MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'cancer care'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:13:53 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5182233&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=39025&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Feverythingchangesbook%2F%7E3%2FKHUrL5uVSuA%2Fsupport-group-tips By Kairol Rosenthal During my stint with cancer, I’ve attended both thyroid cancer and young adult cancer groups.  They ranged from excellent to abysmal.  Here are six tips I’ve come up with for making the most out of a support group experience. I’m curious if you’ve ever tried them: 1. Contact the leader first to see if it’s a good match for you. Ask if participants have a similar disease type or variation as you, what stage of their disease are they in, if the focus is emotional support or swapping practical medical coping strategies. If age, relationship status, race and ethnicity and other personal factors are important to you, ask about the demographics of the group. 2. Try a few meetings. Sometimes groups vary hugely from meeting to meeting depending on who is... Everything Changes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5182233 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:11:17 +0100 5182233 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5182205&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F08%2F30%2FCrizotinib-Approval-For-Lung-Cancer-Shows-Our-Miracles-Arent-Getting-Less-Expensive.aspx   Today I would like to share with you some thoughts on the topic of the costs of cancer treatments. It is the result of a moment on Saturday morning while, in the midst of listening to hurricane coverage on television, I was scanning the pages of my morning paper. There in the headlines was the comment that the Food and Drug Administration on Friday-presumably a bit later in the day, since the article was posted online at 8PM-approved a new drug called crizotinib (Xalkori®) for the treatment of lung cancer.   The news didn't get much attention, likely because it was overwhelmed by the hurricane. But at any other time, I suspect it would have been all over the media since this drug in fact represents a breakthrough treatment for some patients with lung cancer (more on th... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5182205 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 16:00:00 +0100 5182205 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5118646&cid=t_185181_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Findividualizing-the-fight-against-cancer%2F2011.08.10 You have heard it countless times, “The War on Cancer.” President Nixon announced it. The National Cancer Institute has spearheaded what TV and radio commercials always talk about as “the fight against cancer.” Singular. But we really need to start thinking about it as a plural.  Wars on cancer. Fights against cancer. Taking it one step further, we need to see each person’s fight as an individual battle.  Not just individualized to the patient’s spirit or age or sense of hope, but individualized to his or her particular biology, matched up with the specific cancer and available treatments. That is the nature of “personalized medicine” applied to cancer. We’ve been talking about it for a few years around here, but what’s exciting now is that even more super smart peopl... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5118646 Wed, 10 Aug 2011 18:00:06 +0100 5118646 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5077959&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F07%2F28%2FA-Walk-Down-A-Country-Road-A-Church-In-The-Woods-A-Lesson-About-Life.aspx It was a day not unlike other days my wife and I have spent at our home in North Georgia. It was a bit warm, sunny and otherwise reasonably comfortable. The day itself was a bit special, because we were there to take a quiet weekend interlude to celebrate our birthdays. We were glad to have some much needed time together to get away from all the tumult of our everyday lives and basically just relax, to do some of the things that we wanted to do.   We decided to take one of our favorite walks, down a gravel county road, much of it by a river that is near our home. In order to extend the walk to make it five miles when we have the time--like we did today--we took an extra "loop" which goes to a small wooden church tucked deep in the woods.   The sign outside the church says it was ... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5077959 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 13:55:00 +0100 5077959 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4984637&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F06%2F29%2FFDA-Advisors-Vote-Unanimously-That-Avastin-Approval-Should-Be-Withdrawn-And-You-Could-Hear-The-Pain.aspx The votes are in, and the Food and Drug Administration's Advisory Committee said unanimously that the approval of Avastin (bevacizumab) for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer should be withdrawn.   The decision did not go down quietly, with women loudly voicing their disagreement, and one saying that this shouldn't be happening in the United States of America. I could not sit there and hear the cries without feeling their pain and anguish.   But the FDA advisors were very clear in their assessment: despite treating thousands of women, there was no group of women who appeared to benefit from the drug.  The side effects are real and the potential harms significant, and to have the drug remain on the market could mean that many  women would continue to be... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4984637 Wed, 29 Jun 2011 20:25:00 +0100 4984637 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4976138&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F06%2F28%2FThe-FDAs-Decision-to-Remove-Approval-for-Avastin-in-Metastatic-Breast-Cancer-is-Caught-Between-Data-and-Emotion.aspx I attended a hearing today held by the Food and Drug Administration outside of Washington DC on the question of whether or not Avastin® (bevacizumab) should retain approval for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.  As one might expect, the experience ran the gamut from deeply felt emotions to cold hard statistics.   The presentations by patients and physicians for the most part opposed the FDA decision to remove the breast cancer indication, while an occasional person supported the FDA based on their interpretation of the data.  For the patients and their supporters, it was the reality that many of them were alive and well with few symptoms, which they and their physicians attributed to the fact that Avastin® had a significant treatment benefit for their breast... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4976138 Tue, 28 Jun 2011 20:58:00 +0100 4976138 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4953272&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F06%2F17%2FCancer-Facts-and-Figures-2011-Poverty-is-a-Carcinogen-Does-Anyone-Care.aspx "Poverty is a carcinogen."   Those were the words of Dr. Samuel Broder when he was director of the National Cancer Institute in 1989.     As amply documented in the annual "Cancer Facts and Figures 2011" released today by the American Cancer Society, cancer shows that poverty remains one of the most potent a carcinogen-rivaling tobacco and obesity-as we have ever seen.   We have heard lots and lots about how cell phones and Styrofoam cause cancer.  But do you hear anyone talking about the huge impact of poverty and limited education on cancer?   If you don't hear anything about a true carcinogen that statistics show causes 37% of the deaths from cancer in people between the ages of 27 and 64, then maybe you have the answer to a very important question: If we a... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4953272 Fri, 17 Jun 2011 16:40:00 +0100 4953272 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934722&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F06%2F15%2FHow-Many-Lives-and-24-Could-Be-Saved-If-Your-State-Had-Smoke-free-Air.aspx $10.28   That is a number I want you to think about.  And as you think about it, consider the implications for your health, your wallet and your state budget.   $10.28 is the amount of money it costs for the health and economic consequences of smoking a pack of cigarettes.  Yes, that's right: our economy and our health care gets dinged $10.28 for each pack that someone smokes, every day, 365 days a year, for however many years.  That's a lot of money.   Who pays that cost?   We all pay those costs in salaries and wages (the money that is lost in productivity, health insurance premiums, etc) that we would otherwise have for investment in business or improved wages for workers.  We all pay those costs in higher taxes it costs our state and federal gove... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934722 Wed, 15 Jun 2011 18:38:00 +0100 4934722 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911767&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F06%2F08%2FASCO-2011-Is-A-Wrap-Along-With-Redemption-Blisterwalks-And-Whether-I-Will-Remember-The-Hashtags.aspx I am on the plane home from the 2011 American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting trying to figure out the best way to write a "wrap up" blog about my sense of what I learned and saw in Chicago over the past 4 days.   I wish I could tell you all the highlights of all the new studies and all of the exciting breakthroughs, but I can't.  Realistically is it impossible to attend all the sessions, read all of the thousands of abstracts and view the additional thousands of posters that are presented at this meeting.  There is so much information that trying to get one's arms around even a fraction of what is available is a monstrous effort.   I will leave it to others to write the headlines and the stories about what they think the latest and greatest research and/or ... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911767 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 10:48:00 +0100 4911767 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4902630&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F06%2F06%2FThe-Genomic-Era-We-Have-Reached-A-New-Tipping-Point-In-Cancer-Research-And-Treatment.aspx I don't often write blogs about articles that appear in newspapers, but in this case I am going to make an exception for today's excellent front page story in the Wall Street Journal by Ron Winslow discussing the coming of age of genetics and genomics in diagnosing, treating and predicting the behavior of the disease we now know as cancer.   But even though Mr. Winslow may have pre-empted the thought that for me the seminal theme of this year's annual ASCO meeting in Chicago was related to the impact of genetics on cancer research and treatment, his well-written "scoop" won't prevent me from weighing in with my opinion that this year represents another one of those seldom moments when we reach a tipping point in cancer research and the application of that research to the diagnosis and... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4902630 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 21:37:00 +0100 4902630 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4902631&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F06%2F05%2FImportant-News-on-the-Treatment-of-Advanced-Melanoma-The-Cancer-That-Gives-Cancer-a-Bad-Name.aspx This study started in January of 2010.  By January of 2011, the researchers determined that the drug was so effective that they stopped the study and offered everyone the new drug.  By June of 2011, the results are simultaneously reported today at ASCO and in the New England Journal of Medicine.  And there is a possibility that the drug may be approved by the FDA for the treatment of advanced melanoma before the end of 2011.   That may not mean much to you, but it means a lot to me.  It means that this drug was so effective so quickly in so many patients that the results were almost immediately evident to those participating in the clinical trial.   I don't keep a record of these sorts of things, but I suspect the speed of "start to finish" to prove significan... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4902631 Sun, 05 Jun 2011 21:47:00 +0100 4902631 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4902632&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F06%2F04%2FElegant-Research-And-Collaboration-In-The-Lab-And-The-Clinic-Can-Make-A-Difference-The-Example-Of-Multiple-Myeloma.aspx So this is June, I am in Chicago and that can mean only one thing: it's time for the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, a gathering attended by tens of thousands of physicians, health professionals and exhibitors from around the world.   It's also the time of the year when there are many reports of cancer breakthroughs, some of which will stand the test of time and others which will never get traction in the rapidly expanding world of cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.   I just attended a lecture which brought home to me once again that when we focus our science and our efforts on tackling the scourge of cancer, we truly can make some significant progress.  When you break down the barriers, collaborate among experts, and ignore the boundaries, you... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4902632 Sat, 04 Jun 2011 18:40:00 +0100 4902632 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4753921&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F04%2F26%2FThe-Coach-And-The-Critic-Blog-Comes-To-Life-Online-A-Discussion-About-Caregivers-That-I-Will-Never-Forget.aspx On March 11 I wrote a blog about caregivers.  That blog ("The Coach And The Critic: Stories Of Caregivers Where 'Kill Me' Is Not An Option") focused on a session I had attended at the annual meeting of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network devoted to caregivers.  But the impact of that experience was far greater than I could ever hope to capture in my writing that day.   Now, the panel is available online for you to see for yourself.  It has been posted on the NCCN website in two different formats: in one, you can see the entire session which runs for a considerable period of time.  In the other, it has been broken into shorter segments around a specific question or topic of discussion.   For me, it's a no-brainer: watching the whole sh... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4753921 Tue, 26 Apr 2011 17:48:00 +0100 4753921 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4658579&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F03%2F30%2FMedicare-Decides-To-Pay-For-Provenge-Leaving-The-Battle-Over-Cost-And-Value-To-Be-Fought-Another-Day.aspx I bet there was a huge collective sigh of relief about the land among men with prostate cancer, their families, their physicians and especially the company involved when the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)-which runs the Medicare program-announced their decision this afternoon to cover the new cancer immunotherapy treatment for advanced prostate cancer, called Provenge®, under Medicare.   The stakes are huge: I suspect the market (and cost to Medicare) will run into potentially billions of dollars, yet the benefits for all of that money at first glance seem to be modest.   Ordinarily, the outcome in favor of approval would have been as close to certain as possible.    After all, this new treatment for prostate cancer did increase the survival o... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4658579 Wed, 30 Mar 2011 22:29:00 +0100 4658579 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4642898&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F03%2F28%2FDetermiNation-Its-All-About-The-Meaning-When-Winning-Isnt-Everything.aspx Sometimes you read something that just touches you in a special way.  That's what I thought after reading the note below, sent to me by Kimberly McAdams, a colleague at the American Cancer Society.   Kimberly's email found its way to me as a thank you and follow-up for her participation in the Society's recent DetermiNation event in New Orleans.  What made the note stand out was not that she was someone I (along with many others) supported financially and emotionally as she prepared for her marathon, but the points she touched on as she related how her participation impacted her life.  It wasn't just about raising money.  No, it was much more: about how she did this together with friends, how she won the race before she ever finished it (a theme I have echoed in an... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4642898 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 18:50:00 +0100 4642898 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4626988&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F03%2F23%2FOh-Where-Have-You-Gone-Vitamin-D.aspx Oh, vitamin D, where have ye gone?  We miss ya!!   That might be the refrain of many who have labored so long to promote awareness of vitamin D as a possible cancer prevention agent for the past number of years.    Not that the advocates have lost their faith-a recent article from Dr. Cedric Garland, who is an expert on vitamin D as a case in point-but a report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) has thrown a bit of a damper on the unbridled enthusiasm that vitamin D was the answer to cancer prevention that many have been seeking for some time.   No, the IOM did not endorse vitamin D as a cancer prevention agent.  And based on what they could say from the literature, the panel did endorse the concept that vitamin D is important for bone health, while blood te... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4626988 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 20:36:00 +0100 4626988 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4622472&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F03%2F22%2FTobacco-Tourism-Comes-Of-Age-In-Northeast-US.aspx Know what a "dilly" is?  The dictionary describes a "dilly" as something that is remarkable or extraordinary, as in size or quality.    The headline I came across the other day from the Associated Press story is in fact a dilly of a story.  It has some of my colleagues here at the American Cancer Society and our affiliated advocacy organization American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network more than a bit concerned: "NH, RI, NJ Buck Trend, Propose Cigarette Tax Cut."   Hard to believe, but after years of making progress in the fight against big tobacco and helping people to kick the habit or prevent young people from taking up smoking in the first place, now come proposals that would take us backwards, putting more people at risk for their lives all in the nam... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4622472 Tue, 22 Mar 2011 19:58:00 +0100 4622472 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4615377&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=39025&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Feverythingchangesbook%2F%7E3%2F0IrLIYCjmKw%2Faffordable-care-act-on-year-anniversary Everything Changes is throwing a 1-year-old birthday party for the Affordable Care Act. Don’t be embarrassed if you don’t know what’s in the bill – you’re not alone. Our big, broken health care system needed a fabulous new makeover; the changes are welcome, yet complex. I’ve made a cliff notes version of the main parts of the bill, broken into four bite-sized categories. I’ll be posting new categories all this week. Today’s is Freedom to Access Care. Please read, check back, and share the info with your friends and families so we can all better understand and celebrate our new healthcare freedoms and rights. PART 1:  FREEDOM TO ACCESS CARE! Caps No more caps. Insurers can’t set dollar limits on your lifetime benefits coverage, no exceptions. Annual benefits caps ... Everything Changes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4615377 Mon, 21 Mar 2011 18:44:06 +0100 4615377 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4575213&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F03%2F11%2FThe-Stories-Of-Cancer-When-Kill-Me-Is-Not-An-Option.aspx Cancer is emotional.  It is emotional for patients, families, friends and colleagues.  And there are few moments that are more touching to the human soul than hearing their stories recounting their journey, whether it is a success or unfortunately not.  These stories are frequently incredible accounts of human spirit.   Yesterday--in a room of 1200 cancer professionals at the annual meeting of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network in Hollywood, Florida--there were stories told that left no one untouched.  A moment when you could hear a pin drop, and see tears in the eyes of professionals who have seen so much heartache you would think they were used to it by now.   There was the football coach almost everyone knows who said that although he had been a lead... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4575213 Fri, 11 Mar 2011 16:18:00 +0100 4575213 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4570713&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F03%2F10%2FCancer-Survivors-Are-%28Fortunately%29-Very-Much-A-Part-Of-Our-Lives.aspx An article just released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in their weekly publication "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report" provides an assessment of the progress we have made in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.   Clearly, since 1971, we have made substantial advances in the cancer treatment.  We have become a larger and older nation.  We have pushed the threshold for the diagnosis of cancer, with breast and prostate cancers as leading examples.   The result is that we have many millions more people alive with cancer today than was ever the case in our history.   But with the progress also comes cautions about what the data means, and where our journey must go if we are to address some of the key issues reflected in these statistics. &nbsp... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4570713 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 18:40:00 +0100 4570713 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4460127&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F02%2F10%2FLess-Surgery-Is-Better-For-Some-Women-With-Breast-Cancer-But-Will-Their-Doctors-Be-Listening.aspx Conclusion:  Surgeons should biopsy and examine the sentinel node to find out if it is contains cancer, but then stop there no matter what.  There is no reason to go further.  In fact going further could actually be harmful to the patient.   That's great news.  But-as with everything we do in medicine-there are always cautions.  And it is those cautions that I think got short shrift in today's news coverage (at least what I saw).   So here are a couple of facts to consider if you or someone you know needs to have breast surgery for cancer:     The women in this study had cancers that were supposed to be less than 5 cm in diameter, or about 2 inches across in the largest dimension.     The women did not have any lymph nodes that coul... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4460127 Thu, 10 Feb 2011 17:05:00 +0100 4460127 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4436902&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F02%2F04%2FWorld-Cancer-Day-The-World-Does-Not-Have-To-Go-Where-We-Have-Already-Gone.aspx As I write this, I am en route to New York to participate in the lighting of the Empire State Building tonight in honor and recognition of World Cancer Day.   Spearheaded by the Union for International Cancer Control (better known as UICC)--an international organization devoted to reducing the burden of cancer worldwide--and vigorously supported by the American Cancer Society and many other notable organizations, people, and governments worldwide, World Cancer Day is intended to highlight the growing number of cancer cases and deaths around the world and the need for us to pay serious attention to the problem and institute measures to reduce that burden.   As part of World Cancer Day, the American Cancer Society is releasing the second edition of Global Cancer Facts and Figures, ... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4436902 Fri, 04 Feb 2011 17:39:00 +0100 4436902 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4424392&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F02%2F01%2FThe-Lines-Are-Drawn-The-Arguments-Continue-How-Safe-Is-Bevacizumab-%28Avastin%29.aspx An article in today's edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association is bound to raise a vigorous discussion-both pro and con-regarding the side effects and usefulness of one of the first targeted therapies approved to treat cancer.  Moreover, it is bound to add fuel to the firestorm that is developing over whether or not the drug bevacizumab-more commonly known as Avastin®--should or should not continue to be available in the United States for the treatment of advanced breast cancer.   Of particular interest to me are the comments of the expert who wrote the editorial which accompanied the report who directly calls out the question of whether bevacizumab adds value in cancer treatment while "exposing all treated patients, and society, to enormous costs and occasi... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4424392 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 21:09:00 +0100 4424392 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4405988&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F01%2F27%2FBreast-Implants-And-Lymphoma-How-Real-Is-the-Risk-And-Why-Cant-We-Get-The-Answer.aspx An announcement yesterday from the Food and Drug Administration highlights a couple of items that I think are important in terms of not only how we understand medical issues and medical risk, but also how technology will help us get better and quicker answers in the future.   On the medical side, the question is when does a risk become a risk?  On the information side, why aren't we able to harness the power of data to answer questions about risk more quickly and accurately?  And, if I have a device implanted in me, why can't someone get in contact with me?  After all, if my car has problem they send me a letter.  If something is put in my body--for the most part--forget about it.   Basically, the FDA issued an announcement that breast implants--both silicone... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4405988 Thu, 27 Jan 2011 14:32:00 +0100 4405988 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4360984&cid=t_185181_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fcancer-treatments-to-cost-158-billion-by-2020%2F2011.01.17 Medical expenditures for cancer are projected to reach at least $158 billion in today’s dollars by 2020. That’s a 27 percent increase, assuming that incidence and treatment costs remain at 2010 levels, according to a National Institutes of Health (NIH) analysis of growth and aging of the U.S. population. But new diagnostic tools and treatments could raise medical expenditures as high as $207 billion, assuming that the costs of new treatments increases 5 percent, said the researchers from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the NIH. The analysis appears in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Recent trends reflect a 2 percent annual increase in medical costs in the initial and final phases of care, which would boost projected 2020 costs to $173 billion.Projec... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4360984 Mon, 17 Jan 2011 20:00:00 +0100 4360984 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4305060&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F01%2F03%2FFinding-The-%28Cancer-Cell%29-Needle-In-the-Haystack-Will-It-Make-A-Difference-In-Cancer-Treatment-And-Early-Detection.aspx Well, it didn't take long to get into the New Year, did it?   There I was this morning starting my New Year right by getting exercise on my elliptical when I heard the announcement that Johnson & Johnson was partnering with researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital's cancer center and other major cancer centers to evaluate the potential of a new technology which can isolate single cancer cells circulating in the blood of patients with known cancers.   The news in itself is an impressive step forward in this type of research.  Being able to isolate a single cancer cell in a sample of blood is in a sense one of the holy grails of cancer research.  Scientists have been working diligently on developing these techniques for a number of years, and to now have a techno... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4305060 Mon, 03 Jan 2011 17:59:00 +0100 4305060 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4249203&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2010%2F12%2F10%2FFair-Is-Fair-There-Were-Some-Decent-Reports-Out-There-On-The-Breast-Cancer-Clinical-Trials.aspx My blog posted earlier today about the media coverage on the use of zoledronic acid (Zometa) as part of a treatment program to prevent breast cancer recurrence after primary treatment has garnered a bit of interest from some of my colleagues and friends.   So, in the interest of being fair, I want to emphasize that some of the reports (and there may be others; I don't have the time right now to do a comprehensive analysis) did at least acknowledge the issue, and some gave insights to suggest that the lead investigators reporting on the two studies had some different interpretations based on their respective studies. Here are links to a sample of reports that meet the test of at least acknowledging there is an issue about the conflicting conclusions of these two studies:   ht... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4249203 Fri, 10 Dec 2010 21:55:00 +0100 4249203 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4249204&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2010%2F12%2F10%2FOnce-Again-Much-Of-The-Media-Gets-It-Wrong-And-For-Breast-Cancer-Patients-That-Could-Be-Tragic.aspx This study was highlighted by the conference organizers, and featured at a news conference earlier in the day.     In this newer study, the researchers reported that when ZOL was added as a treatment in the adjuvant setting after primary breast cancer treatment it had no effect in reducing deaths from breast cancer.  There was some evidence that the drug may have helped post-menopausal women, but for pre-menopausal women there was no benefit whatsoever.   The press picked up the story, and when I last checked on Google there were over 190 reports on the research.  In one representative report, the lead researcher is quoted as saying, "It's a great drug if the cancer has already spread to the bones, but in this adjuvant (early, post surgery) setting we wouldn't give... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4249204 Fri, 10 Dec 2010 13:58:00 +0100 4249204 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4238095&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2010%2F12%2F07%2FElizabeth-Edwards.aspx The news just released that Elizabeth Edwards passed away this afternoon is sad for many, and our thoughts and prayers are with her family in their time of need.   As I have reflected on many times in this blog and in public comments, having cancer while living in public view is an especially difficult situation.  It was even more so for Ms. Edwards, as she had to contend with family issues that were the topic of intense public interest.   Through her journey, Ms. Edwards displayed courage and transparency about her illness, reminding women about the importance of getting screening mammograms and facing the news that her cancer had spread to her bones in a manner that showed the nation cancer is not something to hide or shy away from sharing.   Even her announcement ye... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4238095 Tue, 07 Dec 2010 23:14:00 +0100 4238095 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4134139&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2010%2F11%2F04%2FCT-Scans-Decrease-Lung-Cancer-Death-Rates-But-Look-Before-You-Leap.aspx This study does nothing to advance our treatment of lung cancer, which remains far from satisfactory.  And it does nothing for people who are not smokers and develop lung cancer.  And it doesn't say anything to us about people at lower risk of lung cancer, such as everyone who does not meet the criteria outlined for the study.   So if you are a younger person, who has "only" smoked a pack a day for 20 years, this study tells you nothing.  And if you are a non-smoker who works in a heavy smoking environment, such as a bar in some communities that don't have smoke-free laws, this study says nothing to you.   We also don't know from this study what the ideal screening program is for lung cancer.  Unlike colon cancer, where we have several studies and science that... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4134139 Thu, 04 Nov 2010 17:32:00 +0100 4134139 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4119523&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2010%2F10%2F28%2FDoes-PSA-Testing-Really-Reduce-The-Risk-Of-Prostate-Cancer-Recurrence.aspx This study suggests that routine screening for (prostate cancer) has resulted in a significant decrease in the risk of a patient developing metastatic disease within 10 years of treatment for prostate cancer after controlling for severity of disease."   OK, but does it?   There is a classic error here that needs to be pointed out, and frankly has me concerned about possible misrepresentation of these results.   You don't have to be a rocket scientist to see that there were a lot more men treated after 1992 than before 1992.  Not only that, but the "pre" group spanned 7 years, while the "post" PSA group covered only 4 years.    Do you need an explanation why treatment for prostate cancer accelerated after 1992?  Could it possibly be that PSA led to a lot m... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4119523 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 18:58:00 +0100 4119523 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3994234&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2010%2F09%2F22%2FWhat-Norway-Tells-Us-About-Screening-Mammograms-And-Access-To-Care.aspx An article and editorial in today's edition of the New England Journal of Medicine once again calls into question the true value of screening mammography.  And, despite the quality of the study there are still some serious questions that are likely not going to be quickly put to rest.   Mammography remains at the forefront of much discussion and contention among experts and much confusion among the public.  Now comes a new study on the subject which aims to determine how much of a role screening mammograms actually play in reducing deaths from breast cancer in women between the ages of 50 and 74.   To look at that question, the researchers examined the very thorough medical records of women in Norway who underwent screening mammography as part of a nationwide roll-out o... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3994234 Wed, 22 Sep 2010 21:14:00 +0100 3994234 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3973075&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2010%2F09%2F15%2FWe-Can-Run-But-We-Cant-Hide-Less-%28Or-No%29-Insurance-Means-More-Advanced-Prostate-Cancer-At-Diagnosis.aspx An article published this week in the medical journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention and written by my colleagues at the American Cancer Society sends me a message that we can run but we can't hide.    The topic of the research is the relationship between whether or not a man has adequate (or any) health insurance and how far advanced and aggressive his prostate cancer is at the time of diagnosis.    The message we seem to be running from is that we continue to bury our heads in the sand at the sad truth that people without adequate health insurance are somehow less worthy of having some decent level of medical care that might save their lives, especially when viewed through the cancer lense.     Perhaps it was no surprise that the researchers... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3973075 Wed, 15 Sep 2010 23:46:00 +0100 3973075 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3934593&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2010%2F09%2F04%2FA-Message-From-Curt.aspx "There's more to it of course, but I wanted to give the flavor of the choices you can be faced with way before you think you'll need to."   That, my friends, is a message from Curt.  Read it carefully, because it is a message from a young man who is facing a circumstance that none of us ever want to contemplate.  His need to make decisions about his life and death came upon him without warning at a time when no one would have ever expected this to happen.     I don't know Curt personally.  I have "met" him through a good friend and colleague, who in turn was concerned about his good friend who suddenly found himself facing his mortality.  Otis Brawley-who is the American Cancer Society's chief medical officer-and I were consulted several times to pr... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3934593 Sat, 04 Sep 2010 15:01:00 +0100 3934593 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3889267&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2010%2F08%2F20%2FThe-Unexpected-Benefits-Of-Palliative-Care.aspx This study shows that rediscovering the value of what we used to do before we were able to do what we can do is a lesson well worth relearning.  (Source: Dr. Len's Cancer Blog) Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3889267 Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:38:00 +0100 3889267 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3784453&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2010%2F07%2F23%2FTARGIT-Radiation-Revisited-Some-Further-Thoughts-On-This-Radiation-Treatment-For-Breast-Cancer.aspx In early June I appeared on a nationwide news show and in a very brief comment indicated that I thought a new approach to radiation therapy in the treatment of primary breast cancer was "not ready for prime time."  Subsequently, later in the month, I wrote a blog on the treatment-called TARGIT-where I further outlined my concerns.  My primary issue-among some other more technical matters--were that the results of the trial were being promoted to suggest that the treatment was "ready" for moving into clinical use.  I wasn't so certain.   During this period of time, I was contacted by someone affiliated with the company that manufacturers the machine used to deliver the radiation, and offered an opportunity to have a discussion with some of the researchers involved in the... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3784453 Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:27:00 +0100 3784453 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3772413&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2010%2F07%2F20%2FThe-FDA-and-Avastinc2ae-Breast-Cancer-Patients-Are-Thrown-Another-Curve-In-An-Ongoing-Saga.aspx The news this afternoon that an FDA advisory panel recommended removing approval for bevacizumab (Avastin®) as a treatment for advanced breast cancer is certainly going to be difficult for patients, their families, supporters and doctors alike.   The unfortunate reality is that despite earlier reports that this targeted therapy (which has been successful in treating a number of other cancers and works by inhibiting the growth of new blood vessels that feed cancer tumors) was successful in treating advanced breast cancer didn't hold up when studied in further clinical trials.   Bevacizumab in the treatment of breast cancer has followed a long, somewhat tortuous course beginning as early as 2005 with an announcement by the National Cancer Institute that the drug was successful ... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3772413 Tue, 20 Jul 2010 21:30:00 +0100 3772413 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3750225&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2010%2F07%2F13%2FCan-You-Really-Measure-The-Quality-Of-Cancer-Care.aspx How do you know if you or a loved one are getting quality cancer care?    That's an interesting question, although it isn't a new one.  I have been asked that question on a number of occasions and in several media interviews, and quite frankly it's difficult to answer.  In no small part because like many other things we do in medicine, true quality is difficult to measure with any certainty.   I was reminded of this dilemma last week in a posting by Gary Schwitzer (someone who is highly regarded in the medical media field) on his "Health News Review" blog .  He related the story originally published in the St. Paul Pioneer Press of a woman with leukemia who wanted to get her care at one university hospital, but was told by her insurer that... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3750225 Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:15:00 +0100 3750225 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3743672&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2010%2F07%2F11%2FA-Journey-For-Joe.aspx I am on one of those journeys today that no one wants to take, but in your heart you know you have to take.  It is a journey of remembrance for someone who is no longer with us, who succumbed at a too young age from cancer.  It is journey for someone who touched me and many others through is smile, his friendship and his commitments.   I can't say that I knew Joe and his beautiful wife for many years.  In fact, our relationship was too short, a couple of years in duration.  It began as many of mine do, during a luncheon meeting in a southwest Florida city where I had the opportunity to meet with a number of like-minded people to share with them news about the American Cancer Society and the research we support to reduce the burden and suffering from cancer.   ... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3743672 Sun, 11 Jul 2010 16:24:00 +0100 3743672 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3746686&cid=t_185181_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2F187949%2F Cancer Deaths Dropping: Death rates for cancer are on a constant downward slope, thanks to early detection, people quitting smoking, and better treatments. (via Web MD) Post from: BlissTree (Source: Healthbolt) Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3746686 Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:54:41 +0100 3746686 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3737211&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2010%2F07%2F08%2FGiving-Cancer-Patients-Bad-News-Too-Often-Not-Done-Well.aspx "You have cancer" are words that no one wants to hear. Yet, in the United States in 2010, the American Cancer Society estimates that about 1.5 million people will hear those words, and the impact on their lives and their families will be immense.   If there is good news, it's that there is a probability that 2 out of 3 people diagnosed with cancer in this country will survive their ordeal. The sad news, based on an article published online this week in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, is that too many of these folks will start their journey hearing those fateful words in a less than appropriate manner in a less than appropriate setting.   To me, that is not only dismaying, it's appalling. And if we physicians can't understand, empathize and even sympathize with our patients when... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3737211 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 18:07:00 +0100 3737211 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3737212&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2010%2F07%2F07%2FThe-2010-Statistics-Are-Out-And-767000-People-Have-Celebrated-More-Birthdays.aspx Every year the American Cancer Society provides a report that is one of the most widely quoted scientific articles in this country.  This year's "Cancer Statistics, 2010" report was released this morning, and provides a considerable amount of information regarding the burden of cancer in the United States, such as the expected number of new cancer cases and number of cancer deaths in the United States in 2010.   As part of the same report, my colleagues at the American Cancer Society also dissect the numbers and provide insight into the trends in cancer incidence and deaths, what is happening and perhaps why it is happening.  Statistics--no matter how good you are at writing reports--are always somewhat droll and boring.  But there are the occasional pearls that leap ou... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3737212 Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:50:00 +0100 3737212 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3737215&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2010%2F06%2F08%2FWhere-We-Are-After-ASCO-2010.aspx Every year after the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology I try to provide a sense of where I think we are in clinical cancer research and treatment, and what I think the major messages and themes are from the meeting. Perhaps some of the excitement and expectations have to be tempered a bit in light of disappointing clinical trials and the increasing realization that cancer remains a wily foe, but I remain an optimist. Take a look at this year's report in a guest blog I  just wrote for CNBC. (Source: Dr. Len's Cancer Blog) Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3737215 Tue, 08 Jun 2010 04:00:00 +0100 3737215 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3737218&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2010%2F06%2F05%2FBan-The-%28Free%29-Coffee%21.aspx I come to the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology to hear about the new research and treatments in cancer.  But it is frequently the unexpected observations that get me thinking about some of the bizarre impacts of the rules and regulations governing medical practice that have been put into place by our state and federal legislators to deal with otherwise serious matters.   Last year, I wrote about the prohibition on drug companies from giving anything of value—even a pen or a pad—to a doctor.  The year before that it was “the little rooms” on the convention floor where drug company representatives could honestly answer questions from the doctors from around the world, but not from doctors who practice in the United States. &nb... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3737218 Sat, 05 Jun 2010 04:00:00 +0100 3737218 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3059874&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=39025&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Feverythingchangesbook%2F%7E3%2F33Kk4SlYfqk%2Fcancer-changing-identity It’s time to clean out my cancer closet.  Between living with cancer for nine years and researching and writing a book on young adult cancer for five years, I’ve accumulated an abundance of oncology articles, books, and magazines. The task is more emotional than I anticipated.  Lodged in my collection of scientific data are notes I scribbled in the margins, like: “None of these stats apply to me. Is it time to abandon Western medicine?” I’m still am not cured.  Thankfully I have learned how to manage my cancer better now than when I wrote that note.  None the less, it’s sad reading my paper trail of desperation. It’s hard getting rid of my books on palliative and end of life care.  They were invaluable in helping me write resource sections for Everything Changes.  A lou... Everything Changes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3059874 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:16:32 +0100 3059874 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2699545&cid=t_185181_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F14%2Fbritish-journal-of-healthcare-assistants-2009-vol-3-no-8%2F Title: End of life care of a patient: a case study Skinny: This short article covers a patient’s last 48 hours of life including a case study and management of all symptoms expected during the terminal phase. Describes some of the issues faced by dying people and the challenges this presents to healthcare assistants (HCAs). The case study regards a 74-year-old man diagnosed with Lung Cancer and bone metastases being treated under the Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP). (Print subscription available in Fade Library) Posted in Cancer, Care Pathways, End of Life, Journals, Lung Cancer, Quality of Life Tagged: Bone Metastases, Cancer, Care Pathways, Case Studies, End of Life Care, Healthcare Assistants, Liverpool Care Pathway, Lung Cancer, Palliative Care (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2699545 Fri, 14 Aug 2009 10:21:44 +0100 2699545 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1914745&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35300&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.metastaticlivercancer.org%2F2008-10-29-cancer-treatment%2Flesly-is-losing-the-love-of-her-life-to-metastatic-liver-cancer%2F Lesly shares how she is living the last days together with the only love of her live who is suffering with metastatic liver cancer. She left her condolences in a comment at Patrick’s post who very recently lost his father due to metastatic liver cancer.   Thanks to the cancer stories you leave on our blog, people that go the same path don’t have to walk it alone.   Thanks Lesly, Patrick and all others for contributing to this website and as such contributing to the life of others!   Like you say Lesly, love indeed is a beautiful thing. It gives the motivation to do the things needed to be done when you take care of your loved one.   51 is way too young to go I find, be it due to cancer or any other disease.   Cherish the precious time together as long a... Metastatic liver cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1914745 Wed, 29 Oct 2008 07:57:26 +0100 1914745 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1720412&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35300&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.metastaticlivercancer.org%2F2008-08-21-cancer-treatment%2Fnew-metastatic-liver-cancer-treatment-chocolate%2F Eclairs covered with lots of chocolate was father’s new cancer treatment as in …a treat that brought a smile on father’s face!   Love is the best medicine!   Love doesn’t cure cancer and for sure chocolate is not a treatment for metastatic liver cancer. But love is the best foundation to give the much needed care a terminal cancer patient needs.   Parents love their children and devote lots and lots of their time and energy in raising their kids. The same effort will be needed when you are taking care of a loved one with cancer.   With kids, parents have a dream that they will end up like this or that… when talking about secondary liver cancer your dreams are on hold. The reality is that non of the metastatic liver cancer stories we gathere... Metastatic liver cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1720412 Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:09:13 +0100 1720412 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1478254&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2F300561933%2F What: ‘Caring For The Caregiver’ Program When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 28 Where: Stabile Research Building at Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 Magnolia Drive (Tampa, Florida) Moffitt Cancer Center’s ‘Caring For The Caregiver’ Program is a free education and support program for family cancer caregivers which will be facilitated by Moffitt professionals: Miriam Innocenti (clinical social worker), Jill Blair (nurse practitioner) and Heather Bell (registered dietitian) — and is open to anyone caring for a cancer patient. Important notes: Light breakfast and lunch are provided. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. the day of the program. Reservations are required. Please call 1-888-MOFFITT (1-888-663-3488) by June 24. [Thanks a lot to Patricia Kim of Moffitt for the hat tip... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1478254 Thu, 29 May 2008 13:50:13 +0100 1478254 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=886309&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35300&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmetastaticlivercancer.org%2F2007-09-20-cancer-treatment%2Falicia-silverstone-naked%2F Alicia Silverstone is bare naked (and for sure not bear naked…) Alicia Silverstone naked, so you should be too??? Eat more vegetables because meat does rot in your intestines increasing your risk of having colon cancer!(dad has colon cancer) Why is Alicia Silverstone topless? Why is Alicia Silverstone naked? Euhm, seems she loves animals and when Alicia sees a steak, it makes her feel sad and sick because right away, she sees her dog… The last time I heard about a person seeing her dog when there was a steak on her plate, a few days later she was running nude in the streets and luckily unharmed put away in a psychiatric hospital to calm her down (that’s polite to say they gave her Haldol). Why is Alicia Silverstone really naked? Because we live in a sick society where ... Metastatic liver cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=886309 Thu, 20 Sep 2007 02:40:50 +0100 886309 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=883772&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35300&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmetastaticlivercancer.org%2F2007-09-19-cancer-treatment%2Fdad-has-colon-cancer-2%2F As a follow up of our previous dad has colon cancer post: dad had the cancer removed the operation went well dad already opened his eyes once according to the surgeon, dad will not die from cancer. We keep our fingers crossed because everybody knows that a colon is something that has to work every day, so just after surgery, things have almost no time to heal. One sis is with father until the weekend, and then I will take over the next week (we know the routine from metastatic liver cancer father …). (Source: Metastatic liver cancer) Metastatic liver cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=883772 Wed, 19 Sep 2007 10:15:13 +0100 883772 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=852572&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35300&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmetastaticlivercancer.org%2F2007-09-09-cancer-treatment%2Fpancreatic-cancer-prognosis%2F It’s always the same: as soon as I hear somebody has this or that type of cancer, I start googling it up. Although I don’t know Pavarotti personally, Pavarotti pancreatic cancer has again alerted me to do some more research about pancreatic cancer. I just want to compare it with father’s metastatic liver cancer and since the outcome of father and Pavarotti is the same, sometimes you wonder why I start even researching in the first place. But in our local community I am getting recognized as the cancer specialist. Gosh, I am far from that! Doctors specialize for years and years in 1 type of cancer, so I am no specialist. I do know about palliative care and I do know how cancer changes the live of a person and his dearest beloved ones. So I am trying to live up to people&#... Metastatic liver cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=852572 Sat, 08 Sep 2007 16:01:18 +0100 852572 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=828231&cid=t_185181_136_f&fid=35300&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmetastaticlivercancer.org%2F2007-08-29-cancer-treatment%2Fwhy-cancer-keeps-a-secret%2F There is a taboo when it comes to cancer: as if you did something wrong and … gosh, what is more bad than having cancer that you wouldn’t go in the open with it? But there is another reason I noticed now since Mom is above the knife and recovering in hospital. Her sister is visiting [...] (Source: Metastatic liver cancer) Metastatic liver cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=828231 Wed, 29 Aug 2007 09:17:40 +0100 828231 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=765736&cid=t_185181_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F07%2F30%2Fyoutube-presidential-debate-features-cancer-question%2F Filed under: Breast Cancer, Events, Politics, Daily newsOn July 23, a milestone in presidential campaign history was delivered when Democratic presidential candidates fielded questions sent in via YouTube, a popular video sharing website where users can upload, view, and share video clips. On September 17, Republican candidates will take part in the second CNN-YouTube debate.Aired live on CNN, this unusual debate featured 39 serious questions -- about immigration, climate change, the voting system, even cancer.Thirty-six-year-old Kim of Long Island, who pulls off her wig mid-question, asks in her video clip about the millions of uninsured Americans who don't have access to preventative medical care."What would you, as president, do to make low cost or free preventative medicine available f... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=765736 Mon, 30 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 765736 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=682739&cid=t_185181_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F06%2F18%2Fnational-cancer-institute-program-to-bring-quality-cancer-care%2F Filed under: Chemotherapy, All Cancers, Clinical Trials, Research, Environment, Radiation, Cancer Survivors, SurgeryThe National Cancer Institute (NCI) is launching a three-year pilot phase of a new program that will help bring state of the art care to patients in community hospitals across the country. The NCI Community Cancer Centers Program (NCCCP) is designed to encourage the collaboration of private practice medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists. Building on this expanded network, the NCCCP will explore ways of sharing information, via electronic medical records, to further enhance patient care. Evidence from a wide range of studies suggests that cancer patients diagnosed and treated in a setting of coordinated multi-specialty care and clinical research may live longer and have... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=682739 Mon, 18 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 682739 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=525455&cid=t_185181_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F04%2F06%2Fcancer-cases-predicted-to-double-by-2030%2F Filed under: All Cancers, Daily newsCancer cases are expected to more than double between the years 2000 and 2030, says the director of the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer.This upward climb will occur primarily in poor countries due to an increase in population growth, longer life expectancy, more smoking, and a lack of health care in low and medium-resource countries."What's going to happen between now and 2030 is that the population is going to increase from about 6.5 billion to 8 billion in 2030," Dr. Peter Boyle reports. "So even if the risks remain constant at each five-year age group, because we've got more people around, we're going to have more cases of cancer.It's the unfortunate successes for developed countries over the past 40 years, such... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=525455 Fri, 06 Apr 2007 04:00:00 +0100 525455 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=513809&cid=t_185181_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F03%2F31%2Fread-this-what-you-dont-know-can-kill-you%2F Filed under: Prevention, All Cancers, BooksWOW, what a book -- a perfect guide for those just embarking on a medical journey and a valuable resource for people like me -- already surviving a major illness -- who wish to better manage their health care for all of time.Author Laura Nathanson, MD, wrote What You Don't Know Can Kill You: A Physician's Radical Guide to Conquering the Obstacles to Excellent Medical Care in honor of the husband she lost after a series of misdiagnoses and for everyone wishing to prevent such tragedy in their own lives.Nathanson offers readers techniques for identifying signs of misdiagnosis and misleading analysis of symptoms. She shares tips for preventing medical miscommunication, keeping safe in the hospital, and choosing health care plans without falling into ... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=513809 Sat, 31 Mar 2007 04:00:00 +0100 513809 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=509312&cid=t_185181_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F03%2F29%2Fas-illiteracy-stacks-up-patients-suffer%2F Filed under: All Cancers, Research, Environment, Daily newsIn 2003, 29 percent of the American population had only basic prose literacy skills and 14 percent had below-basic skills. Prose literacy measures the skills needed to understand texts such as new stories, brochures, and instruction manuals. People with basic skills can perform simple, everyday literacy activities. Those with below-basic skills are proficient in only the most simple and concrete literacy.How is it that these individuals, when they are diagnosed with a disease such as cancer, are able to understand the medical jargon thrown their way, the literature that piles up in front them, the complicated process we call the medical system?They aren't. And this leads to increased chances that people will be hurt, even killed, i... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=509312 Thu, 29 Mar 2007 04:00:00 +0100 509312 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=506830&cid=t_185181_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F03%2F28%2Fimproved-survival-of-colon-cancer-by-removing-more-lymph-nodes%2F Filed under: Colon and Rectal Cancer, Clinical Trials, Cancer Survivors, SurgerySurgeons will normally remove the lymph nodes during surgery when a patient has Stage II or Stage III colon cancer. These stages refer to colon cancer that has penetrated the colon and entered the abdominal cavity. There may be spread of the cancer to local lymph nodes that need to be removed and biopsied. An article published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute says that patients have improved survival when a greater number of lymph nodes are removed during surgery. Patients have anywhere from six to forty lymph nodes removed and evaluated. The question is -- What is the optimal number of lymph nodes to remove and evaluate? A clinical study was conducted that involved nearly 62,000 patients. The re... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=506830 Wed, 28 Mar 2007 04:00:00 +0100 506830 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=478725&cid=t_185181_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F03%2F16%2Fthought-for-the-day-consider-this-a-wake-up-call%2F Filed under: Breast Cancer, Prevention, Research, Daily news, Thought for the DayFewer women are getting mammograms. Facilities offering mammograms are closing. Mammogram machine usage is declining. And we don't really know why."We're heading in the wrong direction," says Carol Lee, professor of radiology at Yale University School of Medicine and chair of the American College of Radiology's commission on breast imaging."If this decline holds up, it will be very worrisome," she says."We're looking at a possible increase in deaths if we see this continue," according to Diana Balma, vice president of public policy at Susan G. Komen for the Cure.Studies don't show which women -- rich or poor, young or old, educated or uneducated -- are skipping these critical screenings, but there are a few po... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=478725 Fri, 16 Mar 2007 04:00:00 +0100 478725