How to Boost Your Immune System During Cancer Treatment

How to strengthen your immune system

Here are few ways to strengthen your immune system, these may include:

Eat healthy, nutritious foods

Eating a healthy, balanced diet is crucial in managing and maintaining a strong immune system during any major treatments. Foods that are rich in protein, minerals, and nutrients are highly essential to boosting the immune system. Vitamins such as A, C, and E have properties that often help to prevent cell damage, along with some essential nutrients like zinc and selenium that also improve the overall immune system. 

Each cancer patient's nutritional needs are different, especially when undergoing cancer treatment. If you are undergoing any treatments, talk to your oncologist and dietitian team to get your personalized diet plan to cope with the side effects of different types of cancer treatments.

Regular exercise

People practicing regular exercise would also get benefits for their physical and mental health. Following regular physical activities would help to boost the immune system even during their cancer treatments. Practicing exercise and physical activities would also help to stimulate the growth of immune cells and improve the ability to detect and fight against several diseases.

However, everyone’s physical needs are different, especially in cancer patients. Moderate, less intensified activities, including walking, cycling, and yoga, can also improve the overall immune system. Ask your doctor before starting any major physical activity while on any treatments and experiencing any side effects or having any physical limitations. 

Proper rest and sleep

If you are undergoing any type of cancer treatment, then you may need to get enough rest and sleep. This might help the patients recover from the side effects of cancer treatments. During treatments, getting adequate rest and sleep would help the body repair and regenerate some tissues, including the overall immune system of the body.

Some studies suggest that people who get low levels of sleep and rest would increase the risk of developing several infections and various diseases. Patients undergoing any type of cancer treatments might experience disrupted sleeping patterns, majorly due to any treatment side effects. 

Managing stress

Chronic stress often suppresses the overall immune system of the body, increases the risk of inflammation, and makes it harder for the body to fight against any type of infection and several diseases. It's necessary to find balance in managing stress during cancer treatment.

Consider following these ways to reduce stress:

• Breathing exercises
• Meditation
• Calming mind
• Spending time in the nature 
• Talking to close friends and family

Get preventive vaccinations

Getting preventive vaccines against cancer reduces the risk by targeting several viruses that cause the different types of cancers in people. There are two types of vaccines used to prevent cancers; these may include the HPV vaccine and the hepatitis B vaccine. 

Avoid smoking and use of tobacco products

Smoking and the use of tobacco products can be considered the main risk factors for the development of cancer in people. These can cause health issues such as respiratory issues and autoimmune diseases. Quitting the habit of smoking helps to reduce the risk of several inflammations and lung infections and improves the overall immune system. 

Stop alcohol consumption

Excessive alcohol consumption can cause negative impacts to the body. Alcohol consumption can reduce the effectiveness of the immune system and also reduce the count of immune cells in the body. Limiting or stopping the consumption of alcohol can support the immune system and improve bodily functions.

How does the immune system fight cancer?

The immune system of a person is critical to fighting cancer cells. The immune system of the body is designed in such a way that it can fight any foreign cells that enter the body, like any bacterial and viral pathogens. However, cancer cells are often developed in the body when they undergo any type of genetic mutation, and the immune system won’t consider it a major threat.

However, when these cells start to grow in the body, it is because these cancer cells hide from the immune cells' signals, which are often used by the normal, healthy cells. Additionally, these cells often suppress the activity of the immune system and use it to grow the cancer cells in the body. These types of cells often overwhelm the immune system with their rapid growth of cells in the body.

The balance between the growth of cell mutations and the efficiency of the immune system to fight against cancer cells is not always recognized, because cancer cells often overwhelm the immune system with their rapid growth and multiplication in patients. This is mainly due to the DNA of cells along with the aggressive nature of cancer.

Consult Today

A strong immune system is crucial for fighting against several diseases, including cancer. However, cancer patients can improve their immune system, especially during a cancer treatment, by improving their quality of life and implementing some essential lifestyle changes.

At Oncare, we understand the role of the immune system and cancer, that’s why we provide proper guidance to how to increase the immune system before and after major treatments. We offer awareness of certain treatments including immunotherapy and its side effects.

If you or any loved ones of yours are diagnosed with cancer, then visit Oncare Cancer Center and book an appointment with our cancer specialists today. Get an estimated cost of your cancer treatments today!