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What you eat while going through cancer treatment is often a bit different from a typical diet. Partly this is because of the different side effects patients experience before, during, and after cancer treatments. Food many not sound enticing, or the nausea brought on by treatment could make it especially hard to eat regularly. Additionally some patients undergoing cancer treatments report less saliva in their mouths, also called dry-mouth, that can make it unpleasant to eat. However, it's still really important that patients take in the right amount of calories so they can keep up their strength and avoid dropping to an unhealthy weight.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, making it a great time to learn a little more about breast cancer screenings for yourself or a loved one. The information below will help you better understand why mammograms are important, other potential screening methods, when you should be screened and what can be done if someone needs a mammogram but cannot afford one. This knowledge can help you be better informed so you can share it with others this October, as well as the rest of the year.

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer among men according to the Center for Disease Control. Here are five things you should be aware of so that you or your loved one can be aware of any additional risk factors they may have.

1. Prostate Cancer Can Be Inherited

If your father or brother(s) have had prostate cancer, research shows that you are at a higher risk for developing it too. The more immediate family members with prostate cancer the higher your own risk becomes.

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, so it's a good time to learn more about early detection to help save lives. Certain risk factors, including being overweight and a history of ovarian cancer in the family, may increase your chances of being diagnosed. Ovarian cancer research clinical trials are underway, but it's still good for patients to be educated about detecting ovarian cancer early.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet provides your body with vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to get you through your day. But did you know that eating a healthy diet can also reduce your risk of certain types of cancers? Discover some cancer-fighting foods that may be no further away than your pantry or refrigerator.

Oral, head and neck cancer is cancer that begins in the internal tissue of somewhere in your mouth, neck or head -- excluding cancers of the eye, skin, and brain. The major areas that are usually affected by this type of cancer include:

• sinuses
• nasal cavity
• salivary glands
• pharynx (the part of the upper part of the throat that's right behind the mouth)
• larynx (the lower part of the throat that holds the voice box)
• gums
• cheek lining
• lips
• floor of mouth
• hard palate
• gum behind the wisdom teeth

Are you interested in learning about prostate cancer screening? It's important to remember that many perfectly healthy people are screened for prostate cancer as part of their regular health care. Doctors sometimes recommend testing simply because of your age or family history. Other times, patients have some symptoms, and their doctor may suggest a prostate cancer screening as the first step to understanding the problem.

Virginia earned her masters degree in social work from Portland State University and has been a licensed clinical social worker for more than 20 years focusing on counseling and medical social work. Her goal is to ease her patients and their families’ journey through challenging times by providing them with both emotional and practical support. Virginia sees patients at the Compass Vancouver location. To schedule an appointment please call, 360.773.8630. 

Michelle has been in the medical social work field for over 4 years, with experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She earned her masters degree in social work with a clinical concentration in mental health from Boston College. Her goal is to provide support to patients, families, and caregivers as they navigate cancer by offering practical resources, referrals, and counseling. 

“I am so moved by the grace and strength, as well as the vulnerability, that people have in dealing with this foreign world of cancer treatment. It’s an honor to be able to support them through this time.”

Jamie Newell is an oncology social worker and helps lead program development of Compass palliative care services. The program’s goal is to help patients and their loved ones live well with cancer through additional symptom management and support.