Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs), also known as carcinoids, are tumors derived from neuroendocrine cells that can occur anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract. It is a rare type of tumor that can form in the pancreas or in other parts of the gastrointestinal tract, including the stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, and appendix.
Despite new promising treatment therapies for Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs), advanced metastatic GEP-NETs continues to be an incurable disease with poor prognosis.
Therefore if you have gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine, adopting healthy habits can help you stay well during disease treatment since you have to live with and treat GEP-NETs throughout your lifetime.
Healthy lifestyles to adopt in treating GEP-NETs
- Consult your medical doctor. To have a stable treatment procedure, see a medical oncologist or a surgeon or an interventional radiologist or an endocrinologist or a cardiologist for diagnosis and treatment. This is because treatment for GEP-NETs is individualized and a careful consultation would lead to a perfect treatment option.
- Stay active. Experts assert that a drastic loss in normal muscle-density can cause an increase in GEP-NETs mortality rate. Therefore it means to stay healthy while living with GEP-NETs, you must prevent muscle loss by subscribing to exercise routines like walking, stretching and light biking.
- Quit smoking and avoid alcohol. While there is no direct link between alcohol and neuroendocrine tumor development, smoking is known to cause tumors including GEP-NETs. However, researchers warn that alcohol can exacerbate symptoms, especially for people who have functional tumors — tumors that produce hormones. So it’s advisable you avoid both alcohol and cigarettes.
- Have a regular sleep schedule. Quality sleep provides several health benefits like improved cognitive function, mood, overall health. To enhance your sleep, establish a relaxing bedtime routine and stick to a consistent sleep schedule. If your GEP-NETs symptoms or treatments are disrupting your sleep, talk to your primary healthcare provider.