Aids and devices for cancer patients

ALSO KNOWN AS: Prostheses, breast forms, positioning aids, nutritional aids, braces, canes, walkers, wheelchairs, aromatherapy products, music therapy products

DEFINITION: Aids and devices for cancer patients are designed to help a person live a more comfortable and enjoyable life in spite of the side effects of cancer treatment. Some aids and devices help temporarily hide the effects of a cancer treatment, while others can improve mobility or provide comfort permanently.

Comfort aids and devices: A number of products can help cancer patients with some of the physical and emotional discomfort they may experience because of their cancer treatment.

Specialty positioning pillows and foam wedges can help patients on bed rest prevent bedsores. In addition, special seat cushions for wheelchair users can help distribute their weight evenly over a large area, preventing sores and easing discomfort. These cushions tend to be filled with either water or gel. Water-filled products help decrease body temperature, and gel-filled help maintain body temperature.

A simple straw can make drinking beverages easier for cancer patients with sores in the mouth. If dry mouth is a problem due to the side effects of medication or after the salivary glands have been removed or damaged by radiation, saliva substitute products can add moisture to a cancer patient’s mouth. A cool-mist humidifier can also help prevent dry mouth by moistening the air within a room. Note that it is important to keep the humidifier clean so that germs are not spread.

Another side effect of cancer treatment can be difficulty swallowing and keeping food down. To help people facing this situation get proper nutrition, there are thickening products available to add substance to liquefied foods. These products include gelatin, tapioca flour, cornstarch, commercial thickeners, puréed vegetables, instant potatoes, and baby cereal. There are also a number of liquid nutritional supplement drinks, many available at local grocery stores, that can provide needed nutrition when other types of food cannot be eaten.

Some cancer patients experience sun sensitivity. Sunscreen or protective clothing can help protect sensitive skin from the sun. Sunscreens can be found at drug and grocery stores, and a number of companies create clothing pants, shirts, hats, and gloves that have built-in sun protection.

For both men and women, making an extra effort to maintain personal grooming routines can be a way to maintain a positive attitude. Organizations such as the American Cancer Society provide classes that address special concerns cancer patients may have about their grooming and beauty routines (for example, how to deal with thinning hair).

Music can be a wonderful aid in lowering stress levels and helping cancer patients sleep better. It is also shown to reduce pain by increasing endorphins and boosting immunity. It is recommended that the music be sixty beats or fewer per minute to provide relaxation. Much classical music falls into this category. Many hospitals offer group music therapy sessions.

Aromatherapy may also help ease discomfort. Scents are available to help with all kinds of ailments, from pain and discomfort to lethargy. For example, lavender is a calming scent and can help ease anxiety or sleeplessness. Aromatherapy products and books explaining how to use scents can be found at many health food stores and online. Patients should check for any side effects or interactions with medical conditions before using a particular scent.

An inexpensive way that many cancer patients deal with their emotions is to keep a journal. Writing down their thoughts about their situation can be very therapeutic and make it easier to keep a positive outlook.

Prosthetic and cosmetic devices: A second category of aids and devices includes prosthetic body parts. Prostheses are available for a large number of body parts, and cancer patients should discuss with their doctors the options available to them for replacing amputated extremities. These products can help individuals regain mobility or provide cosmetic benefits. Braces, canes, walkers, and wheelchairs can improve mobility, whether used on their own or in combination with prosthetic limbs.

For breast cancer patients who have undergone a mastectomy or a lumpectomy, prostheses provide more than cosmetic benefits. They can provide protection and pain relief during healing, help maintain proper posture, and help prevent back and shoulder pain. Breast forms made of silicone or fiber can be inserted into a specially made mastectomy bra or worn next to the skin with a special adhesive. Cooling pads can also be inserted into bras to help relieve pain while the area heals. Specialty vests with flat panels can provide postradiation treatment comfort. In addition, special arm sleeves can be worn to help reduce swelling by providing graduated compression. Other cosmetic devices, such as breast covers and specialized bras, offer non-surgical, non-implant options for patients.

Cancer patients experiencing hair loss may want to try using a satin pillowcase to help minimize loss and to provide comfort to their sensitive scalps. Headscarves and wigs can be worn to hide hair loss. Sleep and swim caps are also available to protect remaining hair and minimize additional hair loss.

Additionally, cancer care can often impact overall dental health. Patients who suffer from dental deterioration due to cancer and patients who suffer oral cancer can receive prosthetic implants. While frequent and attentive dental care is necessary throughout a patient's treatment, implants are typically inserted once treatment is complete.

Prosthetics for pediatric cancer patients is challenging. For example, pediatric patients who suffer from bone tumors, such as Ewing sarcoma or osteosarcoma, often need multiple surgeries throughout their lives in order to keep up with their growing bodies. However, an available option for patients with tumors above the knee is an expandable endoprosthesis implant. Though patients may still require multiple surgeries depending on the age they are when they contract cancer, the implant will prolong the time between surgeries.

Cost and insurance coverage: Some comfort and prosthetic devices are covered by public and private insurance providers. Patients should contact the insurance company before purchasing an item to find out whether the device in question is covered and if any paperwork or special authorization is needed. Some companies may require a prescription from a physician and preauthorization before they will pay for a device. Other insurance companies ask patients to pay up front for an item and then be reimbursed.

If insurance does not cover a product and the patient cannot afford it, sometimes local cancer support agencies such as the American Cancer Society or CancerCare can help obtain the needed item or suggest other ways to pay for the item. Furthermore, many non-profits donate specialized equipment and devices for patients in need.

Bibliography

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Dotan, Amit, et al. “Expandable Endoprosthesis for Limb-Sparing Surgery in Children: Long-Term Results.” Journal of Children's Orthopaedics 4.5 (2010): 391-400. doi:10.1007/s11832-010-0270-x.

Garrison, Kevin S. It’s Just a Matter of Balance. Baltimore: Gateway Press, 2005. Print.

Gaynor, Mitchell L. The Healing Power of Sound: Recovery from Illness by Using Sound, Voice, and Music. Boulder: Shambhala, 2002. Print.

Kelly, Mary Olson. Number One Best Tools and Tips from the Trenches of Breast Cancer. Austin: Books Beyond Borders, 2006. Print.

Klein, Karen. Mama Said There’d Be Days like This: A Twelve-Step Guide to Surviving a Mastectomy. Farmington: Variegate, 2001. Print.

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Steligo, Kathy. The Breast Reconstruction Guidebook: Issues and Answers from Research to Recovery. 3rd ed. Baltimore: John Hopkins UP, 2012. Print.

Wilson, A. Bennett, Jr. A Primer on Limb Prosthetics. Springfield: Thomas, 1998. Print.