Body Esteem

Have you heard about the link between the gut microbiome and cancer?

If you haven’t, you’re definitely not alone. This field of research is still relatively new, with most of what we know only having been discovered in the last 20 years or so.

But what’s exciting is that emerging research is showing a clear connection between microbiome health and both tumor growth AND treatment outcomes. A healthy microbiome can be an indicator of how well someone responds to immunotherapy.

Interesting stuff!

In this month’s blog post, I’m talking all about what the research shows surrounding the microbiome and cancer, as well as what you can do to maintain a healthy microbiome.

Read the full post at the link in bio!

Using online grocery shopping can make life during cancer treatment so much easier.

It might seem small, but when you’re going through treatment, every bit of energy counts. And grocery shopping (the trip to the store, walking the aisles, loading and unloading) takes more out of you than you might realize.

Reasons to order groceries online ⬇️⬇️⬇️

+ You can save your frequently used items
Most services let you save past orders, so you can quickly reorder the staples you use regularly without having to think through your entire list every week.

+ It protects you if you’re immunocompromised
Avoiding crowded stores during treatment can help reduce your public exposure when your immune system is vulnerable.

+ It’s one less thing on your mental load
Treatment comes with so many appointments, decisions, and things to keep track of. Taking grocery shopping off your plate (even partially) frees up mental space for other things.

You can use services like Instacart, your local grocery store’s pickup or delivery option, or even Amazon Fresh. There are lots of options that could work for various circumstances and budgets.

And let me know if you give it a try!

Have you heard of Lynch Syndrome? 🧬

It’s a genetic condition that increases your risk for MULTIPLE different types of cancer.

They are:
Colon and re**al cancers
Endometrial and ovarian cancers
Stomach cancer
Small bowel cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Prostate cancer
Brain cancer
Gallbladder cancer
Liver Cancer
Skin Cancer
Urinary tract cancer

These cancers seem completely unrelated to each other.

Most people know that breast cancer and ovarian cancer can be linked. But colon cancer and endometrial cancer? Or liver cancer and skin cancer? Those connections aren’t common knowledge.

This is why so many people with Lynch Syndrome go undiagnosed.

A family might have a history of several different cancers, but because they’re different types, no one connects the dots.

If your family has a history of multiple cancers, especially different types or cancers diagnosed at younger ages, it’s worth having a conversation with your doctor about genetic testing.

Knowledge is power! And in this case, it could be lifesaving.

Even when you think you’re doing everything right, it’s easy to miss the genetic connections between different cancers. I know this firsthand.

Both my parents had colon cancer. My mom tested positive for Lynch Syndrome. I started getting colonoscopies in my 30s, stayed current with all my gynecological screenings, exercised daily, and ate healthy.

I was doing everything “as if” I had the Lynch gene.

But because colon cancer was so much on my radar, I never really thought about the OTHER cancers associated with Lynch Syndrome.

Then, in 2013, I was diagnosed with Endometrial Cancer.

I hadn’t connected the dots, even though I knew about Lynch and was being vigilant with my screenings.

If I could miss this connection—someone who KNEW my mom had Lynch—imagine how easy it is to miss if you don’t even know these genetic links exist.

That’s why tracking your family’s cancer history is so critical. Not just noting that “cancer runs in the family,” but getting specific: What types? At what ages? Who had multiple cancers?

Those details could save your life!

I’m breaking down how to track your family history and when to pursue Lynch Syndrome testing in my latest blog post. Link in bio to read it.

This Sunday, March 22nd, is Lynch Syndrome awareness day.

Did you know that 1 in 279 people are living with Lynch? And 95% of them don’t even know it.

As someone with Lynch, it’s always top of mind for me, but this March it’s especially important to get the word out!

Lynch Syndrome is associated with so many different types of cancers, so understanding your risk and getting tested as needed is critical.

Help me spread the word and share this post!