How to Take Care of Your Health after Cancer Treatment

Posted on June 1, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

After you are diagnosed with cancer and go through the treatment process, the time afterward is just as important as the time before. When your treatment is finished, a healthcare provider may tell you that you should get checkups or tests in the future. This is called follow-up care. These tests can help find early signs of a new cancer or the same cancer.

After your initial recovery, there are ways to improve your long-term health to enjoy the years ahead. The recommendations for cancer survivors are no different from those for anyone who wants to improve their health, including:

Exercising- regular exercise increases your sense of well-being after cancer treatment and can make you recover faster. Cancer survivors who exercise may experience:
- Increased strength and endurance
- Fewer symptoms of depression
- Less anxiety
- Reduced fatigue
- Improved mood
- Higher self-esteem
- Less pain
- Improved sleep
- Lower risk of the cancer coming back
- A sense of well-being
Eating a balanced diet- it is important to vary your diet to include lots of fruits and vegetables and whole grains. The American Cancer Society recommends that cancer survivors:
- Eat at least 2.5 to 3 cups of vegetables and 1.5 to 2 cups of fruits every day
- Choose healthy fats, including omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in fish and walnuts
- Select proteins that are low in saturated fat, such as fish, lean meats, eggs, nuts, seeds, and legumes
- Opt for healthy sources of carbohydrates, such as whole grains, legumes, and fruits and vegetables
Maintaining a healthy weight- you may have gained or lost weight during treatment. Try to get your weight to a healthy level. Talk to your healthcare provider about what a healthy weight is for you and the best way to achieve that goal.
Getting good sleep- sleep problems are more common in people with cancer and cancer survivors. This can be due to physical changes, side effects of treatments, stress, or other reasons. Getting enough sleep is an important part of your recovery, as sleeping gives your mind and body time to recover and refresh to help you function at your best while awake. To optimize your chances of getting good sleep, practice healthy sleep habits, such as:
- Avoid caffeine for at least eight hours before bedtime
- Stick to a regular sleep schedule
- Avoid computer and television screens for one to two hours before bedtime
- Exercise no later than two to three hours before going to bed
- Keep your bedroom quiet, dim, and cool
Reducing stress- as a cancer survivor, you may find that the physical, emotional, and social effects of having cancer have taken a toll on you. Using effective coping strategies to deal with stress can greatly improve your quality of life. It can help relieve depression, anxiety, and symptoms related to cancer and its treatment. Effective stress management strategies may include:
- Relaxation or meditation techniques, such as mindfulness training
- Counseling
- Cancer support groups
- Medicines for depression or anxiety
- Exercise
- Interacting with friends and family
Avoiding tobacco usage- smoking or using chewing tobacco puts you at risk of several types of cancer. Quitting could reduce your risk of cancer coming back and lower the risk of developing a second type of cancer.
Limiting the amount of alcohol you drink- if you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. For healthy adults, up to one drink a day for women of all ages and men older than age 65, and up to two drinks a day for men age 65 and younger.

While it may take an entire overhaul of your lifestyle to achieve all these goals, following these simple steps can improve your quality of life, helping you transition into being a survivor.

To schedule an appointment with an oncologist at our MediSys Health Network Cancer Center, or to learn more about our cancer care program, please call (718) 206-6742.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Different Types of Cancer Treatment

Posted on May 28, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Current cancer treatments are helping people live longer, fuller lives. There are many types of cancer treatment. Some people with cancer may only receive one type of treatment. While most may have a combination of treatments, such as surgery with chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

A healthcare provider will recommend treatments based on your unique diagnosis, including your type of cancer, stage, and treatment goals.

The general goal of cancer treatment is to stop or slow the progression of the disease. In some cases, the goal of treatment is to eliminate the cancer.

There are more than 100 types of cancer, not including subtypes. Each type of cancer requires a unique treatment approach.

Healthcare providers may recommend one or a combination of cancer treatments, including:

Surgery- the goal is to remove all cancer cells and some of the surrounding healthy tissue
Radiation therapy uses high doses of radiation to destroy cancerous tumors. Types of radiation therapy include:
- External beam radiation therapy (EBRT)
- Internal radiation therapy
- Hyperthermia therapy
Chemotherapy- uses chemotherapy drugs to kill cancer cells
Hormone therapy blocks or reduces hormones that fuel cancer cell growth
Immunotherapy helps the immune system identify and destroy cancer cells
Targeted therapy- interferes with specific processes that allow some cancer cells to thrive
Ablation therapy- uses extreme hot or cold energy to kill cancer cells. Types of ablation therapy include:
- Cryoablation
- Laser therapy
- Electrosurgery
Bone marrow or hemopoietic stem cell transplant- replaces immature blood cells that are or could become cancerous with healthy cells. The two main types of stem cell transplants include:
- Autologous stem cell transplant
- Allogenic stem cell transplant
Clinical trials are studies that test the safety and effectiveness of new cancer treatments

Cancer treatment usually involves a main treatment and additional treatments. These treatments include:

Primary treatment is the main cancer treatment. The most common primary cancer treatment for tumors that haven’t spread is surgery
Adjuvant therapy is an additional therapy given after your primary treatment to help prevent or reduce the risk of cancer coming back
Neoadjuvant therapy is a treatment received before primary treatment

Cancer treatment may involve surgery or other procedures that target cancer cells, including:

Open surgery
Laparoscopic surgery
Precision technologies

Cancer therapy also involves medicines that you may take, which can include:

Orally
Topically
Intravenously (IV)
Injection

A healthcare provider may use words like “local” or “systemic” to describe the cancer treatments you may need.

Local treatments remove tumors or destroy cancer cells in a specific part of our body, or “locally”.

Systemic treatments destroy cancer cells that have broken off from the primary tumor and spread. This includes advanced cancers that have spread or metastasized to distant parts of the body.

Cancer treatment may be a one-time surgery or may require many treatments. Ask your healthcare provider what your course of treatment will involve.

To schedule an appointment with an oncologist at our MediSys Health Network Cancer Center, or to learn more about our cancer care program, please call (718) 206-6742.

Podiatry: What Your Feet Can Tell You about Your Health

Posted on February 5, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Our bodies present many signs and symptoms to show us that we are sick, such as a runny nose, fever, and body aches. However, your feet can tell us a lot about our health, including:

Dry, flaking, itchy, or peeling skin may be signs of a thyroid condition or a fungal infection.
Foot numbness may be a sign of circulation problems such as peripheral artery disease (PAD), peripheral neuropathy associated with type 2 diabetes, other neurological problems, arthritis, or long-standing alcoholism.
A foot sore that won’t heal may be a sign of diabetes or peripheral vascular disease. In addition to causing nerve damage, high blood sugar might also damage the blood vessels that supply nerves, causing circulation problems that prevent healing.
Swollen ankles and feet may be signs of heart failure, kidney disease, liver disease, or a blood clot. Painless swelling in the feet is gravity in action. If your heart, liver, or kidneys aren’t working properly, you will have excess fluid in the body that leaks into your tissues and drains down to the feet.
A suddenly, intensely painful, and swollen big toe may be a sign of gout, inflammation caused by a buildup of uric acid that forms crystals in the joints.
Pain in the foot when walking or exercising that goes away when resting may be a sign of a stress fracture or osteoporosis.
Sore toe joints in both feet may be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis.
Frequent foot cramping may be a sign of dehydration and nutritional deficiencies.
Heel pain may be a sign of plantar fasciitis, the strain of the ligament that supports the arch in your foot.
Yellow toenails may be a sign of a fungal infection, such as athlete’s foot.
Balding or hairless feet and toes may be a sign of circulation problems, such as peripheral artery disease.
Foot or heel pain upon standing or rising in the morning may be a sign of arthritis or plantar fasciitis.
Frequently cold feet may be a sign of hypothyroidism, peripheral artery disease, or Raynaud’s disease, a condition where blood vessels spasm and constrict when experiencing cold temperatures.

Some ways you can care for your feet include:

Wash and examine your feet daily
Keep the skin on your feet moisturized
Treat any callouses and corns
Trim toenails weekly or as needed
Wear protective clothing on your feet
Maintain blood flow to the feet

If you are experiencing any of these foot ailments, contact Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Queens Podiatry Center at (718) 206-6713-6712 to make an appointment.

Oral Health

Posted on September 10, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

Your oral health is more important than you might realize. The health of your mouth, teeth, and gums can affect your overall health.

Like other areas of the body, the mouth is full of germs. Those germs are mostly harmless, but the mouth is the entryway to the digestive tract. It is also the entryway to the respiratory tract. Because of this, germs in the mouth can lead to disease throughout the body.

Oral germs and inflammation are linked to a severe form of gum disease called periodontitis. Studies suggest that germs and inflammation that form in the mouth might play a role in some diseases, including:

Endocarditis
Cardiovascular disease
Pregnancy and birth complications
Pneumonia

Most of the body’s defenses and good oral care help keep germs under control. Good oral care includes daily brushing and flossing. Without good oral hygiene, germs can reach levels that may lead to infections like tooth decay and gum disease.

While practicing good oral hygiene can lower the risk of health problems, other factors can affect oral health. Certain medicines such as decongestants, antihistamines, painkillers, water pills, and antidepressants can lower the flow of saliva. Saliva washes away food and keeps the acids germs make in the mouth in balance helping to keep them from spreading and causing disease.

Some health conditions can also affect oral health, they include:

Diabetes
HIV/AIDS
Cancer
Alzheimer’s disease

You can protect your oral health and take care of your mouth every day by:

Brushing your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time. Use a brush with soft bristles and fluoride toothpaste. Brush your tongue too.
Flossing between your teeth daily.
Eating a healthy diet and limiting sugary foods and drinks.
Replacing your toothbrush every three to four months. Sooner if the bristles are worn out.
Seeing a dentist at least once a year for checkups and cleanings.

Taking care of your oral health protects your overall health.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with a dentist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, you may call 718-206-6980

10 Signs And Symptoms of Cancer You Should Not Ignore

Posted on August 20, 2024 by Xavia Malcolm

The American Cancer Society has recently reported that a little over 2 million new cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed in the US in 2024. Within that group, approximately 611,720 individuals may lose their battles to the disease.

Early detection of certain cancers and early intervention can increase survival rates, or help many people live longer after a cancer diagnosis.

Screenings are essential in detecting some cancers early and helping to prevent cancer-related deaths. Paying attention to signs and symptoms of the disease and notifying your doctor can also help with early detection.

Here are 10 signs and symptoms of cancer you should not ignore:

Chronic coughs or hoarseness
Shortness of breath
Unexplained weight loss
Extreme fatigue that does not get better with rest
Skin changes, such as changes in moles
Changes in bowel or bladder movements
Unusual bleeding or bruising
Breast lumps
Difficulty swallowing
Frequent fevers

See your doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, especially if they are persistent. Your physician can conduct tests to determine a diagnosis. There is no single test to diagnose cancer; therefore, testing may include a combination of diagnostic imaging, biopsies, blood tests, urinalysis, genetic testing, or endoscopic examination.

To schedule an appointment with an oncologist at our MediSys Health Network Cancer Center, or to learn more about our cancer care program, please call (718) 206-6742.