There are things you can do, however, to regain energy and stamina and start feeling better — and some of them require only 15 minutes (or less). Here are five changes to make today to improve your quality of life.
1. Take a 15-Minute Walk Outside
Renal cell carcinoma and its treatment can cause fatigue and trouble sleeping, but exercise can help you regain some of your energy.
The idea of working out may sound mentally and emotionally overwhelming, says Jacqueline T. Brown, MD, a medical oncologist with Emory Healthcare and an assistant professor at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University in Atlanta, but just a 15-minute walk can ease fatigue.
2. Treat Side Effects
Advanced cancer treatments like immunotherapy and targeted therapies can cause side effects that can interfere with your daily life. “With close follow-up and dose alterations, though, these can usually be well managed,” says Anthony Gulati, MD, a hematologist-oncologist with Stamford Health in Stamford, Connecticut.
Some of these side effects include:
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Irritation of the skin on your hands and feet
- High blood pressure
- Poor appetite
- Joint pain
If you’re taking tyrosine kinase inhibitors (or TKIs, a type of targeted therapy), you may develop a rash called hand-foot syndrome, says Dr. Gulati. If this happens, you can lessen the redness, swelling, and pain with doctor-recommended creams, lotions, pain medications, or skin-cooling socks and gloves.
“It is important to keep an open dialogue with your physician so that they can be active in managing these or any side effects that come up during treatment,” says Gulati.
3. ‘Over-Communicate’ With Your Care Team
Good communication between you and your care team can lay the groundwork for the best possible treatment with the fewest negative effects. “I always say, if you don’t tell me about your symptoms, I can’t help, so please tell me,” says Brown.
Some of Brown’s patients are hesitant to “bother” their doctors. “But,” says Brown, “big treatment side effects can start with small symptoms, so I tell them, ‘Please let me help you decide if something is important — don’t decide on your own that it isn’t.’”
If you’re not sure how to reach your care team with questions, ask your provider at your next appointment how you can best communicate with them.
4. Find Your Treatment ‘North Star’
The treatment plans for advanced renal cell carcinoma can change over time — but no matter what you choose to try next, keep your primary goal in mind.
“I encourage my patients to define their ‘why’ for seeking treatment,” says Brown. “I try to keep this reason as our metaphorical North Star throughout their treatment course.”
For example, some people may choose a more aggressive form of treatment, despite the side effects, whereas others want to live life to the fullest, without experiencing more side effects. When you can keep your North Star at the forefront, this can help you enjoy your life more, says Brown.
5. Ask About Palliative Care
Some types of palliative care include:
- External beam radiation therapy: Targets an area of cancer with beams of radiation, relieving some cancer symptoms
- Arterial embolization: A surgical procedure that blocks blood from reaching a tumor
- Mental health support: To help you work through feelings about your cancer diagnosis and treatment
- Financial and legal guidance: Managing financial planning, insurance, and legal forms like advanced directives
- Clinical trials: Joining a study of new treatments to improve quality of life
The Takeaway
- Advanced renal cell carcinoma can bring challenges, but you can maximize your quality of life with a few small lifestyle changes.
- Try to take a short walk every day, talk to your care team about new or worsening side effects, and ask about palliative care.
- Advanced renal cell carcinoma and its treatment can cause uncomfortable symptoms and side effects, but your care team can help adjust your treatment regimen to keep you as comfortable as possible.
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