Tag Archives: Iowa Cancer Specialists

Create a Vibrant Life With A Functional Medicine Approach

Life Style Intervention

Dr. Linda Jager believes that we all deserve a vibrant life and that we each have the potential to
create this for ourselves. We know that the root cause of many of chronic diseases can be
helped with lifestyle intervention. By that we mean changes in what we eat, how
much we move, and our attitudes and outlook on life.

Dr. Jager uses a Functional Medicine approach to help you achieve your health goals.
Functional Medicine is a systems-oriented approach that engages both the patient and doctor
in a therapeutic partnership. Instead of treating just the symptoms of disease, Functional Medicine addresses the whole person. Many diseases have genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors that can influence long term health and disease progression. Most doctors are not adequately trained to apply strategies such as nutrition, diet and exercise to prevent or treat chronic illness. Functional Medicine practitioners are specially trained in these areas.

Principles of Functional Medicine

Patient-centered care
Health promotion, beyond just the absence of disease
Individual, not protocol-driven, treatment plans
Integrative, science-based approach to healthcare
Attention to internal (mind, body, spirit) factors
Attention to external (physical and social environmental) factors
Integration with best medical practices

The Vibrant Health Approach

When treating cancer, a Functional Medicine doctor would agree that both radiation and other
conventional approaches are required, but then would also ask what else we can do as a patient-doctor partnership? And, how can we promote the patient’s underlying health issues? MostAmericans diets full of sugar and other unhealthy items, lack exercise, and are under chronic stress. Dr. Jager helps her patients implement changes to have the best chance of healing. A critical part of this type of care is to develop a health plan that the patient will embrace and adhere to.

Science is now proving what we all knew intuitively – that how we live, the quality of our
relationships, the food we eat and how we use our bodies determines much more than our
genes ever will. There are numerous strategies to combat or prevent cancer, including eating
well, exercising regularly, getting sufficient sleep, and controlling stress levels.

Interested? On Sunday, February 3rd from 4-5 pm Dr. Jager will be offer a free introduction to her Functional Medicine approach by reviewing the principles and strategies used in Functional Medicine. This class is located at the Genesis West Medical Center in the Borromeo Conference Room. If you cannot make this event, please call ICS at 563-421-1960 for future dates. Of, note, Dr. Jager also teaches a six-week lifestyle modification class on Sunday evenings. The last class for this session is February 10th. Call ICS for more details.

We look forward to seeing you.

Therapy Options For Nicotine Addiction

Written by Dr. Linda Jager.

Quitting tobacco is the number one way to improve your health. If you would like help quitting smoking, ICS offers clinical consultations for smoking cessation.

Stopping tobacco use is often described as a journey because it sometimes takes more than one attempt to quit. It has been reported that over 70% of smokers want to quit, and as many as 50% attempt to quit every year. Unfortunately, only 5-10% of smokers who try to quit “cold turkey” are successful in the long term because smoking is not just a habit, but an addiction. The addiction is real and difficult to overcome, and even more so without support.

To be successful, it is best to think of it as a stepwise process. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommend that, unless contraindicated, people who smoke ten or more cigarettes a day will consider the use of a drug therapy in every attempt to quit.

Making it easier to kick the habit:

There are a number of medications to make quitting easier. A variety of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products are available without a prescription (patches, gums, lozenges). Other nicotine replacement therapy products (inhalers and nasal spray) require a prescription. Other helpful prescription medications include Zyban and Chantix, both of which curb your desire for tobacco. Research shows that patients who use a combination of therapies are the most successful.

Many different support systems are also available–including online, telephone consultation, phone apps, personal counseling, group therapy, acupuncture and hypnosis.

Why is it even more important to stop smoking with a cancer diagnosis?

Continuing to use tobacco during treatment can make treatments difficult to tolerate, increase side effects, and even undermine treatment effectiveness. Cancer patients already have an increased risk of a secondary cancer and smoking further increases this risk.

Let ICS help you develop a personalized stepwise approach to assist you on your journey to be tobacco free. Call ICS today to schedule your smoking cessation consultation.

When Smokers Quit:
20-30 minutes	Blood pressure and pulse rate drop to normal; body temperature of hands and feet increase to normal. Blood flow returns to skin.
8 hours	In the blood carbon monoxide drops to normal and oxygen increases to normal
24 Hours	Chance of heart attack decreases
48 hours	Nerve ending start to regrowing and ability to smell and taste is enhanced.
2 weeks- 3 months	Circulation improves, walking is easier and lung function efficiency increases.
1-9 Months	Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decrease
1 year	Excess risk of coronary artery disease is half that of a smoker
5 years	Lung cancer death rate ( 1 pack per day smoker) decreases almost half. Stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker after 5-15 years. Risk of cancer of mouth, throat and esophagus is half that of smoker’s.
10 Years	Lung cancer death rate similar to nonsmokers, precancerous cells replaced, risk of cancer of bladder, kidney and pancreas decreases.
15 years	Risk of Coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker.

Mitochondrial Health–The Power House of Your Cells

Today’s post was written by Iowa Cancer Specialist’s newest physician, Dr. Linda Jager.

Just the title of this article might scare you off if you have nightmares from you 10th grade biology course where they taught you the parts of the cell. But don’t be afraid, this little
organelle of the cell is central to your health. Mitochondria also called the “power house” of
the cell are the part of the cell that makes your energy. They take oxygen and nutrients from
food and make energy. When mitochondria work well they help reduce fatigue, pain, and
memory problems while supporting muscles and burning excess fat.

Damaged mitochondria can result from eating foods that encourage generalized inflammation
and pain. Mitochondria are damaged by toxins in our environment.
If you were to look at a mitochondria under an electron microscope you would see that it looks
a little like a bacteria, it is bean shaped organelle made up of folded membranes, and it even
has its own DNA. You know how mom’s are always to blame for anything that goes wrong?
Well it may be right when you talk about your mitochondria. For it is from your mom that you inherit your mitochondria.

Mitochondria are in all cells, but cells that need a lot of energy like
muscles, including the heart, and nerves have largest concentrations of mitochondria. Mitochondria need certain things in the diet to stay healthy, since most of their structure is made up of cell membrane. Cell membranes are made up of fat. So to keep thier
power houses happy they need healthy fat.

Healthy Fat:
Is there such a thing as healthy fat? Yes there is! In particular we need (DHA) Omega 3 fatty acids for healthy mitochondria.

Where can we find these? Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, cod and sardines.

Other healthy fats that are needed are medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). Coconut oil is a source of MCTs.

Avocados and advocated oil supply the body with heart healthy monounsaturated fats. The
remarkable avocado had 20 different minerals, vitamins and phytonutrients, and is natural
antioxidant.

Extra virgin olive oil: high quality oil rich in polyphenols which are also antioxidants.

What do mitochondria like for fuel?
Ketones over carbohydrates. So a low carbohydrate diet is preferred..
Mitochondria like it when you don’t eat. Fasting and caloric restriction increase the number of
mitochondrial present. It can be as simple as 12 hrs between dinner and breakfast.

What are the essential Nutrients for energy production?
CoQ10 body can make it but decreased production after 50 yrs old and statins interfere with
production. Alpha lipid acid and acetyl L Carnitine B vitamins: Riboflavin, B1, B2, B3, niacin, Magnesium

What factors that damage Mitochondria?
Aging, toxic metals, Alcohol, persistent organic pollutants.

Dr. Jager has a diverse medical background in family medicine, wound care, emergency room care, pathology, functional and palliative care. She uses her experience in functional medicine with her patients at ICS. Functional care is an individualized, science-based approach that addresses the root cause of disease. It leverages the patient’s genetics, lifestyle, and biochemical components to personalize treatment plans including lifestyle modifications, stress reduction, and dietary changes to promote optimal wellness.

Dr. Linda Jager Joins ICS

Iowa Cancer Specialists is happy to welcome Dr. Linda Jager to our team!

Dr. Jager is a graduate of the Indiana School of Medicine. Her diverse medical background in family medicine, wound care, emergency room care, pathology, functional and palliative care is an asset at Iowa Cancer Specialists.

At ICS, Dr. Jager will primarily be working with our patients who need palliative/supportive care. Dr. Jager knows this field well as she formerly was the Palliative Care Director for Genesis Family Medical Center. Palliative care is for patients who have a chronic illness and to help them manage their pain, symptoms, as well as help improve their quality of life. Palliative care also helps with advanced care planning and supports patients and families as they face a life changing disease.

Dr. Jager will also use her experience in functional medicine with her patients at ICS. Functional care is an individualized, science-based approach that addresses the root cause of disease. It leverages the patient’s genetics, lifestyle, and biochemical components to personalize treatment plans including lifestyle modifications, stress reduction, and dietary changes to promote optimal wellness. According to Dr. Jager “watching the body heal is phenomenal.”

In addition, Dr. Jager intends to utilize her skills as a medical educator derived from teaching at Mary Crest College and St. Ambrose University while working with her patients at ICS. She states that education and teaching is her passion and it is important to her that “patients be heard, and that the truth be spoken. ”

Dr. Jager is originally from Pennsylvania, but has lived in Louisiana and Indiana before settling in the Quad City Area. She has three children, a daughter and two sons, and enjoys gardening, and playing tennis. She also loves hiking and spending time in the woods. A woman of faith, one of her core beliefs is that “you should live to use the gifts God has given you to serve others.”

Dr. Jager is enthusiastic to live out this belief while serving her patients at Iowa Cancer Specialists.

Showing Support To A Loved One With Cancer

If your friend or loved one was diagnosed with cancer and you want to be supportive, but are afraid you may say or do the wrong thing, you are not alone. To help with the guesswork, we have a few helpful suggestions.

1. Let your loved one know you are available for them, and then be available when they call.

2. Always call and ask permission before you drop by just in case your friend is having a bad day.

3. Offer to take your friend out to lunch.

4. Send notes. Promise to call them, and then keep the promise.

5. If your friend has kids at home, offer to take the kids for a day to do something fun. Often times, cancer patients feel a false sense of guilt because they think their family is suffering because of their illness, so doing something with their children can be especially encouraging.

6. Offer rides to doctor appointments.

7. Offer to run errands–grocery shop, pick up prescriptions, etc.

8. Don’t monopolize conversations.

9. Don’t tell horror stories of friends with cancer.

10 Don’t give medical advice or tell them to “cheer up.”

11. Don’t say, “I know how you feel.”

12. Don’t ask their prognosis. Your friend will volunteer this information on their own when they feel it is appropriate.

13. Don’t say, “If you need anything, please call .” Instead, offer to do some of the recommendations listed above.

14. Don’t visit if you are ill. Your friend’s immune system may be lower due to chemotherapy.

15. Do respect your friend’s treatment decisions, just as you would want them to respect yours.

16. If your loved one snaps at you, don’t take it personally as it could be pain and/or fear talking.

17. If on a visit your friend cries, let them cry. Tears are a normal response to what your friend is going through. Everyone responds to stress in unique ways. With a cancer diagnosis, your loved one may feel fear about the future, guilt, resentment, or depression. Often they may confess an anger with God or anger with others. Sometimes, cancer patients ask “Why me?”. They may even be in denial about the diagnosis. Remember, you are not expected to have all the answers and silence is okay. Pat their hand. Give them a hug. Let your friend talk and make eye contact.

18. Some people have a hard time accepting help and want to be as independent as possible. If your loved one turns down your offer of support, don’t take it personally. Instead send encouraging notes from time to time and, at a later date, offer again.

19. Lastly, let your friend know you are rooting for them. Sometimes just knowing there are people cheering you on is all the support a person fighting cancer needs.

Recommended Reading:

When Someone You Love Has Cancer, by Cecil Murphey

Cancer Etiquette, by Rosanne Kulick

Help Me Live: 20 Things People with Cancer Want You to know, Lori Hope

Things I wish I’d Known, Deborah Cornwall

Fighting Cancer with Man’s Best Friend

We’ve all heard stories of dogs saving lives whether it be alerting a family to a house fire, protecting their owner from an intruder, or saving a child from a vicious animal attack. Now, dogs are assisting in another lifesaving way–aiding in the fight against cancer.

At twenty-two sites across the United States, clinical trials are taking place on dogs with cancer. Please note, these trials are held on dogs who have developed the disease naturally and whose owners are seeking a cure for their pet. The cancer is not given experimentally as is most often the case with laboratory mice.

Cancer is the number one cause for death in older dogs, and the majority of cancers seen in dogs closely resemble the cancers that affect people–including their biological behavior, where it spreads, and the speed in which the cancer grows. This is why “comparative oncology” has recently emerged as a promising means to help cure cancer. Comparative oncology researchers study the similarities between naturally occurring cancers in dogs and cancers in people in order to provide clues on how to treat cancer more effectively.

At its core, cancer is a genetic disease. Each breed of dog (over 400 recognized) has its own unique set of genes, and different breeds of dogs are predisposed to different types of cancer. For example, lymphoma is more likely to affect golden retrievers. Squamous cell carcinoma is found more often in standard poodles (but only those with black hair). Invasive bladder cancer is more likely to be found in Scotties, Westies, and Shelties. Brain cancer (glioma) is more likely to be found in terriers, boxers, and bulldogs. An aggressive type of bone cancer that affects children called osteosarcoma is also found in large dog breeds such as Great Danes and German shepherds.

Humans and dogs are also especially similar when it comes to the immune system. Immunotherapy, which uses the immune system to fight cancer, has been effective in dog trials which is promising for humans. When a trial is successful in a dog, it can move on to a human trial. As of now four drugs have made it to a human trial. Sutent, which is sometimes prescribed for advanced kidney cancer, is one such drug. And in 2010, the vaccine known as ONCEPT became the first cancer vaccine to be approved in the United States. According to Jedd D. Wolchok, M.D., Ph.D., the chief of the Melanoma and Immunotherapeutics Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, “There’s no question that the success of the animal trials did a lot to speed up the approval process of the human trials.”

Seems to us, dogs may just be man’s best friend–and women’s, too!

Source Material: The Veterinary Cancer Resource Center, Cancer Research Institute, Dogtime.com, NBC News, CNN

Welcome Spring!

Your First Visit

It’s natural to feel apprehensive on your first visit to an oncologist’s office. We at Iowa Cancer Specialists would like to ease your anxiety and let you know what you can expect.

We are located at Genesis West Medical Center inside the Cancer Center which is just off of the glass atrium. When you walk through the Cancer Center entry, go to the reception desk on the left side of the room where you will be greeted by one of our friendly receptionists. Our office should have sent you forms to be filled out in advance, and this is the time to turn them in. If you forgot to bring the forms, please plan a few extra minutes as you will be asked to fill them out again. Also, have your insurance cards ready as well as your co-pay. You will be asked to sign other forms that give us permission to bill your insurance and information on the patient information and privacy act. We strive to keep patient wait time to a minimum. But, while you do wait, help yourself to the coffee, tea, or water provided in the waiting area.

When the nurse or medical assistant calls your name, you will be ushered into our exam room. There she will have you step on and off the scale and will take your vitals. She will ask you questions regarding the reason for your visit, habits you many have, any concerns or current health problems, and family history.

When you see the doctor, he/she will ask you more questions. Sometimes a full physical exam is required; sometimes not—depending on the diagnosis. Your referring physician should have sent us your records for our review. Our doctors will go over this information with you. We recommend you have a family member or friend with you to help you digest the information covered, as well as as notebook to write down instructions. Be sure to ask your questions. We want you to leave our office with all of your questions answered.

Treatment varies from individual to individual. Of course, you may request a second opinion at any time, and we will be happy to assist you in scheduling one.

Expect our physicians to order lab work. This is important, especially if chemotherapy is recommended. Also, CT scans may be ordered. These are necessary and used to evaluate how well the treatment is working.

Our physicians may order other tests as well. This is because not all cancers are the same, nor do they respond the same way to treatment. It is important for us to gather as much information to determine how to best treat you.

For your convenience, we have a lab in our office if blood work is ordered. Also, we have an in-clinic dispensary to assist in filling your prescriptions.

We will keep your referring physician updated on your progress. We are always available to answer any questions.

Having a cancer diagnosis is stressful enough. Our goal is to make this journey as easy as possible.

Check out this behind the scenes interview of an important team member of Iowa Cancer Specialists!

Before Marie Tschopp was a transcriptionist for Iowa Cancer Specialists she was a stay at home mom searching for something to express her creativity while earning some money as well.

That led her to joining a storytelling guild and doing presentations for churches, schools and other organizations. Tschopp said her most popular program over the years has been her recreation of Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the Little House on the Prairie books.

Now she’s taken her research into the family further by releasing her book on Mary Ingalls, her sister.

“I saw there wasn’t a book on Mary and her time at the blind school,” Tschopp said. “I asked if they would allow me to write one and opened up their archives and was able to put together a book on Mary Ingalls at the blind school.”

The book is available through Amazon and features information on her life at the Iowa College for the Blind and photos that haven’t yet been published.

To put the book together she spent quite a bit of time digging through archives.

“I did a lot of research, I visited Iowa State Historical Society and the Herbert Hoover museum. They have the Wilder papers so I went there and did a lot of research,” Tschopp said.

Tschopp said writing the book and presenting as Laura Ingalls allows her to express her creativity and have some fun while doing it.

She’s a member of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association as well and has devoted hours and hours to researching the family for her presentations and book.

Marie has a website at http://www.marietschopp.com.

How did some nurses get to be where they are today?

Ever wonder how the Iowa Cancer Specialists nurses got to be where they are today? We sat down with three of our nurses and asked them why they wanted to be a nurse.

We spoke with Molly Rima, Amber Claussen and our nurse practitioner Katie Browne about what made them want to become nurses.

Molly Rima

Why did you want to become a nurse?

When I was a little girl my grandmother, she took care of me, I didn’t go to preschool or anything and went to her house before Kindergarten.

She was a nurse and was in pediatrics and cardiology and she taught me all the bones in the body before I went to school so that is where it all started and I never wavered. I always wanted to be a nurse since I was four or five years old.

So what was it about your grandmother that made you want to be a nurse?

Everyone always talked about how good she was at her job and how compassionate she was about it and how much she loved her patients. I kind of see that in myself with her, I feel like I’m a very compassionate person and care about people a lot and I think that is a trait you really have to have as a nurse.

Where there any differences in your expectations when you became a nurse?

When you get into nursing school you kind of doubt yourself and wonder if you’re cut out for this. I was signed up to go to the University of Iowa and found out they didn’t do their internships until a year into their program. I was kind of a homebody and I looked into Scott (Community College) and they offered clinicals within the first eight weeks. At that point I was thinking ‘I think I want to be a nurse but I’ve never been in that setting before’ so for me there was no better way than being hands on to know if I really want this.

My first rotation was in a nursing home and I wasn’t sure if I wanted it but as I continued on I realized it was a good fit.

What do you know now that you would tell yourself then?

It’s a learning process, every day you’re learning something new, so if you’re not open to that you’re not in the right profession. I’ve been in this job for 13 years and I learn something new every single day I’m here — drugs are changing, treatment is changing, diseases are becoming more chronic versus acute and people are living longer. You have to know a lot and if you’re not willing to do that it is not the profession for you.

Amber Claussen

Why did you become a nurse?

I wanted to become a nurse since I was in 2nd grade.

What happened in 2nd grade?

I had an aunt that was a nurse and she kind of inspired me to be a nurse.

What was it about her that you looked up to?

All my aunts and uncles are close to us so I saw just saw what she was doing and liked it.

Why have you continued to want to be a nurse?

Because I love taking care of my patients. It gives you a sense of well being, they make you feel good for things you do for them and you try and help them. Especially with our cancer patients you try and help them try and have the best experience in a bad situation.

What would Amber now tell Amber in 2nd grade that wanted to become a nurse?

Good job, you picked the right thing. I wouldn’t change being a nurse ever, especially an oncology nurse. It makes me teary-eyed thinking about it.

Katie Browne

Why did you want to become a nurse?

I actually wanted to be an OB nurse, I had my son early in life. I had a seizure and I was in ICU for like a week and I almost died. The nurses were so nice to me and I didn’t want to be a nurse before that.

When I heard people say they wanted to be a nurse I would think ‘why would you ever want to do that?’ Because I thought all they did was hand doctors scissors. All through high school that was my impression and thought it was the stupidest thing.

But (the nurses there) really helped me a lot because I couldn’t take care of my baby so I felt horrible but the nurses there were really comforting. So I went to school and wanted to be an OB nurse with the goal of being a midwife and I started nursing school. I started as a nursing assistant and they said you can work on cardiology or oncology. At that point I really didn’t even know but oncology sounded more interesting than cardiology and then I started on the oncology unit when I was 19 and I just stayed in oncology ever since.

You can really make a big impact in people’s lives so that is what I like. I wouldn’t change anything (about becoming a nurse practitioner.)

So it was that experience in the hospital and seeing the nurses?

Yes, they were comforting me. I felt like a failure because I couldn’t take care of my baby and they were just letting me know it was okay. They just gave me hope that I would be able to and they just made me feel better about the whole thing. My family was very supportive too but having them there to let me know things were going to be okay and that I didn’t do anything wrong. It was pretty profound.

So it changed you?

Yes, it definitely did.

Anything else?

That’s really what did it, I still love pregnant people and stuff like that too but I never wanted to leave oncology either. You develop deep connections with people and they teach you a lot. You just build really close relationships and it changes your whole perspective on how you view your own life and what is important.