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World-Renowned Chef and Cancer Survivor Biba Caggiano Visits Long Island Hospitals to Help Cancer Patients Find Strength for Living

Posted on: Thursday, 2 June 2005, 09:00 CDT

MANHASSET and NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y., June 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Culinary expert, restauranteur and cancer survivor Biba Caggiano is leading a new educational program -- Strength for Living -- focused on the important role nutrition can play for cancer patients. Biba will be traveling the nation, stopping first to celebrate Cancer Survivors Day at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset on June 4 and then at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park on June 5, where she will share her experiences with cancer, offer important nutritional tips and demonstrate some of her favorite recipes, designed to meet the unique needs of those undergoing chemotherapy treatment. The Strength for Living program is sponsored by Ortho Biotech Products, L.P., and is designed to help cancer patients get back to enjoying the activities of everyday life.

Over the past decade, Long Island has been identified as a "cancer cluster" region. Cancer rates among women in Long Island are considered to be among the highest in the United States. Many of these cancer patients will go through chemotherapy treatment. Side effects of chemotherapy can make it difficult for cancer patients to follow life's most basic routines. Nausea, loss of appetite and altered ability to taste can make getting proper nutrition a daily challenge. But other side effects pose challenges, as well.

Anemia, one side effect of chemotherapy, affects up to two-thirds of all chemotherapy patients leaving them feeling tired, weak or dizzy. Many patients don't mention these symptoms of fatigue to their doctors, because they expect to be tired while undergoing chemotherapy and are unaware that treatments are available. Strength for Living is a resource designed to help cancer patients overcome challenges, such as anemia, and return to doing the things they love.

"Like so many cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, I was extremely weak from anemia. I took control of the situation, spoke to my doctor and, with the help of PROCRIT(R) (Epoetin alfa), I was able to feel better and get back to what's important to me -- cooking and running my restaurant," explained Biba.* "I want to encourage other people who are facing chemotherapy to take back as much of their lives as possible -- even with something as simple as being able to enjoy meals with their loved ones."

Nutrition is a key element in helping patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment feel better, both physically and mentally. A new survey of 250 cancer patients conducted by a major cancer service organization in New York City found that nearly two-thirds, or 65.6 percent of patients undergoing chemotherapy believed that proper nutrition was an important source of strength in coping with cancer and cancer treatments.

"Patients undergoing chemotherapy often face challenges getting proper nutrition due to the loss of appetite and taste, and development of mouth sores," explained Biba's husband, Vincent Caggiano, M.D., F.A.C.P., medical oncologist. "The Strength for Living program addresses nutrition, a quality of life issue that is essential to many cancer patients, just as it was for Biba."

For more information about Strength for Living, along with Biba's recipes, or to gain access to resources for newly diagnosed cancer patients and their caregivers, please visit http://www.cancer.com/ .

Tips on Nutrition

Following are nutritional tips addressing common side effects experienced by patients undergoing cancer treatment.

For those prone to nausea or vomiting:

-- Sip apple juice, grape juice or cool, lightly carbonated, caffeine-

free beverages.

-- Eat five or six little meals throughout the day, making sure to eat

slowly and chew your food well.

-- Stay away from sweet, spicy, fatty, fried or strong-smelling foods.

-- Relax and stay seated for an hour after meals to allow foods to

settle.

-- Avoid negative association with favorite foods by not eating them

immediately following treatment.

For those who develop throat and mouth sores:

-- Eat soft foods such as milkshakes, bananas, mashed potatoes, scrambled

eggs and yogurt.

-- Avoid acidic, spicy or salty foods, and rough foods such as popcorn,

toast and raw vegetables.

For those whose taste sensations change:

-- Marinate meats and cook with herbs to enhance flavors.

-- Add sauces to dishes -- this will also make food easier to chew.

-- Rinse your mouth with water prior to meals.

For those who experience loss of appetite:

-- Eat in pleasant settings, with friends or in front of the TV as a

distraction.

-- Dress up food with garnishes or by serving it on favorite dishes.

-- Have snacks handy in case hunger develops between meals.

-- Arrange a schedule for your meals and snacks -- and keep to it even

when not hungry.

As always, side effects from treatments and approaches to nutrition should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

About the Survey

A major cancer service organization in New York City conducted telephone and online interviews with 250 cancer patients aged 18 years and older from across the country who have undergone treatment with chemotherapy. Interviews were conducted from February 22 through March 18, 2005. For results based on a sample of this size, the error attributed to sampling and other random effects is approximately +/- 5.7 points.

About PROCRIT(R)

PROCRIT (Epoetin alfa) helps stimulate red blood cell production and can be prescribed for the treatment of chemotherapy-related anemia in patients with most types of cancer. Anemia is a condition where there are not enough red blood cells. When more red blood cells are produced, more oxygen can be carried through the body to supply the cells with a necessary source of energy.

PROCRIT is available by prescription only and is injected by doctors or nurses. PROCRIT is not for patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure. High blood pressure has been noted rarely in cancer patients treated with PROCRIT, and blood pressure should be monitored carefully. Drugs like PROCRIT may increase the risk of blood clots. In studies, the most common side effects included fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, edema, shortness of breath, tingling and upper respiratory infection.

For full Prescribing Information, please visit: http://procrit.com/common/prescribing_information/PROCRIT/PDF/ProcritBooklet.p df.

About Ortho Biotech Products, L.P.

In 1990, Ortho Biotech Products, L.P. was established in Raritan, N.J. Since that time, Ortho Biotech and its worldwide affiliates have earned a global reputation for researching, manufacturing and marketing innovative products that enhance patients' health. Ortho Biotech, located in Bridgewater, N.J., is an established market leader in Epoetin alfa therapy for anemia management across multiple indications and focuses its research and marketing efforts in four clinical areas: oncology, nephrology, immunology and surgery.

* Individual treatment results may vary.

Ortho Biotech Products, L.P.

CONTACT: Greg Panico of Ortho Biotech Products, L.P., +1-908-541-4062,or cell, +1-908-240-2011, gpanico1@gpcus.jnj.com; Gina DeCandia, Ogilvy PublicRelations Worldwide, +1-212-880-5317, or cell, +1-917-541-0484,gina.decandia@ogilvypr.com

Web Site: http://www.cancer.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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