Chronic myeloid leukemia is a type of cancer that develops in the blood or bone marrow, in which the body produces too many white blood cells. This disease is common among older adults and is rarely observed in children. Weakness, anemia, fever, and bone pain are some of the symptoms that develop over time. While there is no cure for this condition, one can manage its symptoms through treatment options, foods, and lifestyle changes.

Making healthier food choices
According to the American Institute of Cancer Research, two-thirds of the food in meals should be plant-based. Adding lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans is a great way to meet the nutritional requirements of the day. Further, plant-based foods are low in calories, and this helps in maintaining a healthy weight.

Green leafy vegetables: Spinach, broccoli, kale, and cabbage are cruciferous vegetables that are excellent sources of essential vitamins. The anti-inflammatory properties and other compounds in these vegetables are known to combat the inactive carcinogens in the body, which aid in the recovery process. Other leafy greens and vegetables like sweet potatoes, asparagus, and peas contain folate/folic acid and vitamin A, which can help create and repair the cells’ DNA structure. The vegetables should be properly cooked to ensure there are no raw or uncooked portions that could be difficult to digest and possibly lead to infections.
Whole fruits: Citrus fruits like oranges, tangerines, and grapefruits are rich in vitamin C, which supports the immune system. These fruits also act as antioxidants to protect the cells and aid in the wound healing process. Non-citrus fruits like mangos, cantaloupes, and strawberries contain vitamin A and B6, which help in improving organ function, support the body’s metabolism, aid in the formation of red blood cells, and generate energy for the body to work.
Whole grains: This would include foods like oats, quinoa, brown rice, buckwheat, whole grain pasta or bread, other millets, grains, and lentils. Whole grains are rich in fiber that supports bowel movement and digestion. They also help stabilize blood sugar in the body and get rid of the toxins in the gastrointestinal tract.
Seafood and lean meat: Lean beef, oysters, salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, anchovies, eggs, and organ meats are great sources of protein, vitamin B6, iron, selenium, and zinc. These nutrients are crucial for cancer recovery as they support the immune system and help heal wounds. Selenium, in particular, helps boost thyroid gland function and DNA production in the body. Further, proteins are essential building blocks of the muscles, constantly repairing and building tissues and keeping hormones and enzymes in check for healthy bodily functions.
Good fats: Foods like nuts, peanut butter, and vegetable oil are great sources of healthy fats and even vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant and helps protect against cell damage. It is also responsible for preventing blood clots by widening the blood vessels. The vitamin also strengthens the immune system, aiding in cancer recovery.

Adopting a better lifestyle
Certain practices can be incorporated into one’s daily routine to deal with chronic myeloid leukemia symptoms. A couple of simple measures are:

Maintain hygiene: People affected by the disease should practice caution and be consistent when it comes to hygiene and sanitation practices. Cancer patients have to be extra careful about germs, eating raw, uncooked food, and exposure to dirty objects in public places. Maintaining an infection-free environment is crucial as the immune system is already weak when affected by cancer. So any infection can further compromise one’s immunity.
Exercise regularly: Regular exercise can help the body build up stamina and strength to deal with the rigorous treatment. Exercising can help with emotional well-being while also increasing one’s energy levels and overall immunity.

Choosing the right treatment plan
Doctors can help you determine the right course of treatment based on the kind of cancer and severity of this illness. Some of the common options are:

Targeted therapy: In this treatment, specific cancer cells, proteins, and genes are identified that contribute to the growth of the disease. Then products like TASIGNA® and GLEEVEC® are used to target abnormal cells and block them. For chronic myeloid leukemia, treatment would involve the use of kinase inhibitors. The two common prescription treatments used are:
1. TASIGNA®: This is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that helps control chronic myeloid leukemia symptoms. The ingredients work by binding themselves to the proteins that are responsible for triggering the cancer growth and blocking signals from these proteins. This can slow or stop the growth of cancer cells.
2. GLEEVEC®: This is also a kinase inhibitor that prevents cancer cells from spreading throughout the body. According to research, this is a breakthrough treatment option that targets the disease at both the cellular and subcellular level.
Chemotherapy: This treatment option uses prescription options that either destroy the fast-growing cancer cells or stop them from spreading to the rest of the body. The treatment options can be taken orally or through veins or muscles so that the inhibitors in the bloodstream can then reach the cancer cells.
Stem cell transplant: High doses of chemotherapy can kill healthy cells, and a stem cell transplant can restore these cells. The stem cells, which are immature blood cells, are removed from the patient or a donor’s blood or bone marrow and are frozen and stored. After the chemotherapy is administered, these blood-forming stem cells are thawed and transferred to the bloodstream of the patient through an infusion.
Donor lymphocyte infusion: This procedure is conducted after a stem cell transplant. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cells that are obtained by a blood donor and infused into the patient’s bloodstream. These white blood cells then attack the cancer cells in the patient’s body.