Lots To Live For, Inc. is Dedicated to Delivering Comfort During Cancer

Lots To Live For, Inc. is a curated collection of cancer resources dedicated to delivering comfort to individuals who are battling the unpleasant and uncomfortable side effects of chemotherapy and radiation.

The Daily Voice recently wrote an article describing the inspiration for the launch of Lots To Live For, Inc. and the most popular products sold on the website.

Lots to Live For was created by Margot Malin as a loving tribute to her mother and grandmother, who both fought cancer so bravely. As a firsthand witness to the debilitating effects that their treatments took on her relatives, Margot saw the need for personal care products that would comfort cancer patients during a difficult time.

"Malin's dream was to create a one-stop shopping site for products that would reduce and relieve the side effects of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery."

 “Since 2000, there have been so many products introduced to help cancer patients,” Malin said. “A lot of them have been created by individuals who have gone through treatment.”

Products sold reduce and relieve side effects in a variety of categories including: skin care, radiation burn care, oral care, hair care and nutrition. There are also many curated thoughtful gifts which are both thoughtful and useful, and certainly welcomed by the recipients.

To read the full article in the Daily Voice: click here.  
Upper Saddle River Woman Sells Products That Comfort Cancer Patients

To shop for products on the Lots To Live For website: click here.

Relief: Comfort Slings Help Relieve Abrasions and Dermatitis Beneath The Breast

by Margot Malin, CEO and Founder of Lots To Live For, Inc.

Patients who are undergoing radiation therapy on the underside of their breasts may develop radiation dermatitis, painful sores, and even weepy lesions in the skin folds beneath their breasts. The inflammation can be worsened by excessive perspiration and the chafing resulting from skin-to-skin contact. Once these side effects occur the patient experiences significant discomfort.

Relief: A new product called the ComfortSling(R) can help to improve comfort and prevent the continuing abrasion or fold over effect. The Breast Comfort Sling allows the breast to rest on a soft cushion giving freer air circulation while wicking away perspiration to keep the sore area dry. The straps are adjustable so there is no pressure on the neck or shoulder, or on the sore areas beneath the breast. The cushion provides a comfort barrier between the breast and the skin beneath it to prevent excessive chafing, and the antimicrobial material discourages bacteria growth.

The Slings are available in either a single sling, or a double sling.
The Single Sling: Women have found that wearing the Breast Comfort Single Sling from the onset of radiotherapy, even before any side effects have begun to appear, is the most effective way to minimize uncomfortable side effects to the skin. Wearing the sling as many hours as possible throughout the day, especially when sleeping, is most effective.
The Double Sling:  Women with large breasts often suffer yeast infections, skin rashes, fungus and other irritations due to excessive perspiration and poor circulation under their breasts. The moisture irritates the skin and the area becomes further inflamed as the breast tends to rub against the skin beneath it. The ComfortSling^® Double-Sling is an ideal solution.

The fabric for the Breast ComfortSlings and Pads was specially selected because it is very soft and has both wicking and antimicrobial qualities. The straps are soft enough to be comfortable yet firm enough to hold their shape when worn across the shoulders. The slings stay in place, yet they are loose enough to avoid pressure and constriction across the neck and under the breast.

Breast ComfortSlings and Pads were developed by Elizabeth Silver during her radiation oncology treatment and they proved so effective that her radiologist and oncologist were amazed at the excellent condition of her skin during her treatment. In fact, it was they who recommended that she begin to market the slings so that more women could benefit from the relief they provided.

Patients have found amazing relief from using the products, as described in these reviews: 

Life Saver!!

Posted on May 12th 2016

My cousin was in her 20th treatment of radiation and we started noticing that the crease under her left breast was raw and peeling to the point of extreme pain. I was desperately searching for some type of treatment that would help and I did. This breast sling is the best . It allowed her breast to heel so much faster. If anyone is going to be starting radiation, please, please get this before starting treatment! It will help sooooo much! 

Posted on May 31, 2016

Using the breast comfort sling and the pads, combined with clotrimazole (an antifungal cream found in lortimin AF athletes foot cream), I have managed to heal a 1/2 dollar sized very painful and itchy irritation under my breast. It has been there for months and within 5 days of using the pads and cream it has greatly reduced and virtually healed.

This post is a condensed version of  Comfort Slings Help Relieve Soreness and Abrasion Beneath the Breasts published on the Breast Cancer Yoga Blog in December 2015.

Tips To Help You Soothe Radiation Burns from Britta Aragon, founder of CV Skinlabs

by Britta Aragon

This is a condensed version of the complete post which you can access:
http://blog.lotstolivefor.com/2013/10/02/tips-to-help-you-soothe-radiation-burns-from-cv-skinlabs/

Ask anyone who's been through radiation treatments, and they'll tell you - one of the most difficult things to deal with are the burns.  Radiation kills cancer cells, but on its way into the body to attack the tumor, it can also damage skin cells.  Depending on the intensity or strength of the beam and how many sessions you have, the burns may range from minor redness and swelling, like a sunburn, to more sever blistering, peeling and flaking.

When treating these types of burns, the standard, over-the-counter petroleum-based products just won't cut it! Petroleum covers the skin, but does noting to nourish or heal it, and can actually contribute to more dryness over the long term.  Chemical preservatives and fragrances can also contribute to the irritation and pain.

Instead, what you need when treating radiation burns is:
A. Something to cool it down
B. Something to heal it
C. Something to deeply moisturize

In this blog post Britta Aragon, cancer survivor, shares tips for reducing the effects of radiation on the skin. Britta shares her skin care knowledge as a make up artist and esthetician.  "My goal is to encourage people to be extra kind to their bodies, minds and souls during what can be a very difficult time...Self-care is where the healing starts."

Using her expertise, Britta has developed the CV Skinlabs product line especially for sensitive skin.  With careful attention paid to be sure that all ingredients are natural and soothing, CV Skinlabs products deliver beauty and safety without compromise.

There are currently 4 products in the CV Skinlabs product line (shown above) and Britta explains how they can help you relive the symptoms of radiation burns including itch, radiation bumps and radiation rash with these fabulous products that she has developed.

1. Rescue & Relief Spray - brings cooling relief to dry, itchy, burning and irritated skin
2. Body Repair Lotion - hydrates dry skin and restores radiance, relieves dry itcy skin
3. Restorative Skin Balm - advanced therapy for severely dry and cracked skin, helps scars
4. Calming Moisture for Face, Neck and Scalp - helps to immediately calm, hydrate & nourish chronically dry and flushed skin while returning radiance.

Read the full blog post: http://blog.lotstolivefor.com/2013/10/02/tips-to-help-you-soothe-radiation-burns-from-cv-skinlabs/

Please enter our FACEBOOK RAFFLE to win a FREE CV SKINLABS RESCUE & RELIEF SPRAY.  Please "LIKE" one of the raffle announcement posts, and be sure you "LIKE" our facebook page to enter. You can find our facebook page www.facebook.com/LotsToLiveFor by clicking here

Skin and Personal Care Products for Cancer Patients

Alra Care Package - Cancer Gift

Alra Therapy Lotion for skin care during radiation therapy, Alra Non-Metallic Deodorant and Alra Shampoo

ALRA (short for "all-radiation") Therapy Lotion was the first lotion to specifically address the skin care needs of individuals undergoing radiation therapy. Developed in 1987 by Cosmetic Chemist Henry Ott, in collaboration with Dr. Ronald W. Thompson, F.A.C.R., Director of Radiation Therapy at Cedars-Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA, ALRA Therapy Lotion continues to be widely used and recommended in the nations’ finest cancer treatment centers. For more information about Alra Therapy Lotion including a list of ingredients:
http://www.LotsToLivefor.com/products/therapy-lotion

Responding to requests of oncology professionals, two other ALRA formulations were added to address other side effects of cancer treatment: ALRA Mild Conditioning Shampoo for gentle scalp and hair cleansing during chemotherapy and ALRA Non-Metallic Deodorant, formulated without any metallic salts that can interfere with radiation treatments.

Over 2.5 million Americans have some degree of alopecia, and though there are many causes, hair loss is often the most visible aspect of cancer treatment. Important as the right wigs and head coverings may be, taking extra care of the scalp with a special chemotherapy shampoo is important at this challenging time. And that is exactly why Alra Mild Conditioning Shampoo was created.
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As hair loss begins, the scalp is often dry, itching, irritated, and tender. Sensitivity to fragrances is common. Alra Mild Conditioning Shampoo is free of any chemical fragrances, artificial color, or drying additives. Natural Oil of Rosemary, along with 100% Aloe Vera Gel help to replenish the scalp.

Oncology nurses came to the developers of Alra in the early 1990’s with a request for a deodorant without aluminum for breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy treatments. Why? Because metallic ions have been shown to accelerate, intensify, or misdirect the treatment rays, with potential adverse results. The solution? Alra Non-Metallic Deodorant.

More recently, fears and questions have arisen about the possible linking of antiperspirants and deodorants with subsequent development of breast cancer and/or Alzheimer’s. Research continues with no conclusive evidence to support this hypothesis.

For these reasons, plus underarm irritation and allergic reactions, women now seek a natural deodorant that is radiation safe and does not contain metallic ions. It is vital to read the ingredient listing and avoid products that are labeled as mineral salts or “crystals” (as they contain alum (potassium aluminum sulfate), as well as those containing aluminum and zirconium. All contain metallic ions.

Be safe, select Alra Non-Metallic Deodorant.


All three ALRA products are aloe-vera based, with high levels of efficacy, and contain no alcohol, added colors or fragrance.
http://www.LotsToLiveFor.com/category/alra

You can purchase all 3 products as a cancer gift in an attractive gift bag as shown above by clicking here:
 http://www.lotstolivefor.com/alra-care-package

Introduced nationally at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) in 1988; ALRA Therapy Lotion has been evaluated favorably and recommended by oncologists, oncology nurses and radiation therapists for over twenty years.

ALRA Care products are available without a prescription. ALRA has helped thousands of cancer patients worldwide, as they cope with the side effects of their treatment.

The information in this posting is intended to be helpful and educational, but is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You can print detailed information about the products, including ingredients, and show them to your medical practitioner.