Booklet Offers Critical Information for Bone Care During Mesothelioma Treatments
When cancer metastasizes to the bones or when side effects from treatments cause thinning of bones and osteoporosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer patients’ may experience excruciating pain as well as bone breaks or fractures. Patients undergoing treatment for pleural mesothelioma can experience bone loss, for example, when prescribed prednisone to help with shortness of breath or loss of appetite. To help patients manage their bone pain and maintain bone health, CancerCare has just released a new brochure entitled “Caring for Your Bones When You Have Cancer.”
CancerCare, a national nonprofit organization that provides free professional support services to anyone affected by cancer, created this booklet to offer information on “how bone pain and complications are diagnosed and treated, medications that doctors can use to help improve bone health, and practical tips you can use to take care of your bones.” Mesothelioma is already a very painful cancer, and any information offering support on how to limit bone pain is critical for supporting the patient’s quality of life.
Mesothelioma, an unusual form of cancer caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers, is best treated through personalized care targeted to a patient’s unique mesothelioma characteristics. With an early diagnosis and appropriate care, patients may get some relief from their symptoms. While the treatment options are vital for fighting the disease, they can come with pain and side effects.
CancerCare encourages patients to openly discuss any pain they may be experiencing with their doctor. The doctor may run various tests such as X-rays, bone scans, bone density tests or blood tests to diagnose the issue. Based on the findings, the doctor can adjust cancer treatments, increase pain medications, encourage changes to the diet or supplement the treatment with additional medications to help with the bone loss and pain.
The booklet suggests the following tips for tracking your bone health to discuss with your doctor:
- Keep notes identifying how the pain is affecting you and your quality of life.
- Consider pain as one of your vital signs and carefully monitor any changes.
- Rate your pain on a scale of 0 (no pain) to 10 (severe pain).
- Identify anything that makes the pain worse – sitting, standing, etc.
- Identify anything that relieves the pain – ice, heat, walking, or pain medication.
CancerCare was established in 1944 and provides help and support to over 100,000 people each year. Programs include individual counseling, support groups, education, financial assistance and practical help provided free of charge by professional oncology social workers.
