Toxic Sips
According to the Lung Cancer Research Foundation, as of January 1, 2022, an estimated 654,620 people in the United States had been diagnosed with lung cancer at some point in their lives. To help, there's Imfinzi (durvalumab), an immunotherapy drug used to treat certain types of lung cancer. It works by targeting a protein called PD-L1 on the surface of cancer cells.
Drinks to Avoid with Lung Cancer
1. Alcohol
Alcohol can weaken the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight cancer.
Alcohol can also interact negatively with chemotherapy and other medications, reducing their effectiveness and increasing side effects. Some studies show that alcohol can contribute to inflammation, which might exacerbate cancer symptoms.
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2. Caffeine
Studies show that drinking caffeine might be linked to an increased risk of lung cancer. Particularly over the last 5 years, studies have indicated that lung cancer risk is significantly increased by 47% in the population of coffee and caffeine drinkers.
3. Soda
A study by the National Library of Medicine found a strong correlation between soft drinks and lung conditions. It stated that soft drink consumers were nearly three times more likely to have asthma as compared to non-consumers, which they believe was due to an association with BMI and inflammation.
4. Energy Drinks
Energy drinks often contain high levels of caffeine and sugar, both of which can have adverse effects on cancer patients.
Common Symptoms of Lung Cancer
Like with most cancers, early detection is one of the best ways to significantly improve the prognosis. The best way to do this is by being aware of your symptoms as well as what feels normal or abnormal to you. While having one or more of these symptoms does not automatically mean that cancer is present, it is still important to talk to your doctor right away upon detection to learn the source. Common symptoms of lung cancer include:
- A cough that does not go away or gets worse.
- Coughing up blood or rust-colored phlegm.
- Chest pain that is often worse with deep breathing, coughing or laughing.
- Hoarseness.
- Loss of appetite.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Shortness of breath.
- Feeling tired or weak.
Treatment Options
Due to advancements in lung cancer research, patients have many treatment options available to them. Ultimately, treatment comes down to how advanced the lung cancer is as well as other health factors. Some of the most common lung cancer treatment options include:
1. Surgery
- Lobectomy: Removal of an entire lobe of the lung.
- Pneumonectomy: Removal of an entire lung.
- Segmentectomy or wedge resection: Removal of part of a lobe.
2. Radiation Therapy
- External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT): High-energy rays are directed at the cancer from outside the body.
- Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT): A type of EBRT that delivers high doses of radiation precisely to the tumor, minimizing damage to surrounding tissue.
- Brachytherapy: Internal radiation delivered close to the tumor through a catheter.
3. Chemotherapy
- Often used for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and advanced stages of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
- Can be given before surgery to shrink tumors or after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells.
- Common drugs include Lorbrena, cisplatin, carboplatin, paclitaxel and gemcitabine.
4. Clinical Trials
Investigational treatments that are not yet widely available but may offer new hope for patients, including new drugs, combinations of treatments or novel approaches like CAR-T cell therapy.
IMFINZI
Imfinzi (durvalumab) is an immunotherapy drug used to treat certain types of lung cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). It works by targeting a protein called PD-L1 on the surface of cancer cells. By blocking PD-L1, Imfinzi helps the immune system recognize and attack the cancer cells more effectively. It is often used in combination with other treatments like chemotherapy and radiation and is administered through an intravenous (IV) infusion. Imfinzi is typically used after initial treatments to help prevent the cancer from returning or progressing.
Sip Smart
Navigating lung cancer involves not only managing treatment and symptoms but also making lifestyle choices that can impact overall health. Avoiding certain drinks, such as alcohol, caffeine, soda and energy drinks, can play a crucial role in managing the disease and supporting treatment efforts. These beverages can weaken the immune system, interact negatively with medications and contribute to inflammation.
