمجتمع 

• نسعى لتنظيم حملات متنوعة لتوفير رعاية صحية أفضل وفرص عادلة لتلقي العلاج

• توفير فرص الدعم المادي للمرضى وكذلك المساعدة من خلال العمل التطوعي

• رفع الوعي بأساليب الوقاية من الإصابة والاكتشاف المبكر

“باربي من غير شعر ولازلت جميلة” – Posted on Cansurvive’s Facebook Page with a positive message

الطعام له تأثير على الصحة, ما هي أنواع المأكولات التي تخفف الاصابة بهذا المرَض؟ وما هي الأنواع التي ينصح أن تأكل منها المرأة المصابة بسرطان الثدي؟

للوقاية من السرطان يجب التخلص من الوزن الزائد وتجنب الاكثار من تناول الدهون وخاصة الدهون الحيوانية, و تجنب المأكولات الدهنية والسكريات والألوان الصناعية والكحوليات.

تناول الألياف والتي تتوفر في الحبوب والبذور والخضروات والفاكهة تساعد على الوقاية من السرطان.

تناول المأكولات التي تحتوي على عناصر مضادة للأكسدة تساعد على حماية الجسم وتنقيته من المواد الضارة قبل أن تتلف خلايا الجسم.

من الفواكه المفيدة:

 • التوت (بجميع أنواعه)  والفراولة والعنب لما فيهم من مواد مضاد للأكسدة قوية

• المانجو والبطيخ والبرتقال والجر يب فروت والكيوي لما فيهم من ألياف و فيتامين C

• الرمان يحتوي على إلاغيتانين التي تعيق نمو الخلايا السرطانية

• التفاح الأخضر لما فيه من ألياف وفيتامينات ومواد مضادة للأكسدة

من الخضروات المفيدة:

• تناول الخضروات الcruciferous مثل القرنبيط, والبروكولي والتي تحتوي على مواد قوية مضادة للسرطان (isothiocyanates)

• كثرة تناول الخضروات ذات اللون الأخضر كالجرجير والسبانخ لم تحتويه من مواد مضادة للأكسدة والألياف

تقليل تناول اللحوم الحمراء واستبدالها بالسمك الذي يحتوي على الحمض الهني الأوميجا 3 والذي يحصن الجسم ضد الالتهابات والأمراض السرطانية.

أظهرت دراسة حديثة أن الجوز يساعد على الحد من أخطار الاصابة بسرطان الثدي لاحتوائه غلى مكونات صحية ومواد مضادة للأكسدة وأحماض الأوميغا 3

شرب الشاي الأخضر لما فيه من مواد مضاضة للأكسدة وأيضا شرب حليب الصويا الذي يساعد على الكثافة المعدنية للعظام عند السيدات كما أنه غني بهرمون الاستروجن الذي تفقده المرأة في سن الأربعين.

علاج السرطان مرهق وله أعراض جانبية كثيرة. على المرأة التي تحت العلاج أكل البروتينات (البيض,السمك,منتجات الألبان) والأطعمة الغنية بالكالوريز (العسل) وذلك لتمديد الجسم بالطاقة ومساعدة الجسم على اعادة بناء الخلايا.

لتجب تلوث الطعام يجب طهي اللحوم والبيض جيدا, و تجنب أكل الأسماك الغير مطبوخة كالسوشي, وتجنب أكل الجبن المتعفن كالروكفور, وتجنب أكل أي شيء بعد تاريخ الصلاحية.

أكل 5 أو 6 وجبات صغيرة أفضل من 3 وجبات كبيرة. وممكن أن يكون دائما مع المريض وجبات “سناكس” كالبسكوت المملح, التوست, الزبادي, الشوربة المخفوقة.

ينصح للمريض أن تأكل عندما يمكنها وشرب السوائل. التغذية بعد الانتهاء من العلاج الكيماوي تختلف من حالة الى الأخرى على حسب التفاصيل المحددة للسرطان. مثلا النساء الذين يعانون من سرطان الهرمون الايجابي للثدي يفضل التقليل من تناول منتجات الألبان لما تحتويه من مادة الكاسين (casein).

كيف تؤثر اليوغا على المرأة المصابة بسرطان الثدي بشكل خاص؟ وهل هناك رياضات ينصح للمرأة أن تمارسها؟

Image Source: FYI Living

عند اخبار المريض بأنه مريض للسرطان فإن معدلات القلق تزداد بشكل حاد لدي المريض ولكن ممارسة اليوجا لفترات طويلة تساعد على زيادة القدرة على التكيف والتأقلم
واحدة من أهم فوائد اليوجا للسرطان هي مساعدة مريض السرطان على التنفس بشكل طبيعي مما يساعده على التحكم في القلق وأي مشاعر سلبية

فوائد اليوجا لمرضى السرطان:
(1) مكافحة الآثار الجانبية للعلاج:

قالت دراسة إن النساء اللائي تلقين دروساً في اليوجا أثناء علاجهن من سرطان الثدي وضح تحسن مجهودهن البدني، إضافة إلى شعورهن بتحسن صحتهن. واختيرت بشكل عشوائي 62 امرأة كان يتم علاجهن بالإشعاع من مرض سرطان الثدي من أجل حضور دروس في اليوجا مرتين في الأسبوع أو تم وضعهن في قائمة الانتظار لبدء دروس اليوجا بعد علاجهن. وأكملن جميعاً استطلاعات بشأن قياسات مختلفة لنوعية الحياة.
وجدت إن النساء اللائي تدربن على اليوجا تحدثن عن تحسن أدائهن البدني مثل القدرة على المشي مسافة ميل وصعود الدرج وغير ذلك. وإن هؤلاء النساء شعرن بتحسن صحتهن العامة وقلت شكواهن من الإجهاد ومشكلات النوم.

(2) الحد من الإجهاد:
أكدت دراسة نُشرت في عام 2009 أيضاً أن مرضى سرطان الثدي الذين يمارسون اليوجا قد يكونون أقل إجهاداً من غيرهم

(3) تحسين نمط الحياة:
في دراسة رائدة نُشرت عام 2006، وجد الباحثون أن ممارسة سبعة أسابيع من اليوجا قد تعمل على تحسين حياة مرضى السرطان كما أنها تعمل على التأثير على سلوك المريض إيجابياً من الناحية العاطفية والبدنية.

ممارسة الرياضة أيا كانت مهمة للوقاية من السرطان وأيضا أثناء العلاج فمثلا المشي 20 دقيقة يوميا يكفي.

نتمنى النشاط الدائم اللتي توحّدنا جميعاً لمكافحة هذا المرض اللذي نحاربه معاً ونأمل أن نجد له علاجاّ يقضي عليه قريباً

**

 Cansurvive Official Website

Cansurvive on Facebook

**

Interview conducted by Joanna-Maria Ghawi