by Bag It Team | Oct 5, 2024 | Educational Articles
Taking prescriptions as directed is crucial to getting the most benefit from your medication while keeping yourself safe. To help your healthcare providers prescribe the right medications, it’s important to share a full list of everything you’re taking, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, supplements and herbs. Many supplements and over the counter medicines can interact with prescription drugs, so being forthcoming with this information is key. Also, make sure to mention any allergies.
The first step in properly using your prescriptions is understanding them. When your healthcare provider prescribes a medication, here are some essential questions to ask if the information isn’t immediately shared:
- What is the name of the medication? Get both the brand and generic names and confirm which one you’re being prescribed.
- What is the medication for? Understand the purpose of the medication and the risks of not taking it as prescribed.
- What is the correct dosage and schedule? Ask when and how often to take it, and whether it should be taken with food or on an empty stomach.
- How long will it take to work, and how can you tell if it’s effective? Know the expected timeline for results and what to do if it doesn’t seem to work.
- Are there any interactions or restrictions while taking the medication? This includes certain foods, beverages, other medications, or activities you should avoid.
- What if you miss a dose or accidentally take too much? Find out how to handle missed doses and whether refills are necessary.
- What side effects should you watch for? Both physical and mental side effects can occur, so know what to expect and how to manage them.
- Are there specific storage or handling instructions? Some medications need refrigeration, while others should be stored at room temperature or in a certain location in your home.
Tips to Help You Remember to Take Your Medications
- Try to incorporate your medication routine into daily habits, like taking them with meals or at bedtime.
- Use technology, such as an alarm or a medication reminder app on your phone, to notify you when it’s time for your next dose.
- Consider asking a family member or caregiver to help remind you, especially for important medications.
- Organizing your medications into a pill organizer or separate containers for each day can make it easier to track what you’ve taken. Some pill organizers even come with built-in timers for added convenience.
Tips for Taking Medication
- Fill all prescriptions as instructed by your healthcare provider and be sure to follow the directions carefully. Complete the full course of medication unless your doctor advises otherwise.
- Never stop or change how you used medications to avoid potential safety risks.
- Use the patient forms in Section 1 of My Companion Guidebook (part of all Bag It Bags) to keep a detailed list of your current and past medications. Bring these lists to your doctor appointments and share them with your healthcare provider.
- Track your daily medication routine with customizable log forms in Section 2 of My Companion Guidebook (part of all Bag It Bags) to help you stay organized.
- It’s important to periodically review your medications with your healthcare provider or pharmacist, especially if you’re taking multiple prescriptions. This can help identify duplicate or unnecessary medications, or risky drug interactions.
- If you’re having trouble affording your prescription medications, Section 5 (Resources) of My Companion Guidebook (part of all Bag It Bags) lists organizations that may be able to help with financial support.
To see all of the helpful forms in the Bag It Bags, visit our Patient Page. You will also see a link to the forms in Spanish just under the Patients Forms heading.
by Bag It Team | Jul 29, 2024 | Educational Articles
Tips for Keeping You and Your Pet Healthy During Cancer Treatment
The “dog days of summer” remind us of the warmth and joy that pets bring into our lives, especially during tough times like a cancer diagnosis. Their companionship and unconditional love can brighten even the hottest, most challenging days. Many people consider their pets part of the family and rely on them for emotional support during difficult periods.
Studies show that pets can significantly improve mental well-being. Many cancer centers and hospitals recognize this and offer pet therapy programs. These programs include visits to clinics, support groups and even home visits for patients. Our furry friends can lift our moods, lower stress, create a calming effect, reduce pain and have a positive impact on our overall health.
During cancer treatment, your well-being and your pet’s well-being begins with effective communication.
It’s important to know that while you can’t give your pet cancer, having a pet can increase your risk of infection, especially if your immune system is compromised. Before starting cancer treatment, inform your doctor about your pet and how important they are to you. Discuss how your ability to care for your pet might be affected by the treatment and any potential side effects. Your doctor will provide personalized advice based on your type of cancer, specific treatments and the type of pet you have.
Precautions may vary, especially with pets like reptiles, amphibians, rodents, and birds, which can carry a higher risk of infection such as salmonella. Guidelines may include limitations on your involvement with your pet such as avoiding contact with their bodily fluids and waste, preventing scratches and possibly even limiting petting them.
Additionally, it’s crucial to keep potentially harmful cancer medications and related items out of your pet’s reach.
You may also want to consult your pet’s veterinarian to ensure your pet remains healthy during this time. Ask about essential steps, including proper grooming, keeping up-to-date with all recommended vaccinations and medications, and any necessary veterinary care.
Here are some tools and resources to help you take care of your pet during cancer:
My Cancer Circle – an online tool that helps organize the community of people who want to help you with your pet
CancerCare’s Pet Assistance & Wellness (PAW) Program features:
- Helpline
- Searchable online database to help people affected by cancer find low-cost or free pet care services
- Downloadable booklet: Planning for Your Pet’s Future Care A Guide to Caring for Your Beloved Pet After You’ve Been Diagnosed With Cancer
by Bag It Team | May 7, 2024 | Educational Articles
May marks Women’s Health Month, a time to raise awareness about the unique health needs of women. The demands of work and family, among other barriers, can greatly affect many women’s abilities to take care of their own health. This month’s spotlight on women serves as a gentle reminder for them to prioritize their own physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Consider the “whole” you, with these practical tips:
- Make good food and drink choices – avoid processed foods and sugar; focus on fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean protein
- Stay active – Exercise or do other physical activity you enjoy, and often
- Get preventive healthcare – have regular checkups and screenings recommended by your doctor
- Foster emotional well-being – cultivate resilience, practice self-care, nurture healthy relationships, and find balance in your daily life
Remember to “mind your mind” by tending to your mental health just as you would care for your physical health.
Research shows that maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help to lower your risk of many different health conditions, including cancer. Bag It Cancer recognizes the importance of having trustworthy resources specifically for women’s cancers. That’s why we collaborated with national women’s cancer nonprofits to create two Bag It Bags for metastatic breast and uterine cancers. Each bag has introductory information about these specific cancer types and the supportive resources offered by our partners. Order a Bag for yourself or a loved one.
Resources for Women’s Health
Know Your Rights: Reproductive Health Care from the Office on Women’s Health Women’s
Women’ Health from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
National Institutes of Health (NIH) – Office of Research on Women’s Health
by Bag It Team | Feb 10, 2024 | Educational Articles
Many of us know that making healthy lifestyle choices and getting recommended vaccines can help lower the risk or EVEN prevent some kinds of cancer.
Cancer screenings, which are also cancer prevention strategies, check your body for cancer, even if you have no signs or symptoms. There are different kinds of screenings including:
- A physical exam and personal history
- Lab tests
- Imaging tests
- Genetic tests (these tests look for changes in the genes that may indicate that a person has or is at risk of having a particular disease or condition).
Routine screening tests can help to find breast, cervical, colorectal (colon), and other cancers early, when they may be easier to treat or cure. Many expert organizations provide guidelines for different screenings, but it’s important to talk with your doctor about your personal situation. There are benefits and risks for most screenings, and certain tests may be recommended only for people who are considered high risk for a particular cancer. Together you and your healthcare provider can decide which screenings are appropriate for you.
Remember! When your doctor recommends a screening test for you, it does not necessarily mean they believe you have cancer. Screening tests are used in people with average risk and no symptoms of cancer. Usually these tests, if abnormal, require additional testing to definitively diagnose cancer. If you have symptoms or increased risk based on your personal or family history, you may need to start screening at an earlier age than is typically recommended or may need specialized testing.
Questions to ask your doctor about cancer screenings
- Are any cancer screening tests recommended for me? Which ones?
- Can we talk about the test’s potential risks compared to its benefits?
- When should I start getting cancer screenings? And how often?
- What is the purpose of the test?
- What happens during the test?
- How long does it take to get test results?
- What happens if the results are not normal?
Screening & Prevention Resources
Centers for Disease Prevention & Control, How to Prevent Cancer or Find It Early: Screening
National Cancer Institute, Cancer Screening
Prevent Cancer Foundation, Cancer Screenings and Prevention
American Cancer Society, hundreds of articles on screening and prevention
by Bag It Team | Nov 8, 2023 | Educational Articles
Palliative and hospice care provide similar, but different services for patients and their families that focus on a holistic approach and their quality of life.
Palliative care is a way to help people with serious illnesses feel better physically and emotionally, and it can start at any point in their illness. It works with other types of treatments that aim to cure the illness. By contrast, hospice care is a special kind of palliative care for those with less than six months to live, with a main focus on keeping them comfortable and emotionally-supported during that time.
Here are some important differences between these two kinds of care:
Palliative Care
- Aims to reduce pain and suffering in people with serious illnesses.
Read more from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
- Can start at any stage of the illness, including at diagnosis, and can coexist with treatments, regardless of the person’s expected recovery.
- Can take place in various locations, including hospitals, clinics, or even at home.
- The intensity of medical treatment can vary widely, potentially including strong treatments.
- Often covered by health insurance and integrated into regular medical care.
Hospice Care
- Primarily for individuals with a short life expectancy, often six months or less and involves a team of experts.
- Main goal is to provide maximum comfort rather than aiming for a cure.
- Usually provided at the patient’s home, in a specialized hospice facility, or in a hospital.
- Typically begins when it becomes clear that treatments are not effective, focusing on the patient’s comfort in their final days or months.
- Emphasizes comfort and symptom management, often discontinuing aggressive treatments.
- Often covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance for eligible patients.
Both palliative care and hospice care provide comfort and support for patients, one throughout cancer or other illness, and the other as one approaches the end of life. Have a conversation with your doctor to figure out the kind of care that’s right for you and your unique situation, so you can live your best life.
Don’t Wait! Bag It Bag and online resources are able to provide ways to empower patients and their families to ask for these services (palliative and hospice care) to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Order a Bag and explore our Cancer Resource Center.
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