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Cancer is a life-altering disease that affects not only the person diagnosed but also their loved ones. Family and friends play a crucial role in providing support and care for a loved one with cancer. Let’s explore some ways you can support a family member or friend after they have been diagnosed with cancer, drawing on tips from oncologists and nurses.   The first and most important thing you can do is to be there for your loved one. This means simply being present and available to listen, talk, and provide emotional support. Showing up and being there, whether it be in person or through phone calls, text messages, or video chats, can make a huge difference. According to an oncologist, the emotional support of loved ones is crucial for the patient's mental well-being and can greatly improve the outcome of treatment.   Another way to support a loved one with cancer is to help them navigate the healthcare system. Cancer treatment can be complex and confusing, and it is common for patients and their families to feel overwhelmed. Offer to help your loved one schedule appointments, fill out paperwork, and understand the treatment options available to them. A nurse recommends keeping a journal or calendar to keep track of appointments, medications, and other important information to make the process less overwhelming.   Another way to support a loved one with cancer is to help them maintain their daily routine. Cancer treatment can be physically and emotionally draining, and it is important for patients to maintain a sense of normalcy. Offer to help with household chores, run errands, or even just spend time with them doing something they enjoy. According to an oncologist, maintaining a sense of normalcy can greatly improve the patient's quality of life during treatment.   It is also important to be mindful of the emotional and psychological toll that cancer can take on a person. Cancer patients may experience a wide range of emotions, including fear, anxiety, and depression. Be there to listen and provide support, but also know when to seek out professional help if necessary. Encouraging your loved one to talk to a therapist or counsellor, especially if they are experiencing severe emotional distress can also be helpful.   Educate yourself about the disease and treatment options. This will not only help you understand what your loved one is going through but also make you more equipped to provide them with accurate information, resources, and support. I found these two websites very informative; Cancer Council  and Cancer Australia.   Cancer can be financially draining, so it's a good idea to offer help in that regard if you can. From offering to pay for treatment, to helping with bills and groceries, or even finding alternative healthcare support or rebates.   It is a heavy load to carry so remember that you also need to take care of yourself. Supporting a loved one with cancer can be emotionally and physically taxing, Self care and setting boundaries to avoid burnout is essential.   So, although your role in supporting your loved one with cancer is a challenging one, it is a rewarding one too.   View Aurora Direct’s Supportive care range, the products provide nutritional support, gut health, wound care and hair care which can improve the recently diagnosed, quality of life. Visit www.auroradirect.com.au

We know that diet and digestion may not be at the forefront of your mind when you are navigating through the journey of cancer treatment. However, many patients and survivors experience digestive concerns during and after treatment of many different types of cancer. Here we will offer nutrition and food advice and tips to manage digestive side effects relating to cancer or cancer treatment. These side effects will range from person to person but often include diarrhoea, bloating and constipation, ranging in degree from mild to severe. During cancer treatments, radiation and/or chemotherapy are often used to decrease the size of a tumour and to reduce the spread of cancerous cells in the body. Unfortunately, these treatments can negatively impact on the body’s healthy cells. This includes cells that are in the gastrointestinal tract, mouth, and stomach. Harming these health cells in the digestive areas of the body can cause symptoms of dehydration, diarrhoea, and reduced absorption of nutrients. When this occurs, it can be beneficial to consume amino acids to support your body in absorbing essential electrolytes and nutrients to protect your digestive health. Amino acids are organic compounds that combine to make proteins. These amino acids and proteins are building blocks of life as they help build and support the function of healthy cells in your body. Consuming amino acids during this time can support your gastrointestinal tract’s ability to absorb essential nutrients. enterade® Advanced Oncology Formula is the only amino acid based, glucose free medical food specially created for the dietary management of side effects of cancer treatment. This unique formula provides amino acids and electrolytes to restore and shield the gastrointestinal tract to keep your body hydrated during cancer treatment. Many people experience constipation due to dehydration during cancer treatment. To combat constipation during this time, it is important to stick to 3 simple rules. Firstly, try to include 30 minutes of physical activity into each day. Second, drink 8 cups of water or fluids throughout the day. And lastly, increase your fibre intake to approximately 25-35 grams. However, it is not uncommon during this time to experience poor appetite and fatigue during your treatment. If it is difficult for you to eat and move your body during this time, try: Taking a short 10-minute walk before eating Sipping hot beverages like a decaffeinated tea around the time you would normally have a bowel movement Increasing your consumption of fluids by eating frozen fruits, sucking on ice chips or by having soup with your meals   We understand that it may be uncomfortable to discuss your bowel movements and habits with your team of healthcare professionals. Although, it is common to experience diarrhoea during cancer treatment. Diarrhoea can deplete the body of important nutrients and fluids needed to maintain a healthy gut. The number one way to reduce diarrhoea during this time is by avoiding digestive stimulants like caffeine, peppermint, and ginger. Also, it can be helpful to increase your intake of low fibre foods like leafy greens, grains, and cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage). It may also be beneficial to consume beverages between meals rather than with your meal. There are many ways to give yourself the best fighting change of good gut health during and after cancer treatment. If you have not yet started on your cancer treatment journey, it can be valuable to start optimising your gut health now before cancer treatment begins. This can be accomplished through diet and exercise. Regular exercise can reduce inflammation and stress in the body whilst also keeping you fit and strong. While a balanced diet of whole foods, rich fibre and probiotics can promote good gut function. If you would like more information on your gut health during and after cancer treatment, seek support from qualified dieticians and your healthcare team. Link to enterade          

Chemotherapy is the most common cancer treatment utilised in Australia that uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cancer cells in your body. Although chemotherapy is an effective method to treat many different types of cancer, it does carry its own risks and side effects. One of these risks that can occur with cancer or cancer treatment is chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). For those who experience CIPN due to chemotherapy drugs, 7 out of 10 people will experience some symptoms one month after treatment while 3 out of 10 people will have ongoing symptoms six months after their treatment commences.*    CIPN can negatively impact or cause damage to the body’s peripheral nerves. These peripheral nerves are located away from the centre of the body, and they are important in carrying sensations or neurological messages to and from the spine and the brain. These messages allow you to control movements and have feeling in different parts of the body such as the feet, hands, arms, and legs. Often when this occurs, a person may experience weakness, numbness, tingling sensations like pins and needles, discomfort and burning. However, peripheral neuropathy can affect people in different ways and symptoms can range from mild to severe. Additionally, these symptoms may start during therapy or after therapy and they may be temporary or permanent. Symptoms often differ depending on the type of chemotherapy drug used.   Research has found that not managing CIPN can greatly impact a person’s quality of life. So, what can you be doing to help prevent and reduce your risk of the cell damage that causes peripheral neuropathy?   Studies suggest that cooling and compression can have a preventative effect on CIPN. A recent study by Michael and his colleagues (2022) (# insert study reference) found that cooling through  frozen gloves was highly effective in preventing grade 2 or more CIPN for patients undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. This study showed that ice gloves and socks during chemotherapy almost halved the risk of grade 2 or higher CIPN. These clinical studies are playing an important role in the health and wellbeing of cancer survivors and helping patients manage this common side effect of Chemotherapy.   Aurora Direct now offers Ice Cold Socks and Gloves for a convenient way to apply icy cool temperatures to your fingers, hands, wrists, ankles, feet, heels, and nail beds for those affected by neuropathy, arthritis, inflammation, localised injury, swelling or soreness. This means that you can conveniently apply cold or if needed heat to peripheral areas of the body that are experiencing these uncomfortable sensations.  These products also provide you with a convenient, reusable, flexible gel ice packs that can be fastened to your wrists or worn on the feet before, during or after chemotherapy treatment.   Whether you are just starting or are well into your treatment journey, do not wait until the side effects of chemo become an issue, interrupt your treatment, or become a long-term problem needing ongoing management. These Ice Cold treatment options are an excellent solution to apply icy cold in order to help patients try to address neuropathy symptoms. These Ice Cold Gloves and Socks with bag can be easily taken with you to chemotherapy appointments.  Click here to shop the Ice Cold Gloves and Socks today.   Link: https://auroradirect.com.au/collections/ice-cold

Amino acids are the building blocks of life. They come together to create the proteins that make up your organs, muscles, skin, etc. When you eat foods that contain proteins your body will digest and break them down into amino acids which will then be sent to carry out different functions throughout your body. Amino acids have many functions including: Building muscles Connective tissue repair Transporting of nutrients Boosting immunity Involvement in certain chemical reactions Source of energy In some cases, people can become deficient in amino acids, which can decrease immunity, cause depression, slow growth, and cause digestive issues. How do amino acids affect your gut? Gastrointestinal health is very important when it comes to feeling good and keeping your body strong. Many people don’t realize that 60-70% of your immune system is centralized in your GI tract. If your GI tract is unable to work efficiently then that can cause many health problems like a malnutrition, bloating, nausea, diarrhea, food allergies, constipation, gallbladder disease, and other digestive issues. This is where amino acids come in. Your body needs amino acids to fortify your digestive system. Amino acids help to detoxify unhealthy bacteria and tissue in the gut, strengthen the immune system, and repair damaged cells that line the gastrointestinal tract.   How does cancer treatment affect the GI? Cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation are excellent at killing cancer cells but they unfortunately also damage the healthy cells that make up your gut. When this happens, the good cells in your gut called villi become blunted, which affects their ability to absorb nutrients. This can result in unwanted weight loss and dehydration. Treatment can also weaken the barrier between the cells that prevent harmful toxins from entering your bloodstream. When these barriers are damaged, gaps open allowing toxins and bacteria to enter your system leaving you with side effects like diarrhea, nausea, and fatigue.   What should I include in my diet to help restore normal GI function? One reason why patients go often choose to discontinue treatment is due the severity of the side effects. The treatment should not be worse than the disease, especially when that treatment has the potential to beat cancer. Below is a list of important amino acid filled foods that may help manage the side effects of cancer treatment: 1) Vegetables- choose leafy, green vegetables like spinach, kale, and arugula. 2) Quinoa- is the most nutritious grain available as it contains the nine essential amino acids that your body needs. 3) Fish- most fish contain essential amino acids. Salmon is high in amino acids and omega 3s. Salmon also has important fatty acids that support heart health among other health benefits. 4) Beans and Legumes- these are great sources of protein and amino acids, especially the amino acid lysine, an important amino acid in the formation of collagen—a vital protein for bones and connective tissues including skin, cartilage, and tendons. The human body cannot make lysine on its own, so it must be eaten in the diet. Other sources of lysine include meat, fish, dairy, and eggs. Want to get the right amino acids at the right time? There are specific amino acids that can directly help the GI side effects of cancer treatment Enterade is formulated with 5 specific amino acids to help rebuild the damaged cells in your gut, protect your GI from toxins by tightening the gut barrier while giving total body hydration. All these benefits will help to enhance a healthy immune function so that you can feel better and fight harder against cancer. Enterade contains no sugar and is plant-based medical food. – 91% of patients saw improvement in nausea – 74% of patients saw improvement in diarrhoea – 88% of patients saw improvement in dehydration – 77% of patients saw improvement in weight loss Enterade can help you stay on course with your treatment because when you feel better you can fight harder.  by Katie O'Grady   Sources: Amino Acids & Probiotics = Good Digestion – Healthy Beginnings (hbmag.com) 5 Foods High in Amino Acids (webmd.com) Amino acids: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia Essential amino acids: Definition, benefits, and foods (medicalnewstoday.com)

Unfortunately, Chemotherapy appointments can be long and unforgiving.

Being a woman, we are at constant risk of breast cancer and other breast abnormalities. Breast tissue is a fast-growing, hormone-dependent tissue that is susceptible to trauma, radiation, and other environmental risks. There are many indications for breast procedures. Given the social importance, one may get breast remoulding for aesthetics, biopsy for screening, lumpectomy in case of any benign lumps and bumps, or radical mastectomy if one is at higher risk of breast cancer or diagnosed with breast cancer. There are many diagnostic and curative surgical procedures for breast examination and treatment performed every day. Every year, 13 MILLION breast procedures are performed worldwide, and yet, there is little to no information for the standard of care for post-op patients.   Nowadays patients are being treated with assorted recovery products to meet their recovery needs with no access to equipment and products which can make the healing process faster and better. They don’t have the proper understanding of what to do after the surgery and what to avoid for better wound healing. No matter the procedure, the breast tissue needs proper care and attention after the surgery. To know more about post-op care and healing, here are some tips for wound care after breast procedures. Change the dressing regularly: Dressing needs to be changed regularly until the wound is completely healed. It can take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks. The dressing needs to be clean and sterile for the wound to heal better. In the initial recovery phase, dressing needs to be changed by professionals in the hospital which means more hospital visits unless you have self-applying support. Keeping wound clean: Keeping the wound clean is an integral step in wound management and care. It should be your first and foremost priority. It is necessary to change the dressing in case of any fluids and to have an appropriate, absorbable dressing. Wash it with soap and water to prevent any infections and wash off blood and pus. Follow the doctor’s further recommendation. Appropriate wound site environment: A humid wound site environment promotes better healing and a dry environment can cause itching and irritation along with pain and discomfort. Having a dressing that can provide a humid environment without causing dryness can speed up recovery. Use non-adherent dressing: Use of non-adherent dressing is another way of proper wound healing. Adhesive dressing can cause an allergic reaction or a medical adhesive-related skin injury. Using non-adherent dressing can help in avoiding this problem. Avoid makeup: Avoid any makeup and chemicals around the operative site until the wounds are completely healed.   EZbra  provides the best solution for optimal wound care. EZbra Post-op support is the ultimate answer to faster recovery. It has an absorbent inner layer, which can absorb wound discharge ten times its weight and helps in keeping the wound clean. It is sterile and disposable with environmentally friendly material, making it safer against infections and minimising the need to wash.   Not only that, EZbra is specifically designed to provide a semi-occlusive structure that can maintain a humid environment. Humid and sterile infection can stimulate wound healing and tissue growth.   Wounds can become infected and irritated by the use of an adhesive dressing. EZbra is low adherent which can limit the adhesive contact. It is specifically designed to reduce dermatological and tissue damage during dressing changes. It can also minimise the pain along with preventing any further damage.   At EZbra, we understand the complications and post-op needs. Our mission is to make recovery easier for all women fighting against breast cancer and to spread awareness about how you can take better care of yourself to return back to your new normal.  Pre-order your EZbra today !

Chemotherapy, radiation treatment, and immunotherapy act aggressively on rapidly dividing cancer cells, but also affect healthy, non-cancerous cells that are rapidly dividing, including those that line the GI tract. This damage results in symptoms such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, and weight loss. These are some of the most common physical side effects patients experience and have the greatest impact on quality of life. Symptoms can become significant enough that patients often choose reductions in or discontinuation of treatment. As mentioned above, treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation target rapidly dividing cells–that’s why they work so well to combat cancer cells. The cells that line our gastrointestinal tracts (this includes both our stomach & intestines, along with other vital organs) are also rapidly dividing. Treatments can’t necessarily distinguish between “bad” cells and “good” cells, so our GI tract unfortunately takes on a lot of damage. Our small intestine houses tiny, fingerlike projections called villi. Villi are cells responsible for nutrient and electrolyte absorption. Healthy villi have a large surface area, allowing ample space for the nutrients in the foods we’re consuming to be absorbed into the body. Cancer treatments damage these cells, causing them to shrink. This decreases the amount of surface area that can absorb nutrients, resulting in weight loss, fatigue, malnutrition, etc. Along with breaking down food and absorbing nutrients, the digestive tract also works to protect our bodies from harmful toxins. The walls of our digestive tract form what is called the “gut barrier.” The gut barrier controls what enters the bloodstream to be later transported to our organs. When the tight junctions (small gaps in the intestinal wall) are working properly, essential nutrients are able to pass through and “harmful” substances are blocked. Cancer treatments can damage the cells that form this barrier, essentially causing these gaps to widen. Toxins and bacteria can then escape from the gut through those gaps and enter the bloodstream. This can lead to negative health outcomes in the rest of the body including diarrhea, nausea, dehydration, fatigue, and even possible infection. How can enterade® help? Enterade® Advanced Oncology Formula is a sugar-free medical food blended with plant-based amino acids, electrolytes, and lightly sweetened with stevia leaf extract. Enterade® was developed by oncologists and gastroenterologists and is clinically proven to reduce the side effects of treatment including nausea, diarrhea, dehydration, fatigue, and unwanted weight loss. We often hear “why can’t I just drink sports drinks?” or “this sounds like a pricey nutritional shake…” Enterade® Advanced Oncology Formula, unlike sports drinks that address only dehydration and shakes that address caloric intake (and are often packed to the brim with sugar), serves a true purpose in helping to repair your gut from the damage caused by cancer treatments. Backed by four published, peer-reviewed clinical studies, enterade® has earned its stripes as “more than a sports drink.” Enterade® is formulated with a proprietary blend of five plant-based amino acids: L-Aspartic Acid, L-Valine, L-Serine, L-Threonine, and L-Tyrosine. This patented formula has been developed to specifically address the damage caused to the GI tract from cancer therapies. There are very few products, if any, that are made to address these problems. The proprietary blend of plant-based amino acids in enterade® is the secret sauce, so to speak. We talked about how cancer therapies shrink or “blunt” the villi that are responsible for nutrient and electrolyte absorption. Enterade® nourishes the villi and improves villus height. In other words, enterade helps to rebuild the villi, which increases its overall surface area and allows more space for nutrients to be absorbed. Increased nutrient absorption is key to maintaining a healthy weight–a critical component in your fight against cancer.  enterade® helps to close the gaps in the gut barrier that form due to damage from cancer treatments. Keeping the gut barrier fortified helps protect your already compromised system from increased exposure to toxins so you can feel better and fight harder. Lastly, enterade® is not a sports drink but enterade® is formulated with HydroActive Techology® to hydrate better than leading sports drinks, oral rehydration solutions, and even water.

Selfless request sees Aurora BioScience donate Ice Cold Gloves and Socks as new Supportive Care management for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Aurora BioScience, a leading and respected medical device company, recently received a generous request from a patient, wanting to purchase Ice Cold gloves and socks to donate and help alleviate the side effects and potential nerve damage for patients undergoing chemotherapy.   Alana Hugo, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, knows first-hand what undergoing chemotherapy treatment entails and the debilitating side effects that can come along with it. A study published in The Journal of Clinical Oncology[1] revealed that onycholysis (separation of a fingernail or toenail from the nail bed) and skin toxicity occurs in approximately 30% of cancer patients treated with the chemotherapy drug Docetaxel.  The study concluded that frozen gloves significantly reduce the nail and skin toxicity, as well as potential nerve damage associated with chemotherapy treatment, therefore providing a new tool in supportive care management to improve a patient’s quality of life.   “The nausea, fatigue and hair loss associated with chemotherapy treatment is a lot to endure, but you do what you have to. The thought however of potential nerve damage especially in my hands, prompted me to take the advice of my doctor and purchase Ice Cold gloves and socks from Aurora BioScience, to wear during my infusions.” said Alana.   She continued, “I’m a maker – I use my hands bake, sew, knit, stitch and arrange flowers, but most importantly, I have the 10 chubby little toes and two squishable little thighs of my son to squeeze. How will I play ‘ring-ring’ with his leg and answer his ‘foot-phone’ if I can’t use my hands? Cancer and chemo can and will take so much from you, but not being able to play with my baby’s golden curls, even short term, is a thought I simply refuse to entertain.”   After weeks of purchasing ancillary items for her treatment such as scarves, eye pencils, sunscreens, mastectomy bras and more, Alana found herself having to prioritise these items on top of out-of-pocket treatment costs, which seemed near impossible.   “It then got me thinking about others. I decided to approach Aurora BioScience and purchase Ice Cold gloves and socks to donate so other patients going through chemotherapy could benefit from them aswell. It’s an absolute luxury to be able to try and mitigate the risk of losing a little more to this stupid disease. My hope was that by sharing these life changing gloves and socks, even if for just one other man or woman on this ‘freight train’ of a journey, it would help take the stress out of having to make a cruel choice.”    “Aurora BioScience is dedicated to sourcing and supplying innovative medical products with a goal of improving patient treatments and outcomes. By ensuring access to best medical technology, we hope to enhance the way medical professionals within Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands improve the lives of their patients.” – stated Darren Banks, Managing Director Aurora BioScience   By reaching out, Alana kickstarted a movement at not-for-profit, comprehensive cancer hospital Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in Camperdown, Sydney. With the donation of a freezer from the Sydney Breast Cancer Foundation and The Good Guys, patients are now able to use the Ice Cold gloves and socks at the centre.   “We were so moved by Alana’s determination to help others undergoing chemotherapy treatment by selflessly purchasing Ice Cold gloves and socks to donate to those in need, that we decided to donate additional units in support of her cause. She’s an incredible inspiration.” said Nicky Woolfson, Marketing Manager Aurora BioScience.   There are many ways to pay it forward, from raising funds to help hospitals purchase the Dignitana Delta Scalp Cooling device to donating a Cancer care gift. How can you help? For more information on our products and services, visit www.aurorabioscience.com.au.       For More Information Contact Mandy Crispin, Operations Director, Aurora BioScience +61 (0)2 9629 9546 mandycrispin@aurorabioscience.com.au Nicky Woolfson, Marketing Manager, Aurora BioScience +61 (0)413 635 503 nicky@aurorabioscience.com.au   About Aurora BioScience Aurora BioScience is a leading and respected medical device distribution and marketing company that provides high tech medical devices specialising in Oncology, Blood Technologies, and Medical Innovations. For over 15 years Aurora has supported healthcare providers and patients across metropolitan and regional areas of Australia, throughout New Zealand and around the Pacific Islands. The head office is located in Sydney Australia, and the growing product range includes some of the world’s most innovative medical products and solutions. Our specialty medical devices are specifically chosen for their ability to assist clinicians in improving patient outcomes and to enhance a patient’s quality of Iife. For more information, please visit www.aurorabioscience.com.au   [1] Reference: Journal of Clinical Oncology 23:4424-4429. © 2005 by American Society of Clinical Oncology Breast Cancer.org.