7 pain management options for cancer patients you might not know about
Woman Diagnosed With Stage 4 Breast Cancer Reveals The 6 Things She Refuses To Ever Do Again
After surviving a stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis, Somya Prakash decided to make some serious changes to her everyday life. These changes were as little as the way she reheats her food, and they were as significant as reframing her entire outlook on her emotional state.
She took to TikTok to share why her new outlook meant never going back to some of the common habits she had engaged in before.
1. Use the microwave to reheat food.Some research suggests that frequently using a microwave to heat up food may cause cancer due to the low-frequency radiation emitted while in use. When they are set to higher power settings, they may increase the risk of carcinogens in foods, including acrylamides, bisphenol A, and phthalates.
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Even though carcinogens have the potential to cause cancer, it does not necessarily mean you will get cancer if you use a microwave. However, you may want to consider using a stove or an oven to reheat your meals instead to lower the risk. Prakash specifically mentioned avoiding plastic containers and microwave use, and this, according to research, is directly related to plastics that contain Bisphenol A or BPAs. BPAs are carcinogens used to give plastic its hard texture, and there has been evidence that these chemicals leach into food if the plastics are heated in a microwave. If a container does not clearly indicate that it is BPA-free, it's a good idea to follow Prakash's advice and choose a different heating method.
2. Use spray-on conventional perfume or cologneIn a follow-up video, Prakash explained the reasoning behind this particular decision. She noted that conventional perfumes are often considered toxic due to their use of synthetic chemicals. "Many perfumes on the market contain proprietary blends, which means that manufacturers are not required to disclose their ingredients," Prakash explained. "The term fragrance can include hundreds of undisclosed chemicals, and many perfumes release VOCs into the air and possible carcinogens."
Prakash also claimed that after ditching conventional perfumes, her health improved in other aspects. "It's so amazing cause ever since I've ditched perfumes and body mists, I've noticed that my sense of smell has heightened, and these scents actually give me a headache," she shared.
3. Rely on only one doctor for medical opinionsIf you've ever encountered a health crisis, you probably hopped right onto a frantic Google search after speaking with only one doctor. However, instead of psyching yourself out with internet horror stories, it is better to get a second opinion. Different doctors have different skill sets and experiences. That's why there are specialists.
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Getting a second opinion isn't just important for your physical diagnosis, either. It can help set your mind at ease and allow you to process what you are going through with the confidence that you are making the best possible decision regarding your health.
4. Use products with talc, phthalates or sulfatesTalc, phthalates, and sulfates are commonly found in personal care products such as shampoos, soaps, lotions, and hairsprays. While most of us overlook the dangers of these everyday products, the substances have been linked to cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, talcum powder might cause cancer in the ovaries if the powder particles (applied to the genital area or on sanitary napkins, diaphragms, or condoms) were to travel through the vagina, uterus and fallopian tubes to the ovaries. Talc can also be contaminated with asbestos, a known carcinogen linked to cancer in the lungs.
If you're worried about these ingredients, it's a good idea to check product labels and look for natural or safer alternatives when possible.
5. Suppress emotionsMany cancer patients may feel pressure to put on a brave face for their loved ones, especially during treatment. However, there will be many days when they are overwhelmed by exhaustion, fear, and sadness. There is nothing wrong with needing a shoulder to cry on and a space to vent. In fact, you are doing yourself a disservice if you don't allow yourself an outlet for the myriad emotions caused by the trauma of a serious diagnosis.
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According to the American Cancer Society, survivors with strong emotional support tend to adjust better to the changes following diagnosis and treatment. Patients with good friends and family supporting them report a better quality of life. Having an emotional outlet is also good for healing.
6. Disregard added sugars on ingredient labelsWhile sugar itself does not necessarily pose a cancer risk, added sugars just might. Added sugars are sugars that are added to foods or beverages during processing or preparation rather than occurring naturally in the food. Some examples of added sugars include high fructose corn syrup, honey, and molasses.
These ingredients provide no nutritional value and contribute to weight gain and other health issues. Some of our favorite foods, which we may believe are entirely healthy, may contain a high amount of added sugars, including yogurt, protein bars, and breakfast cereal. It is always important to be mindful of packaged and processed foods because you have control over what you eat.
Megan Quinn is a staff writer with a bachelor's degree in English and a minor in Creative Writing. She covers news and lifestyle topics that focus on justice in the workplace, personal relationships, parenting debates, and the human experience.
Stage IV Breast Cancer Treatment Options
With stage IV, the breast cancer has spread to other parts of your body. Often the bones, brain, lungs, or liver are affected. Because multiple areas may be involved, focused treatments like surgery or radiation alone may not be enough.
Treatment of stage IV doesn't cure the disease. But by shrinking the cancer, it can often slow it down, help you feel better, and let you live longer. Patients with stage IV breast cancer may live for years, but it's usually life-threatening at some point.
Chemotherapy is often the main treatment for this stage. It can slow down the growth of the cancer. It's often used in combination with hormone therapy.
You can get chemo several different ways. You may take pills or liquids, but often the drugs are put right into your veins. Depending on the type of treatment, it may be given in cycles that allow your body breaks in between.
Hormone therapy can be helpful for women with hormone receptor-positive cancers. That means certain hormones stimulate growth of the cancer. In these women, medications can prevent the tumor from getting the hormone. These drugs include tamoxifen for all women and aromatase inhibitors such as anastrozole (Arimidex), exemestane (Aromasin), and letrozole (Femara) for postmenopausal women.
Fulvestrant (Faslodex), elacestrant (Orserdu) and toremifene (Fareston) are drugs that block hormone receptors. These medicines are sometimes given to women with metastatic breast cancer. Women who haven't reached menopause may consider having their ovaries removed to stop them from making hormones that help cancer grow.
Targeted therapy is a newer treatment. About 20% of women with breast cancer have too much of a protein known as HER2, and it makes the cancer spread quickly. Women with HER2-positive cancer that has spread often take trastuzumab (Herceptin). It stops the protein from making the cancer cells grow. Other targeted therapies for HER2-positive positive cancer that may be prescribed include ado-trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla), fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki (Enhertu), lapatinib (Tykerb), margetuximab (Margenza), neratinib (Nerlynx), pertuzumab (Perjeta), or tucatinib (Tukysa),
Abemaciclib (Verzenio), palbociclib (Ibrance), ribociclib (Kisqali) are targeted therapies that block certain proteins called CDKs and slow cancer growth. They are given in certain women who have hormone receptor-positive and HER2-negative cancers.
A new Class of drugs called PARP inhibitors has been found to help women who are HER2-negative but who have BRCA mutated breast cancer. PARP inhibitors include olaparib (Lynparza) and talazoparib (Talzenna) and target a protein that helps cancer cells grow.
Other types of targeted therapies include:
Immunotherapy drugs stimulate your immune system to find and destroy cancer cells. In women with advanced hormone receptor-negative and HER2-negative breast cancer the immunotherapy drug atezolizumab (Tecentriq) is sometimes given in combination with the chemotherapy paclitaxel (Abraxane). Atezolizumab blocks a protein called PD-L1.
Surgery and radiation are used in some cases. These treatments may help treat pain and other symptoms in areas where the cancer has spread.
Other drugs may help treat some of the side effects of breast cancer treatment, such as nausea and fatigue.
Clinical trials are open to many women with stage IV breast cancer. A clinical trial may give you access to cutting-edge treatments. Talk to your doctor to find out more about them.
Need help navigating metastatic breast cancer? Sign up for our free Advanced Breast Cancer Newsletter.
I Have Stage 4 Cervical Cancer At 31 — Male Doctors Dismissed My Symptoms As 'just My Period'
A mom who was diagnosed with stage four cervical cancer claims doctors said her blood clot symptoms were "just your period."
Charley Jayne Law, 31, began bleeding clots the size of her "palms" but was dismissed by male doctors on multiple visits to a London hospital over two months.
She was eventually referred to gynecology at King's College Hospital and was diagnosed on January 27, 2025, after a number of blood tests, transfusions, and iron tests.
Charley was so unwell she had to be admitted as an inpatient and had to make the hard decision to put her children into emergency foster care.
Now at Guy's Cancer Centre she has been told her cancer is incurable but treatable and is building up strength — after dropping from 168 lbs to 98 lbs — so she can start chemotherapy.
Charley Jayne Law, 31, began bleeding clots the size of her "palms" but was dismissed by male doctors on multiple visits to a London hospital over two months. Charley Jayne Law / SWNS"I was bleeding clots the size of my palms," Charley, a full-time mom from Sydenham, London, said. "I attended hospital multiple times between September and December 2024 and was fobbed off with "it's just your period" by multiple male doctors who didn't even do the basics of an examination.
"The news on January 27 tore my world apart.
"My body was on the verge of giving up as during this entire time I was still a mom. I was still doing the school runs, I was still dealing with my toddler by myself, the housework, the appointments and scans, and everything in between — despite begging for help from social services, the kid's school, and anyone that would help.
"I had to make the hardest decision to place my children who have never been away from mommy not even for one night into emergency foster care. WHY?
Law was eventually referred to gynecology at King's College Hospital and was diagnosed in January 2025, after a number of blood tests, transfusions, and iron tests. Charley Jayne Law / SWNS"The mom guilt was so bad but I knew that if I didn't go into hospital I wouldn't have been here the following day."
Charley said when she finally got a proper examination, she knew something was wrong straight away.
"She referred me to Kings College gynecology and I went in on January 16, 2025," she said.
"The moment she did the examination, not even 10 seconds into it, I knew there was something seriously wrong — she had a really bad poker face.
"The gynecologist brought in a specialist who introduced herself as Lucy, a Macmillan nurse. My heart sank."
Charley is slowly gaining weight and hopes to start chemotherapy in the coming weeks, but says her kids are struggling to understand why she can't come home.
"I had to make the hardest decision to place my children who have never been away from mommy not even for one night into emergency foster care," she continued. Charley Jayne Law / SWNS"Both of my boys have additional needs which makes this ten times harder as they struggle to understand why mommy simply can't just come home," she said.
"And my daughter is still a baby that wants her mommy.
"All throughout this, my kids have been my absolute rocks and light in the dark.
"They have had their whole world as they know it turned upside down but they have been amazing and I want to be able to make as many memories with them, take as many pictures and videos for them to look back on when I'm not here as possible."
A fundraiser was set up by a family member, Julie Mullan, with the funds going towards a holiday for Charley and her children to allow them to have "memories to look back on."
Charley is slowly gaining weight and hopes to start chemotherapy in the coming weeks, but says her kids are struggling to understand why she can't come home. Charley Jayne Law / SWNS"It's destroyed her," Julie, 47, from Sidcup, said. "All she's saying at the moment is she wants to stay alive as long as possible for her babies.
"All we want this fundraiser to do is allow her to make memories for her and her kids. We just want to get them on holiday and allow them to be able to do things.
"She doesn't want her children to think she's abandoned them."
Help Charley and her family here.
A spokesperson for Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust said: "We were truly sorry to hear of Ms. Law's diagnosis and our thoughts are with her and her family as she continues her treatment. We would encourage Ms. Law to reach out to us directly so we can look into her ED experience, which concluded in a self-discharge before we were able to complete our medical assessments. Ms. Law can contact us at 020 8333 3355 or pals.Lewisham@nhs.Net so that we can investigate her concerns and also offer our support as needed."
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