Katarina Sjövall has studied partners of individuals with colorectal cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer or prostate cancer. The study shows that the number of diagnosed diseases among partners increased by 25 per cent after the cancer diagnosis.

“Having a close relative with cancer entails worry and anxiety and an increased workload that places a strain on one’s health”, she says.

The most significant increase was in diagnoses of mental illnesses such as depression. However, there was also a significant increase in cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal diseases and abdominal diseases. The highest increase was in cardiovascular disease among spouses and partners of those with lung cancer, which increased by almost 50 per cent.

The increase in diagnosed diseases led to increased use of the health service, primarily in-patient care. among the partners who worked, the number of days of sick leave also increased. The worst affected were spouses and partners of lung cancer patients, who had over 70 per cent more days off sick than the general population in the year following their partner’s diagnosis.

While women in general are responsible for a larger proportion of healthcare costs than men in Sweden, the reverse was true in this case. Healthcare costs increased most for men under 64 who had a partner with cancer.

“One possible explanation could be that the men feel less comfortable taking on a caring role as the partner of a cancer patient and that they therefore suffer more stress”, says Katarina Sjövall.

In one of her studies, Ms Sjövall interviewed patients with colorectal cancer and their partners. The patients sometimes spoke of feeling that their physical and psychological experiences were not acknowledged by the health service. Neither did their partners always feel as involved as they would like to be.

“Our interviews showed that the cancer patients sometimes chose not to tell those closest to them what they were going through out of consideration for them. However, this considerate attitude could have the opposite effect”, says Katarina Sjövall.

When it comes to the health service, Ms Sjövall finds that care at the end of life is good at also helping the relatives and making them feel involved in what is happening. at earlier stages, however, there may be wide variations in approach and opportunities to offer support to relatives.

Another part of the study looks at the cancer patients’ sick leave in the year prior to the cancer diagnosis. Individuals with colon cancer and lung cancer had twice as many days off sick as the control group even in the year before their diagnosis.

“One reason could be that both forms of cancer have a lot to do with lifestyle. therefore, individuals with colon cancer often also have diabetes, and individuals with lung cancer often have cardiovascular disease. The sick leave may have been due to these other diseases – but it could also have been due to early symptoms of the cancer. this makes one wish there were better ways to make a diagnosis based on very early cancer symptoms”, says Katarina Sjövall.

Provided by Lund University

Pancreatitis is a condition that entails inflammation or infection of the pancreas, which is the organ that produces digestive hormones such as glucagon and insulin. some pancreatitis symptoms include jaundice (which makes the eyes and skin yellow), fever, weight loss, localized pain, weakness, and nausea. Pancreatitis treatment often involves medication, but you can also help yourself by following a pancreatitis liquid diet plan, as it will assist in soothing the digestive tract and take a lot of pressure and workload off the pancreas.

It is important to understand the theory behind pancreatitis treatment and why the pancreatitis liquid diet plan is right to follow. There are two main pancreatitis diet plans. These are the clear liquid- and the full liquid diet plan. the two plans are used progressively, one after the other, so that the patient’s tolerance level can be tested. if the patient has a good response to the clear liquid diet, then it is possible to continue on to the full liquid one.

To begin the pancreatitis treatment, you should first consume only clear liquids. this diet plan is much more restrictive than the full liquid one, but it is one that allows the pancreas to have the most rest from its daily work. the diet with only clear liquids also helps keep the body hydrated and it supplies it with electrolytes that are important, like potassium and sodium. In addition, the clear liquid diet plan provides energy for the body when a full diet plan is not possible to adhere to.

The clear liquid diet plan means that you should consume liquids that you can only see through completely. Such liquids include plain water, clear fruit juices without pulp (like apple, grape, or cranberry), broth, jello, tea, clear sports drinks or sodas, and popsicles. this diet should be adhered to only for a short time, because these liquids cannot possibly sustain the nutritional needs of the body for more than a few days. so, if you get through it for 24 hours without a pancreas attack, then it is time to move on to the full liquid diet.

The full liquid diet is much more inclusive than the clear liquid one. other foods may be included in the full liquid diet, like milk, jelly, honey, soup, ice cream, yogurt, pureed vegetables and meats, and pudding. Try to take in as many calories with this full liquid diet plan as you would with a normal diet that entails solid foods, even though this might be difficult. That way your body will be supplied with the necessary energy that will help to combat the infection. you should stick to the full liquid diet plan until your pancreatitis symptoms dissipate or until your doctor advises you to do so.

For more information on pancreatitis, go to:en.wikipedia.org,betterhealth.vic.gov.au

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The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.