November 6, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 21 Maintain a positive outlook when cancer recurs A cancer diagnosis is never welcome news, especially when it comes unexpectedly. Cancer patients may undergo treatment for weeks or months, all the while hoping that treatment will ultimately prove effective. However, cancer can return even when it is successfully treated, and the prospect of that return understandably induces concern. The risk of recurrence is different for each person and typically depends on a host of factors. The type of cancer, how much time has passed since treatment, the type of treatment received, and how well a person has been taking care of him or herself since treatment ended can all influ- ence a person’s risk of recurrence. Eating right, exercising, and seeing the oncologist for follow-up visits are keys to good health . But the American Cancer Society notes that nothing can be done to guarantee cancer will not recur. Cancer recurrence is defined as the return of cancer after treatment. The same type of cancer may return in the same area of the body, such as breast cancer returning in the same breast. In some instances, the cancer may return elsewhere in the body. But it is still referred to as a breast cancer recurrence, even if the next incidence is elsewhere. The length of time between the first bout of cancer and the Personal beauty healing in the skin, as a moisturizer, as protection from the weather, and even as a lip balm. Diet: While you won’t turn into a giant cupcake if you have a penchant for sweets, the notion of “you are what you eat” does have its merits. An individual’s appearance is not only influenced by genetics but also by the foods and beverages an individual consumes. Eating the right foods can have a positive effect on health and appearance. The vitamins and minerals contained in certain foods can improve the appearance of the skin, hair, and nails. In addition, it is well documented that drinking ample amounts of water can also play a big role in keeping the body looking its best. Lifestyle: Smoking affects internal organs, increases cancer risk, and affects appearance. Smoking can discolor the skin and the hands. Smokers who routinely purse their lips to take a drag on a cigarette may notice a faster accu- mulation of fine lines around the mouth. The blood ves- sels in the eyes can be compromised by a lack of oxygen due to smoking, and the chemicals in the smoke can lead to inflammation and irritation of the eyes. Smoking also seems to age the skin more quickly, further enhancing the appearance of wrinkles. (continued from page 19) appearance. Many people suffer with hair issues that can be remedied with different techniques. Dry unmanage- able hair may be the result of inadequate scalp stimu- lation. In such instance, the oils of the scalp need to be spread to the hair shaft to improve hair’s appearance and health. Women often do not spend enough time brushing or massaging the scalp to induce oil distribution. While 100 strokes with a brush may not be necessary, a thorough brushing each day can help. Skin care: Women often turn to cosmetic products as fast fixes to beauty woes. While many manufactur- ers present their products as the miracle fix women were looking for, most beauty items do not offer the fresh-from- the-plastic-surgeon’s-office effect. In reality, expensive products may not work any better than inexpensive ones. For decades, people have relied on petroleum jelly as a versatile skincare product. It has been used to accelerate next can vary. When cancer gets worse, this is called a pro- gression. Sometimes it can be difficult to discern whether a recurrence is truly a recurrence or a progression. When only a short amount of time has passed since the initial diagnosis, then chances are the cancer is a progression. After cancer goes into remission, a doctor usually sets up a schedule of follow-up appointments to check for cancer recurrence. Many advancements have been made regarding the treatment of cancer, and a local recurrence, or one in the same spot as before, may be easy to treat. Learning of a recurrence can be devastating, especially after working so hard and suffering through so much to push cancer into remission. Focusing on the future and not growing discouraged about beginning the battle anew are keys to fighting cancer again. Those who have fought the battle successfully before know what to expect and can plan accordingly. Receiving news of a cancer recurrence can elicit anger, fear, and fatigue. But a recurrence of cancer can be treated successfully, and maintaining a positive outlook can make it easier to fight cancer once again.