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 patient'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:03:39 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5077966&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fyou-get-to-choose-your-doctors%2F I write often about how it is important to work with doctors you like and can trust. I was reminded of this last week when I had my four-month oncologist appointment. I love my oncologist, Dr. Khan. He has a gentle spirit, he is always cheerful, and he is always happy to see me. I spend much of the appointment asking about the chances of cancer returning and reviewing the effects of all the treatment I had. He in turn spends much of the appointment reassuring me and reminding me that although he can never say that breast cancer is completely cured, he is convinced that I will be around for a long, long time. He can be so confident because even his patients who have had cancer return or metastasize tend to live a long time with the chronic condition. Dr. Khan is very aggressive in treating ... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5077966 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:22:26 +0100 5077966 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4670109&cid=t_143339_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdoes-your-doctor-trust-you%2F2011.04.02 Members of the  American public are frequently surveyed about their trust in various professionals.  Doctors and nurses usually wind up near the top of the list, especially when compared to lawyers, hairdressers and politicians.  Trust in professionals is important to us: they possess expertise we lack but need, to solve problems ranging from the serious (illness) to the relatively trivial (appearance). How much professionals trust us seems irrelevant: our reciprocity is expressed in the form of payment for services rendered or promised, our recommendations to friends and families and repeat appearances. So I was surprised to read an article in the Annals of Family Medicine describing a new scale to measure doctors’ trust in their patients.  This scale, based on input from focus grou... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4670109 Sat, 02 Apr 2011 18:00:08 +0100 4670109 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4438875&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FKevinMd-MedicalWeblog%2F%7E3%2FR9TL89BEeQc%2Fkernels-humor-tragic-cancer-story.html by Colleen Kelly MellorI didn’t always recognize its importance. I mean when I was younger, I thought that being attractive, slim, athletic, articulate were sure-fire antidotes to one’s suffering a life of mediocrity. I just never recognized the value of something I took for granted, my sense of humor. And then life happened.When I was 36, my husband (who was older by 12 years) was diagnosed with lung cancer. Inoperable, incurable, his type of cancer meant that he had only months to live. Oncologists at the hospital devised a protocol for him: Every month he entered the hospital for a seven-day cisplatinum infusion drip, delivered via an intravenous tube mounted on a 5-footed device that could be wheeled around, if he felt up to any kind of exercise.(...)Read the rest of Kernels o... Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4438875 Sat, 05 Feb 2011 14:00:30 +0100 4438875 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4382713&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FKevinMd-MedicalWeblog%2F%7E3%2FMS0zgyJ4VUQ%2Fmenopause-cancer-women.html by Therese Bevers, MDMenopause often brings more than physical changes. It also may bring uncertainty about cancer risks and cancer prevention.Below, I’ve compiled some of the questions I frequently hear from patients about menopause and cancer. I hope these answers will help other women start informed conversations with their doctors about menopause-related concerns.How does menopause affect a woman’s cancer risk? Menopause does not cause cancer. But your risk of developing cancer increases as you age. So women going through menopause have a greater chance of developing cancer because they’re older.(...)Read the rest of Menopause and cancer: What women should know2 comments | Tags: Cancer, Patient, Primary care | Category: Diagnosis and treatment (Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblo... Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4382713 Fri, 21 Jan 2011 14:00:57 +0100 4382713 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4371995&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FKevinMd-MedicalWeblog%2F%7E3%2FZCVvxi18h5w%2Flaryngectomy-shakes-physician-core.html by Itzhak Brook, MDAs an infectious diseases physician with a special interest in head and neck infections, I had extensive experience in otolaryngological illnesses. However, when I was exposed to new, different, and challenging experiences as a neck cancer patient, I had to deal with these as a patient — not as a physician. I endured the consequences of radiation, repeated surgeries, and prolonged hospitalizations. I confronted medical errors in my care, discrimination following loss of my vocal cords, and the hardships of regaining my ability to speak.Perhaps most importantly, I struggled to find a new meaning to my life.(...)Read the rest of A laryngectomy shakes this physician to the coreNo comment | Tags: Cancer, Patient, Specialist | Category: Cancer (Source: Kevin, M.D. - Med... Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4371995 Wed, 19 Jan 2011 14:00:38 +0100 4371995 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4330950&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FKevinMd-MedicalWeblog%2F%7E3%2FpOLIieMPCvw%2Fhpv-test-doctors-testing-guidelines.html by Brian Jackson, MD and Brian Shirts, MD, PhDWe’ve heard a lot of talk lately about personalized medicine (i.e., using advanced diagnostics to guide customized therapy).A great deal of research is going into creating new molecular and genetic tests. But whether the health care system is prepared to actually generate value from these advanced diagnostics remains an open question. Our group’s research, presented in a new study published in the Journal of Pathology Informatics, finds that one relatively new test is widely misused in ways that drive up costs without benefiting patients.(...)Read the rest of HPV test: Doctors are still not following testing guidelinesNo comment | Tags: Cancer, Patient, Primary care | Category: Diagnosis and treatment (Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog) Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4330950 Tue, 11 Jan 2011 14:00:00 +0100 4330950 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4258792&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FKevinMd-MedicalWeblog%2F%7E3%2FReNvhSIHqTc%2Fquit-smoking-2011-5-steps.html by Paul M. Cinciripini, PhDIf you smoke, quitting the habit is the best New Year’s resolution you could make — and keep — in 2011. That’s true even if you’re just a social smoker.A new report from the Surgeon General shows that even occasional smoking and secondhand smoke cause immediate damage to the body.The good news is that people who stop smoking before age 50 cut their risk of dying in the next 15 years by 50%, according to the American Cancer Society. And all smokers reap benefits — including improved circulation and lung function — within weeks of quitting.Try these tips to kick the tobacco habit for the New Year. Beware, though: No quit-smoking strategy is one-size-fits-all, so you’ll need to adapt these strategies to your smoking personality.(...)Read the rest of ... Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4258792 Tue, 14 Dec 2010 14:00:39 +0100 4258792 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4172011&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FKevinMd-MedicalWeblog%2F%7E3%2FXMUZgPz6iF4%2Fcreate-medical-family-tree.html by Karen Lu, MDThe holidays are a great opportunity to ask family members about their health history.Learning about your family’s health history can help you answer your doctor’s medical history questions. It can even help your doctor determine if you may be at risk for an inherited cancer like breast, colorectal, ovarian, prostate or endometrial cancer, which sometimes run in the family.(...)Read the rest of How to create your medical family treeNo comment | Tags: Cancer, Patient, Specialist | Category: Cancer (Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog) Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4172011 Tue, 16 Nov 2010 14:00:08 +0100 4172011 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4151670&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FKevinMd-MedicalWeblog%2F%7E3%2FhtJlMTJe5xw%2Fbenefits-mammography-outweigh-harms.html by George Lundberg, MDStop pushing screening mammograms now.One by one, the big-time screening tests for dread diseases, begun with good intentions, the best science known at the time, and a mass public health campaign, bite the dust.Real science, that of statistically and clinically valid outcomes over time, obviously takes time to be realized. It also takes unbiased scientists and physicians with minimal conflicts of interest to study, deduce, report and then take the heat while putting change into practice.(...)Read the rest of Benefits of mammography may not outweigh the harmsNo comment | Tags: Cancer, Patient | Category: Cancer (Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog) Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4151670 Wed, 10 Nov 2010 14:00:53 +0100 4151670 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4151671&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FKevinMd-MedicalWeblog%2F%7E3%2FxAjGcxF5A7U%2Fcancer-screening-treatment-focus-mortality.html by Kevin Pho, MDWhen patients undergo medical treatment — like radiation therapy for prostate cancer, for instance — little is reported about the lifelong side effects that can arise.That’s because outcomes have disproportionally focused on survival.  Whether a patient has incontinence, impotent, or blood in the urine stemming from prostate cancer therapy has largely been overshadowed.In a recent New York Times’ column, Pauline Chen highlights the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute.  According to health policy analysts,the potential of such an enterprise will be fully realized only if the institute supports initiatives and strategies that place the patient experience not only front and center in research but also smack in the middle of the medical mainst... Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4151671 Wed, 10 Nov 2010 13:13:44 +0100 4151671 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4133579&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FKevinMd-MedicalWeblog%2F%7E3%2FmbPRL3J4SXk%2Fscreening-lung-cancer-ct-scan-nlst-results.html by Kevin Pho, MDLung cancer screening has been an area of considerable controversy.  Before today, there had been no evidence that screening patients for lung cancer, either with a CT scan or chest x-ray, saved lives.For years, doctors have been waiting for the results of the large, randomized National Lung Screening Trial (NLST), conducted by the National Cancer Institute.This morning, it was announced that the trial was stopped early, with a bold, positive finding:All participants had a history of at least 30 pack-years, and were either current or former smokers without signs, symptoms, or a history of lung cancer.As of Oct. 20, 2010, the researchers saw a total of 354 deaths from lung cancer in the CT group, compared with 442 in the chest x-ray group.That amounts to a 20.3% reduction i... Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4133579 Thu, 04 Nov 2010 16:36:08 +0100 4133579 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4105998&cid=t_143339_147_f&fid=39266&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCreationInteractive%2F%7E3%2FMlWwBpbP1ZM%2F October is international “Breast Cancer Awareness Month”; or “Octobre Rose” (“Pink October”) in France. This is an opportunity for patient groups, charities or states to raise awareness about breast cancer and reiterate the importance of screening. In France, more than 52,000 new breast cancer cases are estimated in 2010, making it the most common cancer amongst women. Thus, the “Octobre Rose” campaign aims to overcome the reluctance of women to take part in breast cancer screening. Among the many initiatives and digital strategies that are emerging throughout Europe is the digital engagement campaign “La Chaine Rose” from pharmaceutical company Roche in France. Social media to engage a community against breast cancer Pharmaceutical marketers and co... Creation Interactive blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4105998 Tue, 26 Oct 2010 09:00:30 +0100 4105998 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4073967&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F10%2Fbreast-cancer-understanding-breast-type.html by Therese Bevers, MDWhat does your breast type say about your cancer risk? Quite a bit, actually.Whether you have large, small or lumpy breasts, self-awareness is very important. Getting to know how your breasts look and feel can help you recognize possible red flags.(...)Read the rest of Breast cancer and understanding your breast type2 comments | Tags: Cancer, Patient, Specialist | Category: Cancer (Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog) Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4073967 Fri, 15 Oct 2010 11:00:20 +0100 4073967 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4045041&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F10%2Fwatchful-waiting-underutilized-men-prostate-cancer.html by John Schumann, MDNPR has a great blog on their website called Shots about current events in health care. Recently, Scott Hensley, the main blogger there, posted a recent article on treatment of prostate cancer from the Archives of Internal Medicine.If you look at the article, you may notice a very small subheading above the article’s title. It reads “Less is More.”Very telling.(...)Read the rest of Watchful waiting is underutilized for most men with prostate cancerNo comment | Tags: Cancer, Patient | Category: Cancer (Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog) Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4045041 Fri, 08 Oct 2010 19:00:08 +0100 4045041 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4036572&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F10%2F10-good-happen-cancer.html by Michele R. Berman, MDThe following list is from a cancer survivor, Judy Engibous, posted on Hester Hill Schnipper’s blog Living with Breast Cancer.We first published it back in March of 2009 but are “reloading” it in recognition of Showtimes’ The Big C starring Laura Linney. We were wondering if the story could be considered an example of “Participatory Medicine” with Linney’s character being an “e-patient.”(...)Read the rest of 10 good things that can happen from cancer3 comments | Tags: Cancer, Patient | Category: Cancer (Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog) Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4036572 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 15:00:25 +0100 4036572 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4036573&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F10%2Fpatients-physicians-screen-cancer-cautiously.html by George Lundberg, MDTo screen or not to screen? That is not the question.The question is not whether to screen, it is why, what, where, when, how, and how much, how often, and at what cost for what benefit.Patients and physicians must and do screen. The issue is cautious appropriateness. Self-screening by patients is easy, free, and fundamentally harmless. Look at your skin for potential melanomas, be alert to warning symptoms of a stroke, learn the early signs of alcohol dependence, observe your urine for gross blood.(...)Read the rest of Patients and physicians should screen for cancer, but cautiously4 comments | Tags: Cancer, Patient, Primary care | Category: Cancer (Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog) Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4036573 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 13:00:42 +0100 4036573 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4031171&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F10%2Fcake-terminal-cancer-patient.html by Krupali Tejura, MDA fellow physician called me with a consult this afternoon.He described the case as a 60 year old who had stridor (difficulty breathing) for the past week and was admitted to the hospital recently. A CT scan showed lymph nodes in his neck which was compressing the trachea, and other scans didn’t show much better. A biopsy was done but the final results were pending. It was cancer.  It smelled like cancer, it looked like cancer per his description, and in my gut I knew it was.(...)Read the rest of Cake with a terminal cancer patient7 comments | Tags: Cancer, Patient, Specialist | Category: Cancer (Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog) Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4031171 Mon, 04 Oct 2010 17:00:16 +0100 4031171 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3993797&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F09%2Fcycling-helps-patient-sarcoma.html by Kristina FioreJennifer Goodman Linn, 39, has been through five surgeries and six rounds of chemotherapy since 2004, trying to control the sarcoma that keeps growing in her abdomen.Goodman Linn has what her doctors call a rare form of a rare cancer — an MFH sarcoma, also known as an undifferentiated high grade pleiomorphic sarcoma. It’s remained confined to her retroperitoneal area, but, she says “it’s pesky and it keeps on coming back.”With no more than about 1,500 cases in the U.S., the cancer carries a five-year survival rate of about 50%. Goodman Linn is just past that five-year mark, and she gives some of the credit for that to cycling.(...)Read the rest of Cycling helps this patient with a sarcomaNo comment | Tags: Cancer, Patient | Category: Cancer (... Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3993797 Thu, 23 Sep 2010 13:00:30 +0100 3993797 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3993801&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F09%2Fpatients-share-stories.html by Bruce Campbell, MDWe say we exchange words when we meet. What we exchange is souls. -Minot J. Savage It was Monday evening. The shelves in the electronics department overflowed with different styles, prices, and brands of headphones, all displayed in sealed plastic cases. I was in the mood to buy but was baffled by the array of options in front of me. This was not going to be as simple as I had thought.A young salesperson broke off his conversation and sauntered casually to where I was struggling. Grinning impishly, he leaned on the display.  “Hey,” he wanted to know, “how was your weekend?”(...)Read the rest of When patients are willing to share their storiesNo comment | Tags: Cancer, Patient | Category: Cancer (Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog) Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3993801 Wed, 22 Sep 2010 17:00:35 +0100 3993801 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3993802&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F09%2Favoid-skin-cancer-risk.html by Juliet K. Mavromatis, MDSkin cancer is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in the United States.There are three major types: basal cell, squamous cell and melanoma. Of those, basal cell and squamous cell are most common, accounting for about 3.5 million cases in the United States per year. Although, these types typically do not metastasize, they can be quite disfiguring, particularly after resection when they occur on the face. On a population level, melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer, accounting for approximately eight thousand of the ten thousand deaths per year attributed to skin cancer.(...)Read the rest of How you can avoid skin cancer riskNo comment | Tags: Cancer, Patient | Category: Cancer (Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog) Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3993802 Wed, 22 Sep 2010 15:00:35 +0100 3993802 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683563&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F06%2Fscreening-studies-blur-mortality-case-fatality-line.html by Marya Zilberberg, MD, MPH When do tests improve mortality? This is a question well worth asking, particularly as we argue about the merits of mammography screening. The USPSTF has really stirred up the hornet’s nest with this one, and the politicians cannot help but get on their populist pulpit, ignoring the facts completely. But the question remains, do screening or diagnostic tests that are more sensitive save lives? We all hear that mortality from many diseases has decreased over the last few decades. But is this true? (...)Read the rest of Screening studies that blur the mortality and case fatality line 1 comment | Tags: Cancer, Patient, Primary care | Category: Cancer (Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog) Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683563 Mon, 21 Jun 2010 16:00:30 +0100 3683563 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3577349&cid=t_143339_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F19%2Fnational-cancer-patients-experience-survey-programme-2010%2F Title: National Cancer Patients’ Experience Survey Programme 2010 Annex A Skinny: Identifies that the Review of Central Returns Steering Committee (ROCR) have approved a national survey of cancer patients’ experiences in all Trusts who offer adult acute cancer services . This survey is highlighted as a priority in the NHS Operating Framework 2010/11, section 2.24. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 3p. Published: 10/03/2010 Filed under: Grey Literature, Quality, Stakeholder Engagement Tagged: Cancer, Dear Colleague Letters, Grey Literature, NHS Operating Framework 2010/11, Patient Experience, Quality (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3577349 Wed, 19 May 2010 06:34:31 +0100 3577349 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3529983&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F05%2F04%2Fcancer-its-all-in-your-mind%2F Cartoon by Robert & Donna Trussell © 2010 Filed under: Cancer Tagged: cancer cartoon, cancer patient, cancer survivor, positive attitude, positive thinking (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3529983 Tue, 04 May 2010 06:51:52 +0100 3529983 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3501482&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F04%2Fcolorectal-cancer-blacks-affected-healthcare-utilization.html by Todd Neale The greater burden of colorectal cancer in the black community appears to be related to healthcare utilization, and not biology, researchers found. Similar proportions of black and white patients had polyps or masses detected by flexible sigmoidoscopy, but black patients were less likely than whites to have the recommended follow-up colonoscopy (62.6% versus 72.4%), according to Adeyinka Laiyemo, MD, MPH, of Howard University in Washington, and colleagues. (...)Read the rest of Colorectal cancer in blacks is affected by healthcare utilization No comment | Tags: Cancer, Patient | Category: Cancer (Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog) Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3501482 Sat, 24 Apr 2010 15:00:18 +0100 3501482 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3298549&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fexplaining-myself-the-very-short-version.html For those of you who have been reading my attempts to explain how I cope with my cancer--originally written for my friend Julie, but also written for all of you--here's the very short version:It's a choice. It really is that simple, but also that hard. I used to get angry, back in the day, when people said things to me like, "I don't know how you do it. I could never cope like you do." And my answer was always, "What other choice do I have?" The truth was, being me, I didn't have another choice. But what gives me strength is knowing that it is always my choice--my choice to fight, my choice to be happy, and my choice to live as well as I can with this ugly disease. Here's the long version: Helping Julie: My Long An... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3298549 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:30:59 +0100 3298549 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3236043&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fhelping-julie-my-long-answer.html  My friend Julie e-mailed me on Thursday and asked for my help. The subject line on the e-mail kinda said it all. She wrote: "How do you do it?"I've been thinking about Julie's question almost continuously since Thursday. I've written a couple of short posts that, I hope, each contains at least part of my answer, and Julie and I have e-mailed back and forth several times as well. So I know what she wants to know. And I hope I can explain myself in a way that will be helpful to her. Not Just the Good TimesWhen I started writing this blog back in 2006, I made a promise to myself that the blog would be as honest as I could make it. I had no desire to become another one of those "inspirational" cancer patients--the ones who never complain... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3236043 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:25:47 +0100 3236043 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3231414&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F02%2Fpatients-quit-smoking-lung-cancer.html Originally published in Insidermedicine Quitting smoking after being diagnosed with lung cancer can prolong life and reduce the risk of a cancer recurrence or the development of a new lung cancer, according to research published online ahead of print in the British Medical Journal. Here are just a few of the effects of quitting smoking: • After 20 minutes, your heart rate and blood pressure drop • After 12 hours, carbon monoxide levels in your blood return to normal • After 2 weeks to 3 months, your circulation and lung function improve Researchers from University of Birmingham analyzed data taken from 10 studies that explored the effects of quitting smoking on the survival and health of individuals who were diagnosed with lung cancer. Most of the individuals included in these ... Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3231414 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:00:48 +0100 3231414 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3208621&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fthe-lady-with-the-cane.html Let me say, first of all, that I just don't see myself as The Lady With the Cane.  Not my self-image.  However, I have been using a cane for a couple of weeks now, because of the pain in my left hip. I need the cane to get out of bed in the morning, and for the first little while after I'm up because I can't put all my weight on that leg. And I need it each and every time I get up from a chair or the couch.  This situation seems likely to continue. I see Dr. Eulau this afternoon to discuss the problem with my left hip, because at this point I don't even know if there is active disease there. Seems like there must be, but I don't know for sure and he doesn't either.  Given this situation, I may have to bow--not gracefully, but with m... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3208621 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:17:35 +0100 3208621 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3153316&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F01%2Fhealth-system-promote-individualized-cancer-screening-decisions.html There have been plenty of posts debating the wisdom of the recent breast cancer screening guidelines. The New York Times has some of the best stuff, explaining the rationale of the decision, with a good discussion on the math and statistics surrounding the issue. Here’s an example in an article entitled, Mammogram Math. But it goes beyond the public not accepting empirical evidence. Another piece from economist Richard H. Thaler again tries to explain the data, but it’s likely going to fall on deaf ears. People generally already have their entrenched beliefs, and only seek information that already affirms a pre-conceived mentality. Furthermore, as Mr. Thaler writes, our system isn’t really set up for such nuanced discussions: It is safe to say that our current medical ca... Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3153316 Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:00:54 +0100 3153316 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3129454&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F12%2Fwomen-refusing-mri-screen-breast-cancer.html Originally published in MedPage Today by Crystal Phend, MedPage Today Senior Staff Writer Many women at elevated breast cancer risk may refuse MRI as part of their screening program, largely because of fear and inconvenience, researchers found. Among eligible women with dense breasts who were at intermediate to high risk for breast cancer, 42.1% refused additional MRI screening as part of a clinical trial of mammography and ultrasound screening. Claustrophobia was by far the top reason given for turning down MRI screening, cited by 25.4% of women approached, according Wendie A. Berg, MD, PhD, of Johns Hopkins, and colleagues. Travel and time required accounted for another 20% of rejections, they wrote in the January 2010 issue of Radiology. These results suggested that patient acceptance... Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3129454 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:00:41 +0100 3129454 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3129456&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F12%2Ffind-cancer-specialist.html by Dana Griffen Receiving a cancer diagnosis is an upsetting experience for the patient, as well as his or her family and friends. Cancer patients are thrust into a new world with new language and new rules. Knowing where to turn and who you can trust is a huge concern. One of the first things a cancer patient will discover is that he or she will not be treated by only one doctor. Additionally, not all cancer doctors have the same training or specialties. An oncologist is the broad name given to doctors that specialize in cancer treatment. Because there are various forms of cancer treatment, this specialty is further refined into surgical oncology, radiation oncology, and medical oncology. Multiple methods will often be needed to effectively treat the cancer, and a treatment team may inclu... Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3129456 Tue, 29 Dec 2009 20:00:27 +0100 3129456 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3100725&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F12%2Fexplaining-basic-radiation-therapy-terms-cancer-patients.html Originally posted in HCPLive.com by Colleen O’Leary, RN, MSN, AOCNS I have always been very intrigued by the various forms of radiation therapy and used to relish the day that I would take my basic oncology class to the radiation oncology department for a tour. I learned something every time. But now, with the advent of new technology and the trend for facilities to advertise that they have the biggest and best equipment, I really need to learn more. Hopefully this radiation primer will help to unscramble some of the terms and mystery for you, too. Over the past decade there has been a dramatic pace of innovation from what was traditionally used (external beam radiation) to modalities that yield the potential for greater accuracy with less damage to healthy surrounding tissue. These inc... Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3100725 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:00:27 +0100 3100725 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3071104&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F12%2Ffear-cancer-undermines-mammography-guidelines.html by Lucy E. Hornstein, MD Fear is such a powerful emotion, humans will do almost anything to relieve it. The most effective way to control fear is to manage whatever it is we’re afraid of. Night lights against the monsters under the bed; locks on the doors and a handgun under the pillow to fend off intruders; annual mammograms and PSAs to keep us from dying of cancer. Although all these things may relieve fear subjectively, they may have little or no objective efficacy against the source of our fears. Fear of death — especially a painful, lingering, degrading one — is a primal human fear. This is why cancer is so terrifying, and why any news about scientists’ and doctors’ successes in diagnosing and treating it (ie, controlling it) is held in such high regard. ... Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3071104 Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:00:39 +0100 3071104 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3063221&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F12%2Fradiologists-agree-uspstf-breast-cancer-mammogram-screening-guidelines.html Originally published in MedPage Today by Kristina Fiore, MedPage Today Staff Writer Radiologists have rejected revised mammography guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), arguing that they are not backed by scientific evidence and will lead to unnecessary deaths. Under the revised guidelines, “screening will begin too late and its effects will be too little,” said Stephen A. Feig, MD, of the University of California Irvine and president-elect of the American Society of Breast Disease. “We will save money but lose lives.” The USPSTF recommended an end to routine mammograms for women in their 40s and suggested that women in their 50s be screened every two years, instead of every year. The recommendations drew a storm of criticism from politic... Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3063221 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:00:02 +0100 3063221 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3061388&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F12%2Fchest-xrays-mammograms-increase-risk-breast-cancer-young-women.html Originally published in MedPage Today by Kristina Fiore, MedPage Today Staff Writer Some women already at high risk of breast cancer should be cautious about having mammography or chest x-rays before the age of 30 because the imaging may increase the risk of developing the disease, researchers here said. Five or more x-rays, or any exposure to ionizing radiation before age 20, increased the likelihood of breast cancer two-and-a-half times in this high-risk group, Marijke C. Jansen-van der Weide, PhD, of the University Medical Center Groningen in the Netherlands, and colleagues reported at the Radiological Society of North America meeting. “For women at high risk for breast cancer — those with high-risk mutations of a family history of breast cancer — screening is very i... Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3061388 Sat, 05 Dec 2009 20:00:42 +0100 3061388 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3059697&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F12%2Foncologist-takes-breast-cervical-cancer-screening-controversy.html Originally published in HCPLive.com by Don S. Dizon, MD, FACP Recently, two groups released new guidelines that may affect breast cancer and cervical screening in women. The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended against screening women in their 40s and to screen women every other year starting at age 50. The USPSTF left room for individualized screening, particularly in the presence of risk factors such as family history. Still, it is a departure from previous recommendations (and current standard) for annual screening of women starting in their 40s. For cervical cytology screening, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) revised its pap smear guidelines, calling for women to receive them every two years between the ages of 21 and 30. The revised re... Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3059697 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:00:59 +0100 3059697 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3048055&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F12%2Facp-teasing-science-politics-emotion-mammography-guidelines.html The following is part of a series of original guest columns by the American College of Physicians. by Steven Weinberger, MD, FACP It is difficult to find a medical guideline that has garnered so much press and controversy as the recent recommendations about breast cancer screening developed by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and published in Annals of Internal Medicine. Not only have the recommendations about breast cancer screening for women between ages 40 and 49 elicited strong comments and emotional reactions on both sides of the issue from patients and physicians, but they have entered the political arena in unprecedented fashion. In sorting through the different positions and the impact of this paper, several facts need to be kept in mind: Individualized decision m... Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3048055 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:00:28 +0100 3048055 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3044683&cid=t_143339_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F01%2Farchives-of-surgery-2009-vol-144-no-11%2F contents page Fade Fave: Factors That Determine Satisfaction With Surgical Treatment of Low-Income Women With Breast Cancer Fade Skinny: Considers the relationship between patient satisfaction with surgical treatment and 4 consultation skills and processes of the surgeons (time spent, listens carefully, explains concepts in a way the patient can understand, and shows respect for what the patient has to say), controlling for a range of patient, surgeon, and treatment characteristics. Highlights the need to spend enough time and explaining concepts in a way that ensures patients understand them to increase patient satisfaction. (NHS Athens is required to access this article online) Posted in Athens Password, Current Awareness, E-Journals Tagged: Breast Cancer, Communication, Current Awarene... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3044683 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:05:35 +0100 3044683 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3023058&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F11%2Finformed-consent-missing-pap-smears-cervical-cancer-screening.html Discussion. Submit a guest post and be heard. Posted at KevinMD.com. Stay updated and subscribe, follow me on Twitter, or connect on Facebook. Related posts:When women should have their first Pap smear; the new cervical cancer screening guidelines"The great majority of women in the United States should not be getting MRI scans for breast cancer screening"Dying from cervical cancer, and the questions surrounding Jade GoodyMRI for breast cancer screening15 cancer screening posts you may have missed (Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog) Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3023058 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:00:32 +0100 3023058 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3017028&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F11%2Fcell-phone-text-messages-remind-people-sunscreen.html Originally published in Insidermedicine Daily text messages sent to individuals’ cells phones can help remind them to use sunscreen, according to research published in the latest issue of the Archives of Dermatology. Here is some information from the American Academy of Dermatology on sun exposure, sunscreen use, and vitamin D synthesis: • Unprotected ultraviolet (UV) exposure to the sun or indoor tanning devices is a known risk factor for the development of skin cancer • There is no scientifically validated, safe threshold level of UV exposure from the sun that allows for maximal vitamin D synthesis without increasing skin cancer risk • To protect against skin cancer, a comprehensive photoprotective regimen, including the regular use and proper use of a broad-spectrum sun... Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3017028 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:00:40 +0100 3017028 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3015247&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F11%2Fwomen-pap-smear-cervical-cancer-screening-guidelines.html Originally published in MedPage Today by Charles Bankhead, MedPage Today Staff Writer Women can wait longer for their first Pap smear and then repeat the test less frequently, according to recommendations from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). The organization now says women should begin cervical cancer screening with a Pap test at age 21. Subsequent tests should occur at two-year intervals until age 30, when the interval can be increased to once every three years for women who have had three consecutive negative tests. ACOG previously advised women to have an initial Pap test within three years of becoming sexually active or at age 21, whichever came first. The organization also recommended annual screening. The recommendation was published in the December ... Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3015247 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:13:55 +0100 3015247 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3012334&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F11%2Faggressive-cancer-screening-recommendations-patients.html by Amy Tuteur, MD Doctors have understood for some time that it was inevitable. The American Cancer Society has acknowledged that cancer screening has been oversold. It seems like every day you read in the newspaper that what was standard medical care yesterday is now no longer recommended. Don’t doctors know anything? Well, actually they do. And what seems like paradoxical behavior, no longer recommending aggressive screening for certain cancers, actually represents a more sophisticated understanding of the way in which cancer behaves. The classic understanding of cancer is that once a cancer forms it will continue to grow steadily until it kills the patient. Cancer was viewed as if it were an infectious disease like syphilis. It starts small and easy to treat, may remain hidden for... Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3012334 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:00:19 +0100 3012334 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2999464&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F11%2Fpatients-accept-evidencebased-breast-cancer-screening-guidelines.html Breast cancer screening has been scaled back, according to the recent recommendations of the USPSTF. That’s the right move. Although women aged 50 to 74 years should receive a mammogram every 2 years, evidence of breast cancer screening in other age groups has been marginally conclusive at best, and non-existent when it comes to clinical self-exams. Furthermore, the guidelines implicitly acknowledge the downsides of cancer screening, including the possibility of biospies for eventual benign lesions, which introduces the risk of complications that more invasive studies bring. In other words, evidence has been introduced into the guidelines, resulting in the recommendation for less testing. Some patients, predictably, aren’t happy. I went through the comment section of the story... Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2999464 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:00:25 +0100 2999464 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2959039&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2009%2F11%2F03%2Fcancer-patient-boot-camp%2F Cartoon by Robert & Donna Trussell © 2009 Posted in Cancer Tagged: cancer cartoon, cancer humor, cancer patient, cancer survivor, chemo humor, kick cancer's ass, lance armstrong, medical cartoon, medical humor, robert trussell (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2959039 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:07:32 +0100 2959039 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2954448&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F11%2Ftobacco-companies-pay-smokers-ct-scans-screen-lung-cancer.html According to a potential ruling in Massachusetts, tobacco companies will have to pay for smokers’ screening CT scans. The Boston Globe (via Doug Farrago) writes that the decision “would allow thousands of other Massachusetts smokers to join the lawsuit, which covers people 50 or older who have smoked at least one pack a day of Marlboro cigarettes for at least 20 years,” and, “if a jury sides with the smokers, Philip Morris could be required to pay for each patient’s low-dose computed tomography scan, which can detect early-stage lung cancer.” Now, I’m all for penalizing tobacco companies, but there some unintended consequences here. First, there is no evidence that CT scans for early detection of lung cancer saves lives. In fact, the USPSTF doesn&#821... Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2954448 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:00:15 +0100 2954448 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2934917&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fwriting-as-therapy-1.html Here is a version of the talk I gave yesterday in Omaha, Nebraska.  How many ways can you say scared? Terrified, apprehensive, afraid, nervous, freaked out--just plain scared. For the two months since my breast cancer diagnosis, I've been riding an emotional roller coaster over the prospect of undergoing chemotherapy. Chemotherapy. You know, the treatment where they pump you full of poisons to kill cancer cells and your disease. That treatment. I had a mastectomy about one month ago, and the surgery was not nearly as frightening to me as the thought of chemo. I was most upset by the thought of losing my hair--a billboard that shouts "I have cancer"--and the fatigue. "How fatigued?" I asked endlessly. "Will I be able to work? Play with my kids? Keep thi... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2934917 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:15:03 +0100 2934917 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2924940&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2009%2F10%2F24%2Fchaos-theory-cancer-patient-boot-camp%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on AOL’s Politics Daily: Cancer Patient Boot Camp. Posted in Cancer, Politics Daily Tagged: cancer cartoon, cancer patient, cancer survivor, cancer treatment, chemo, humor, lance armstrong (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2924940 Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:56:45 +0100 2924940 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2890563&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F10%2Fdating-advice-oncologist.html How do you know if a couple is right for each other? Watch how they interact in a cancer clinic. So says this oncologist in a poignant column from the Boston Globe. As Robin Schoenthaler writes, “When you’re a single woman picturing the guy of your dreams, what matters a heck of lot more than how he handles a kayak is how he handles things when you’re sick. And one shining example of this is how a guy deals with your purse.” And, as a bonus, Dr. Schoenthaler suggests what women should really be looking for when writing a personal ad: WANTED: . . . A man who truly doesn’t care what somebody’s breast looks like after cancer surgery, or at least will never reveal that he’s given it a moment’s thought. A guy who’s got some comfort level with secretions and knows the v... Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2890563 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:00:04 +0100 2890563 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2865586&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F10%2Fclinical-breast-examination-added-mammography-worthwhile.html This study doesn’t carry the weight of a randomized trial, but its findings make intuitive sense and can be summarized as follows: For every 10,000 screened women, CBE (added to mammography) yielded 55 additional false-positives for every 1 additional case of breast cancer that was detected. Whether this trade-off is worthwhile depends on individual and societal values. One caveat: Because the nurses who performed these breast examinations took an average of 8 to 10 minutes per examination, the results might not reflect typical office practice. Citation(s): Chiarelli AM et al. The contribution of clinical breast examination to the accuracy of breast screening. J Natl Cancer Inst 2009 Sep 16; 101:1236. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djp241 Copyright © 2009. Massachusetts Medical So... Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2865586 Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:00:31 +0100 2865586 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2855499&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F10%2Fdoctors-discuss-risks-benefits-prostate-cancer-screening-patients.html Originally published in MedPage Today by Todd Neale, MedPage Today Staff Writer Men might not be getting the information they need to make an educated decision about prostate cancer screening, two new studies suggest. Among 375 men surveyed by telephone, only 69.9% had discussed a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test with their physician before making a decision about screening, according to the first study, reported in the Sept. 28 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine. Of those who did talk with their physicians about the test, nearly all (93.9%) had discussed the benefits of screening but only 32% had talked about the potential downsides, said Richard Hoffman, MD, MPH, of the New Mexico VA Health Care System and the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, and colleagues. Although th... Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2855499 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:00:11 +0100 2855499 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2838867&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F09%2Flatest-prostate-cancer-psa-screening-test.html Originally published in MedPage Today by Chris Emery, MedPage Today Contributing Writer Prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests may lead to unnecessary treatment of healthy men for prostate cancer, and there is little evidence supporting the common but controversial test for routine cancer screening, two new studies found. Measurements of blood concentrations of PSA failed to predict cancer with the accuracy generally required of a screening test, and only very low concentrations of PSA (less than 1 nanogram per milliliter) reliably ruled out the disease, according to a Swedish study published Sept. 24 in the British Medical Journal. “Taken together, our study and the recent findings from screening trials strongly indicate that in addition to serum concentrations of prostate specific... Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2838867 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:00:07 +0100 2838867 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2774931&cid=t_143339_155_f&fid=38412&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpathlabmed.typepad.com%2Fsurgical_pathology_and_la%2F2009%2F09%2Feuropean-congress-of-pathology-annual-meeting.html Clipped from The Dark Daily report:"Next to speak was Bent Ejlertsen, M.D., Ph.D., of the Department of Oncology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. The title of his presentation was “Prediction of Responsiveness to Adjuvant Anthracyclines in High-Risk Breast Cancer Patients.” He reported on the extensive studies about the TOP2A marker that he and his colleagues have conducted. Their goal was to learn how to use this biomarker for both prognostic and predictive evaluations to identify which breast cancer patients would benefit from therapy with adjuvant anthracyclines. The TOP2A marker is scored in a similar fashion as the HER2 marker. Ejlertsen stressed that improved patient safety would result as the pathology profession achieved more ... The Daily Sign-Out blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2774931 Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:12:39 +0100 2774931 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2757658&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F09%2Ftwitter-blogging-helped-patient-cancer.html Here’s a fascinating slideshow presentation from a patient who took to Twitter and started a blog after being diagnosed with cancer. Take a look at how social media helped him. His name is Maarten Lens-FitzGerald, and he blogs at Maartens Journey. Maartens Journey presentation for Healthcare 2.0 event View more documents from LensFitzgerald. Posted at KevinMD.com. Stay updated and subscribe, follow me on Twitter, or become a fan on Facebook. Related posts:How Twitter can strengthen the doctor-patient relationshipCan Twitter be used for doctor-patient communication?Health care blogging and Web 2.0Twitter at medical conferencesShould hospitals use Twitter to follow patients? (Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog) Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2757658 Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:00:23 +0100 2757658 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2634325&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F07%2Fe-cigarettes-are-not-safe-and-heres-why.html E-cigarettes, or electronic cigarettes, have been largely unregulated, and there have been many doctors questioning its safety. MedPage Today recently reported on the FDA’s analysis of such products, and now we have some guidance as to how dangerous they can be. E-cigarettes are battery operated, and contain nicotine and other flavors that the user can inhale. Advertisements claim they are safer since they don’t burn tobacco. But according to the FDA, they “contain carcinogens such as diethylene glycol — used in antifreeze — and nitrosamines.” To his credit, internist Matthew Mintz has been sounding the alarm for awhile. Not only does he point out they are largely unregulated, there are real questions as to whether they help with smoking cessation at all... Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2634325 Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:00:42 +0100 2634325 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2570324&cid=t_143339_85_f&fid=34587&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinmd.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F07%2Fshould-steve-jobs-talk-more-openly-about-his-pancreatic-cancer.html As you have read here and elsewhere, Apple’s Steve Jobs recently underwent a liver transplant for a rare form of pancreatic cancer. He, however, is not talking publicly about his case, and Apple is tightly controlling the information surrounding Mr. Jobs’ health. Certainly, he is entitled to his medical privacy, but there are some who believe he should use his stature and celebrity to raise the awareness of pancreatic cancer. It is indeed one of the most dire diagnoses, with an often fatal prognosis. Perhaps it is because of the dismal statistics that funding for pancreatic cancer is so low. Indeed, the National Cancer Institute spends over $13,000 per prostate cancer death, compared to $2,200 for pancreatic cancer. On a blog post, the New York Times’ Tara Parker-Pope not... Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2570324 Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:00:29 +0100 2570324 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2453084&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=36162&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyelomablog.com%2F2009%2F06%2F01%2Feight-lethal-cancers-myeloma%2F A blog reader sent this to me, and I wanted to pass it on. Hi Beth, I follow your blog and thought you might be interested to know about a new initiative launched by a coalition of patient advocacy organizations during the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).  Led by the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF), MDS Foundation and the Tackle Myeloma Foundation (TMF), they unveiled a patient “Statement of Principles” to address the inequalities in reimbursement of cancer therapies. Currently, Medicare and private insurance companies require higher deductibles and co-payments for oral drugs than for IV therapies and inpatient procedures.  However, private insurance is regulated at the state level and Oregon, Indiana and Iowa have laws requiring equal coverage with similar legisl... beth's myeloma blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2453084 Tue, 02 Jun 2009 02:33:55 +0100 2453084 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2299214&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fmore-on-brassage.html The Good Morning America piece on the brassage, for which ABC flew me to NYC for an interview, has gotten lots of pick up. Thanks, Teri, for finding these for me. (Teri, the Cheeky Librarian, is a demon researcher.)WebMD: The Brassage for Wellness? Chicago Sun-Times: 'Brassage' pulled from market after 'GMA' report Your Tango: The Brassage Is a Scam Examiner.com: Buyer Beware of the Brassage KSTP.com: A bra that improves your health? WZZM.com: Need a Brassage? Associated Content: The Brassage and Other Medically Dubious Clothing The Inquisitr: The Brassage Bra: Little Support for Self-Massaging Lingerie College News: The Brassage Wow. All this coverage is a good example of the "food chain" theory of journ... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2299214 Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:47:22 +0100 2299214 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2299215&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fthe-brassage-interview-airs.html I'm putting this one under "quacks." Also under "breasts and boobs" and "cancer myths."The interview that I did last December with JuJu Chang at ABC finally aired this morning, and I think it was a good piece. The story was about a product called the "brassage," which I blogged about quite awhile ago. The manufacturers of the bra claimed that it could prevent breast cancer, which of course it can't. When interviewed by JuJu, the woman behind the bra said she didn't claim that, but asked "could it hurt"? Well, that's not good enough, as I said in the piece. Watch it online: Wellness LingerieTo find the video, go to the link above, and then look at the upper right corner where it says "watch video.... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2299215 Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:51:24 +0100 2299215 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2299219&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2009%2F03%2Ffrom-the-email-box.html Teri, the Cheeky Librarian, e-mailed me about Wellsphere last night. Apparently, she got the same e-mail that many of us have received--asking us to let Wellsphere use the entire contents of our blogs: FOR FREE. I declined the offer, and I'm sure Teri will too. For more on Wellsphere, see: Wellsphere: Use the Contents of My Blog for Free? (I Don't Think So...) Health Central Buys Wellsphere: Let the Exploitation Begin! Recycling DrugsEllana, who is a regular reader of my blog, sent me info on a place in Reno that will take unneeded meds and pass them on. It's a clinic that serves the homeless, so it looks like they will take medicines other than just cancer drugs. Here's the link: Health Access Washoe County I'm going to contact them and fi... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2299219 Fri, 27 Mar 2009 19:34:46 +0100 2299219 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2227102&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2009%2F02%2F2020-interview-airs-friday.html This is so funny. I taped an interview with ABC's 20/20 in December, and it's finally going to air on Friday night. That's exciting, but before I publicize it, I wish I knew what I was going to say on the air. That may sound funny, but my taped conversation with Juju Chang lasted about half an hour, and I really don't know if 20/20 is going to air just a quick 20-second clip, or a longer, more involved piece. One clue: Once I got back home from NYC, the producer e-mailed and asked me to send them some of my family photos. That makes me think: Longer piece. I don't think I SAID anything that I'll be embarrassed to see on national TV, but I do tend to make faces when I talk, not very flattering faces.What I hope comes through is how I fee... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2227102 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:05:16 +0100 2227102 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2149680&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35300&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fmetastatic-liver-cancer%2F%7E3%2FuOSeD8CCvUA%2F Read CJ’s stage iiiC ovarian cancer survivor story, spread to the liver, or share your ovarian cancer survivor stories.   CJ adds a new cancer treatment to our list of cancer treatments from our metastatic liver cancer survivors:   I’m trying some new techniques of healing my soul with my dog.   Seems Patrick Swayze who is being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer also expressed to Barbara Walters: "gotta have my dog".   Which brings our holistic cancer treatment approach to:   chemotherapy treatment alternative cancer treatments or natural cancer cures that boost your immune system a positive mind-set eliminate stress  lead a healthy lifestyle (that especially means exercise for those who don’t move too much)   gotta have a do... Metastatic liver cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2149680 Sun, 25 Jan 2009 16:00:57 +0100 2149680 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2107632&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fso-much-pain-.html I get e-mails and comments to my blog almost every day from people who are either newly diagnosed with cancer or who have a relative who is newly diagnosed. I am, of course, happy that these people write to me, and I try to do what I can to help. Often, just listening--and maybe telling them that they are NOT crazy--is enough. Sometimes they need more practical help, like the woman who wrote to me yesterday from Kansas whose mother-in-law has cancer but who doesn't have good health insurance. The hospital was refusing her treatment until she came up with some money. (I'll come back to this one.)And then there was the comment posted to my blog today, on my post The Assertive Cancer Patient: Is Not Necessarily a 'Good Patient' She wrote:I know that you wrote this ... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2107632 Thu, 15 Jan 2009 20:05:14 +0100 2107632 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2094706&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fcast-of-characters.html New to my blog? Here's the Cast of Characters to help you make sense of it all. JeanneThe author of this blog. An outspoken advocate for the cancer patient’s point of view.   “Even after 10 years living with cancer, I still don’t see myself as a sick person. It’s just not part of who I am.” Read more: About Jeanne Car Guy  Car Guy came into my life because of the Red Corvair. No one should own a car like this 1964 classic without someone like Car Guy for a friend … but that was only the beginning. Read more: Car Guy  Older Son The first glimpse I had of Older Son was a snapshot of him taken when he was just a few months old and living in an orphanage in Kumamoto, Japan. “Do you want this baby?” I was asked. Read ... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2094706 Sat, 10 Jan 2009 21:30:16 +0100 2094706 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2094707&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fcast-of-characters-car-guy.html Car Guy came into my life because of the Red Corvair. No one should own a car like this 1964 classic without someone like Car Guy for a friend … but that was only the beginning.  Car Guy is incredibly handy. He’s the first one I call when something doesn’t work at my house. We’ve also taken road trips together and watched more episodes of “House” than I care to remember.                       Photo: Car Guy in a tight spot at Mesa Verde, Colorado. We’re planning to launch the Car Guy Blog soon, stay tuned for that. (Car Guy has his own fan base on my blog, so it’s time he had one of his own.) See also: The Lavender Festival: One Perfect Day Postcard From Utah: Or, WHERE Did The... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2094707 Sat, 10 Jan 2009 20:52:33 +0100 2094707 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2094708&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fcast-of-characters-older-son.html The first glimpse I had of Older Son was a snapshot of him taken when he was just a few months old and living in an orphanage in Kumamoto, Japan. “Do you want this baby?” I was asked. Of course, there was no question in my mind that he was my child from that day forward, although my then-husband and I had to wait several months before we could take Older Son home with us.  Fast-forward 24 years, and Older Son is a college graduate with a degree in business from the University of Washington. He’s working and living at home again, helping me pay the mortgage. But that doesn’t begin to describe the person my older son has become—extremely popular (he has dozens of friends), tough (try negotiating with him sometime), sweet (he’s been known to prepare a Valentine’s Day picn... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2094708 Sat, 10 Jan 2009 20:29:09 +0100 2094708 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2094709&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fcast-of-characters-younger-son.html Artist, musician, history nut. Skilled debater of political and social topics, including religion (He’s an atheist at a Jesuit college).  I was never happier in my life than during the nine months I was pregnant with Younger Son. And I gave birth to a mellow, happy, go-along kind of child (He’s made up for that since) whose first word was “Look!” Younger Son and I love to travel together, and I’ve taken him to Gettysburg, Washington D.C., Charleston, and Japan. Also Hawaii and a great cross-country train trip just last spring. He plans to become a high school history teacher. More about Younger Son: Surviving the Holidays: Christmas Music The Dog Has Died Younger Son's Letter to Seattle Prep Home Again, Home Again @ Jeanne Sather 2009.  (Source: Th... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2094709 Sat, 10 Jan 2009 20:19:41 +0100 2094709 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2078688&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fthe-best-of-the-assertive-cancer-patient.html I've been writing this blog for a little longer than two years. That's a total of 1,062 posts, and 3,026 comments.Among them are a handful that I consider my best:Cancermatch.com?  My search for a Canadian husband brought me more press coverage than any other post on this blog: Six solid weeks of interviews, resulting in page one stories in the Toronto Star and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and interviews with several Canadian radio programs and two Seattle TV stations. Also lots of very polite hate mail from Canadians.Boycott October I'm best known in the cancer world for my opposition to pink-ribbon cause marketing, which I call the Boycott of October or the Battle for October. I've written plenty of anti-pink-ribbon rants, of which my favorite is the one about&#01... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2078688 Sun, 04 Jan 2009 18:42:05 +0100 2078688 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1944381&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2008%2F11%2F08%2Ffighting-cancer-still-fabulous%2F Shopping for an inexpensive gift for the afflicted loved one in your life? Consider these. Many colors and styles available. Most designs come in note cards. pins and coffee mugs as well as shirts. [Ed. note: I have no connection to the companies/organizations involved and receive no compensation for clicks or purchases.] More cancer/fabulous here. More newsboy/cancer here. More nurses/cancer here. More new/cancer-free here. More oncologist/homeboy here. More work/cancer here. More foxtrot/cancer here. Posted in Cancer, Humor   Tagged: cancer patient, cancer survivor, gift, holiday, shopping    (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1944381 Sat, 08 Nov 2008 18:36:31 +0100 1944381 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1880295&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fbreast-cancer%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fturning-to-you-my-friends-during-cancer-and-tough-times%2F On Saturday I visited my eldest son in a Toronto hospital and today I will spend the day in the hospital while my husband has brachytherapy for his prostate cancer. I see a theme here. As I do with all of my friends I am asking for you to pray for my husband as he goes through this procedure and battles cancer. I am also asking you to keep my son, Josh, in your prayers as he awaits an opening in a treatment facility. Kathy-Ellen (Source: Life with Breast Cancer) Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1880295 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:23:42 +0100 1880295 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1877274&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2008%2F10%2F15%2Flove-death-in-the-lost-found%2F It was with some trepidation that I began blogging. I was discouraged by the makeshift tone of blogs. There would be a few breathless entries. Then the entries would grow farther apart in time. Sometimes there were apologies for not keeping current. Then a short goodbye. Or, more often, an abrupt cessation. Scott Swaner (1968-2006) “People move on to other things, other projects,” a friend explained. “But we still have their words.” One blogger’s name was Scott Swaner. I found him the way one usually does in the post-millenium world. You do a search, or someone sends you a link. Somehow I became aware of a man who was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer and died in 2006 at the age of 38. I must confess: I have a thing for pancreatic cancer patients. W... Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1877274 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:11:46 +0100 1877274 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1866507&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2008%2F10%2F09%2Fwishing-and-hoping%2F Wouldn’t it be jolly if only the people we disliked got sick and people we liked stayed healthy? Maybe not. Such a scenario would mean spending days, weeks or months in close quarters with (or paying for the care of) someone we don’t like. Unless we planned to throw the sick to the wolves for dinner, and most people could not do that. Despite plenty of evidence to the contrary, the “negative thinking” = cancer myth persists (see comment # 8). You’d be surprised how many believe the fiction that “nice” people don’t get cancer, and “negative” people do. Santa Claus? Remember when you believed in him? But you were just a child. Now you’re grown, and you rightly demand proof for wild stories and fairy tales. Recently a friend ... Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1866507 Fri, 10 Oct 2008 03:00:06 +0100 1866507 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1854150&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2008%2F10%2F05%2Fthe-sweet-lif%2F Once a month a group of friends and I get together to discuss one of life’s big questions. Last month the question was: What is happiness? As the discussion progressed, two more questions emerged. At what point does happiness bleed over into ignorance and idiocy? At what point does anger become destructive instead of instructive? These days it’s all too common to pick up the paper and discover that a dozen people were shot, and the killer’s neighbors say he was a quiet man, a good neighbor, and they can’t believe he did this. The killer was that adept at disguising his rage. Till now. In the Ken Burns series The War, Sascha Weinzheimer told the story of how she nearly starved to death in a prison camp in the Philippines. After the war ended and Weinzheimer return... Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1854150 Sun, 05 Oct 2008 23:05:16 +0100 1854150 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1815405&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35302&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FWhitePebble%2F%7E3%2F399838866%2F Via Jeanne Sather, we have… The Assertive Cancer Patient : Sunday: More Cancer Myths. My personal favorite debunking is that of Cancer Myth 1: The risk of dying from cancer in the United States is increasing. Respondents Who Agreed: 68 percent Origin of Myth: Many people believe that their risk for cancer is growing because cancer figures are sometimes reported out of context. The actual number of people who are diagnosed and who die of cancer each year has indeed grown — because the U.S. population is growing larger, and is aging. Cancer is more common among the elderly, so more cases are to be expected as the average age of the U.S. population increases. A closer look at the numbers by age group shows the cancer risk for Americans is actually dropping. Reality: The risk of ... white pebble blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1815405 Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:17:11 +0100 1815405 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1734105&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35300&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.metastaticlivercancer.org%2F2008-08-26-cancer-treatment%2Fmore-metastatic-liver-cancer-minds-out-of-control%2F We are getting lots of cancer stories reacties sharing how the mind of a metastatic liver cancer patient runs out of control as well as his body is. Read how we were not prepared for this and read Donna’s metastatic liver cancer story of her husband "seeing things".   Not prepared for the mind playing tricks on father   We were not warned by our doctors that father would see huge spiders crawling at the end of his bed… All our GP told us was that:   we could call our GP for anything anytime it was needed  father’s pain would increase and it should be stabilized by giving more pain medicine. The side effect of these pain medicines: constipation should be monitored closely and laxatives should be given accordingly   The latter was alread... Metastatic liver cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1734105 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:01:25 +0100 1734105 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1649115&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35300&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.metastaticlivercancer.org%2F2008-07-24-cancer-treatment%2Fmetastatic-liver-cancer-end-symptoms%2F You can easily compare the metastatic liver cancer end symptoms to your beloved snowman melting away in front of your eyes… It’s already bad enough that modern health care isn’t able to detect metastatic liver cancer symptoms early. Doctors don’t prepare you for the deterioration of the liver cancer patient either….   All the information we got from our GP:   father has 3 to 6 months to live, make sure to focus on "quality of life"  he will get more pain, so you will have to give more painkillers  painkillers make a person constipated, so you will have to monitor that as well and react accordingly   Sounds easy, but reality is far different. And notice, the specialists said nothing about this, although one specialist said:... Metastatic liver cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1649115 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:59:37 +0100 1649115 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1623069&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fbreast-cancer%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fsex-and-cancer-do-docs-focus-more-on-mens-needs%2F I am learning a lot going through the process of decision-making with my husband regarding his recent prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment. For one thing, doctors are taking his sexuality very seriously and how it will be affected by treatment seems to be a priority. So I wonder, is this because he is a man? How come no one prepares us for the bad body image, loss of sexual desire and even the loss of sensation that is associated with having a breast removed? Is it less important because we are women? I know that for women of child-bearing years there seems to be a lot of support to ensure that fertility is still intact, but that isn’t the same as our sexuality. What about single women of any age who are still dating and needing to feel like they are sexual beings? There is really ver... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1623069 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:37:44 +0100 1623069 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1542960&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2008%2F06%2Fthis-weeks-prev.html I'm running behind on pretty much all fronts, so if you are waiting to hear from me, please ping me again. As always, e-mail is the best way to reach me. I keep my home phone turned off, and only about a half dozen people have my cell number. I don't like to talk on the phone ... unless it's late at night, and I'm talking to Car Guy, but that's another story. I'm so far behind on posts to this blog that I suspect many of the stories will never see the light of day. That's too bad, because I have some really interesting research from ASCO that I'd like to get up, but I also need to move on to the planning for the First Annual Cancer Bloggers Reunion, which is now less than a month away. So, here's what I expect to get up this week: Big Mistake at the UW I talked to a woman yesterday ... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1542960 Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:46:17 +0100 1542960 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1500025&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35300&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.metastaticlivercancer.org%2F2008-06-07-cancer-treatment%2Fmetastatic-liver-cancer-3%2F Another metastatic liver cancer story: from Idana, posted 3 months ago on Pammy’s Liver cancer story : please give your hugs! Idana’s metastatic liver cancer story I’m reading this….. My dad just got diagnosed with metastasic liver cancer, and he is feeling terrible, so do we. We will see the oncologist in two days for the first time, doubts and fear is not nice. He has two base ball sized masses on liver, some smaller ones on lungs and bones. Two months ago he seemed very good and now he is pale and skinny, he seems very week, and desperate about pain, taking like 60 mg of morphine twice a day… I was making some research when I found you…. I’m so sorry some of us have to go through this…. it is very painful for us to see a beloved one go through such pain…. Let�... Metastatic liver cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1500025 Sat, 07 Jun 2008 15:38:59 +0100 1500025 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1497324&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2008%2F06%2Fe-mail-from-kom.html I found this e-mail in my gmail account this morning: On 6/5/08, Julie Hurvitz wrote: Hi Jeanne, I’m contacting you today on behalf of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the world's largest breast cancer organization. Cynthia Nixon has recently joined Komen for the Cure as an Ambassador for the organization. The award-winning actress, currently on the big screen as ‘Miranda’ in Sex and the City: The Movie, is not only the daughter of a two-time breast cancer survivor, but also a breast cancer survivor herself. Cynthia knows that whether through a personal diagnosis or that of a friend or family member, breast cancer is a disease that many of us know all too well. That’s why she recently recorded a series of exclusive video PSAs with Komen for the Cure. Cynthia’s messages... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1497324 Thu, 05 Jun 2008 17:43:29 +0100 1497324 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1497325&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2008%2F06%2Fif-youre-trying.html If you're trying to reach me, the best way right now (and normally, too) is to e-mail me at jeanne.sather@gmail.com. It took me two days to get home from ASCO on USAirways (which was having a VERY BAD couple of days getting its passengers where they wanted to go) for various reasons and I'm pretty exhausted. So I need to take it easy as I slowly get back up to speed--answering voice mail, paying bills, sorting out all sorts of paperwork, doing laundry, catching up with my dog, who isn't home yet, and then writing lots more about ASCO. And of course I haven't seen either of my two sons yet, although Younger Son and I talked on the phone yesterday. Older Son is not returning my calls, for reasons yet to be determined. And I need to catch up with Car Guy. I'm making him an ice cream sunda... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1497325 Thu, 05 Jun 2008 17:04:01 +0100 1497325 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1480559&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2008%2F05%2Fasco-arrived-in.html I arrived here at the Hyatt Rosemont in Chicago last night after almost a three-hour delay leaving Seattle. None of us at Gate D-6 were complaining about the delay, however, not when we heard the reason--thundershowers, hail, and tornado warnings (or watches, I forget which) in the Chicago area, which would have made it tricky to land. By the time we did fly, everything went smoothly, but I watched the TV news last night at the hotel (while eating a room service dinner of Cobb salad and garlic mashed potatoes--yum! comfort food) and heard mention of 13 tornados and hail stones the size of grapefruit! That tickled my funny bone, because it's usually tumors that are compared to fruit, including grapefruit. See: Cancerous Fruit Jet lag kept me in bed until 9 a.m. (7 a.m. back home in S... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1480559 Sat, 31 May 2008 14:51:14 +0100 1480559 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1465960&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2008%2F05%2Fcnn-interview.html I did a quick interview with Elizabeth Cohen of CNN while I was in Oregon, and the story has driven traffic to my blog, despite the fact that I only got a mention at the end. Elizabeth's column is a quick-hit to-do list of what to do when you've been diagnosed with cancer, and I think she covers all the bases pretty well, although I would have liked to see stronger cautions about the downside of doing Web research when you are newly diagnosed. She found me because she talked to Shelley Lewis, author of a new book on breast cancer, who interviewed me, and also Jacqueline, for the book. I've been carrying it around, but haven't read it yet. Will do that soon. Here's the one graf: While you're looking for information, don't forget Web sites that can inspire you. Shelley Lewis, author of... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1465960 Fri, 23 May 2008 15:53:28 +0100 1465960 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1458403&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2008%2F05%2Fcorvallis-tuesd.html The Assertive Cancer Patient Talks About: The (High) Cost of Cancer Drugs, Drug Repositories, Her Search for a Canadian Husband, Boycotting October, Breast Cancer Barbie (and Friends), and More! May 20, 2008, 3:30 to 5 p.m. Waldo Hall 201A More reading, from my blog: Death Death Health & Happiness Cancer Bloggers Join Forces Again: Health and Happiness Health Insurance Why We Need Government Health Insurance Medical Billing/Insurance Woes My Search for a Canadian Husband CancerMatch.com? How to marry a Canadian The High Cost of Cancer Drugs Why Is Herceptin So Expensive in the U.S.? The (High) Cost of Cancer Treatment: I The (High) Cost of Cancer Treatment: 2 Errors in Medical Bills Medical Bills: Errors, Padded Bills, and General Craziness Drug Repositories Don't Dump Those... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1458403 Tue, 20 May 2008 19:24:13 +0100 1458403 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1396301&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35300&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.metastaticlivercancer.org%2F2008-04-25-cancer-treatment%2Fmetastatic-liver-cancer-3%2F Another metastatic liver cancer story: from Idana, posted 3 months ago on Pammy’s Liver cancer story : please give your hugs! Idana’s metastatic liver cancer story I’m reading this….. My dad just got diagnosed with metastasic liver cancer, and he is feeling terrible, so do we. We will see the oncologist in two days for the first time, doubts and fear is not nice. He has two base ball sized masses on liver, some smaller ones on lungs and bones. Two months ago he seemed very good and now he is pale and skinny, he seems very week, and desperate about pain, taking like 60 mg of morphine twice a day… I was making some research when I found you…. I’m so sorry some of us have to go through this…. it is very painful for us to see a beloved one go through such pain…. Let�... Metastatic liver cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1396301 Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:00:37 +0100 1396301 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1391324&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2F275493466%2F As proclaimed by President George W. Bush on April 1, 2008 in lieu of Cancer Control Month 2008: During Cancer Control Month, we honor cancer victims and survivors, raise awareness of the impact cancer has on our citizens, and underscore our commitment to battling this deadly disease. Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the United States, and we remain committed to making the medical advances necessary to prevent and treat this disease. Scientists and medical professionals have made great progress in developing innovative treatments, improving diagnostic tools, and increasing our understanding of cancer. These advances have helped people with cancer live longer, healthier lives. Cancer Control Month is April — and the word the first comes to mind (each time I think of canc... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1391324 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:00:52 +0100 1391324 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1370663&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2008%2F04%2Fthe-assertive-c.html This is a chapter from the book I'm working on, called 'The Assertive Cancer Patient: A Troublemaker’s Guide to Getting the Best Cancer Treatment Possible.' I hope to have the book done by the end of 2008, but who knows? This blog takes up most of my time. Jeanne I call them “MIA doctors”—doctors who go missing in action when their patients are dying. Cancer patients do not expect the doctor who has cared for them throughout their illness to turn and walk away once they are terminally ill. But that is what happens more often than not. The doctor hands them off to hospice for palliative care or sends them home to die, and that’s it: These dying patients never see or hear from their doctors again. Often, during their last appointment oncologists don’t even say goodbye or ac... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1370663 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:59:58 +0100 1370663 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1305277&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2008%2F03%2Frerun-the-ass-1.html I originally posted this in August of 2006, one of the first posts to this blog. As I reread it, I realize how true it has been for me. There are a number of clichés in the English language that link the words “healthy” and “happy.” We say, “As long as my children are healthy and happy …” Or, “As long as I have my health …” The underlying assumption is that you can’t be very happy if you have a serious illness. Well, that has not been my experience. The years I have been living with cancer have certainly included some of the worse moments in my life, but they have also included some of the best. I don’t think I would have experienced life during the past few years with the same degree of intensity and joy if I had not been diagnosed with cancer. I am not alone i... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1305277 Sat, 15 Mar 2008 17:04:54 +0100 1305277 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1303139&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2008%2F03%2Frerun-the-asser.html I wrote this post back in October of 2006, in the early days of my blog. I think that I cope with my cancer quite well. I weather the ups and downs of treatment, I face the fears that surround each round of new tests, I even deal pretty well with the recurrences, when my cancer pops up yet again. And through it all I have a mostly happy life—mothering my two sons, writing, gardening, caring for a menagerie of pets, and spending time with a group of supportive friends. But I am not a superhero. I can’t tell you how many times someone has said to me, “I don’t know how you do it. I certainly couldn’t.” I know that these comments are meant to be compliments, but they are annoying, partly because they set up the expectation that I will always be brave and strong. They are al... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1303139 Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:06:37 +0100 1303139 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1286491&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2F247502858%2F For the Moffitt Cancer Center’s Department of Nutrition and their Dietitians, March is a month-long celebration of National Nutrition Month. Together with the other medical disciplines, Dietitians help in providing quality care and comprehensive medical nutrition therapy, including: Prevention and treatment of malnutrition Counseling on diet and cancer prevention Counseling on dietary supplements Provision of tube-feeding recommendations Food safety guidance for patients with decreased immunity The month-long observance of nutrition is geared towards Moffitt patients and employees. Spot Moffitt dietitians wearing pink on March 10, Registered Dietitian Day. Registered dietitians have degrees in nutrition, dietetics, public health or related fields, and most have a master’s degree.... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1286491 Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:22:45 +0100 1286491 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1181874&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2F224236772%2F ‘Desperate Housewives’ star Marcia Cross went to Capitol Hill last week, lobbying Congress to pass the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2007 to end “drive-through” mastectomies for women forced to leave the hospital hours after surgery. Marcia Cross is campaigning to give women the choice to recuperate for at least 48 hours following a mastectomy and was joined by Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and Lifetime network executive Meredith Wagner. Lifetime has collected more than 20 million signatures for the petition on its Web site, according to the network. “It’s such a simple bill that it’s hard for me to understand why it’s been languishing in Congress for 10 years,” Cross said We... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1181874 Mon, 28 Jan 2008 00:00:36 +0100 1181874 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1177609&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2008%2F01%2Ftheres-obnoxiou.html CNN has an article Are you an obnoxious patient? that at first glance would get my dander up--doctors firing patients for being assertive. But on closer reading, I agree with most of what the author has to say. HOWEVER, one thing I would add: What seems assertive to one person may be obnoxious to another. So choose a doctor who you are comfortable discussing your care with, who has time for you, and who doesn't dismiss your concerns. Even if you do bring in a stack of printouts off the Web ... Full disclosure: Have I ever been "fired" by a doctor? The answer is yes, but I would have fired her if she hadn't fired me first. Choosing the right doctor isn't about blame--although that doctor made a number of mistakes in my care, including writing the wrong orders for my chemo--It's ab... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1177609 Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:08:13 +0100 1177609 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1162083&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2F219134305%2F Speaking of prostate cancer, it is important to catch it early, as with any other type of cancer. Early cancer detection increases response to treatment, the chance of curing the cancer and patient survival. Most especially, it may prevent the patient from undergoing surgery. As we know, however advanced procedures there may have, surgery doesn’t come with no risks. As I was searching for prostate cancer, I found this YouTube video entitled: Close-up View of Robotic Surgery for Prostate Cancer (embedding is disabled, so i just link to the video). Share This (Source: Cancer Commentary) Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1162083 Sat, 19 Jan 2008 00:02:55 +0100 1162083 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1084125&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2007%2F12%2Fthe-assertive-c.html Last week, my radiation oncologist, Dr. Eulau, refused to give me an antibiotic for my bronchitis/upper respiratory infection/whatever it is that is making me spit up green globs of slime and feel like shit. Dr. E said that I would have to have this infection for THREE WHOLE WEEKS, before he would give me an antibiotic. Well, sorry, Dr. E, but you're wrong on this one. I've now had this lovely infection for going on two weeks, and it's worse, not better. I also am battling the infection on top of anemia (caused by radiation and chemo), constant pain (broken bones and bone mets), and a host of other problems that I ranted about yesterday. (Read yesterday's rant.) So today, when I see him after my radiation therapy treatment, I'm going to ask again for antibiotics. If he tells me ... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1084125 Mon, 10 Dec 2007 19:05:58 +0100 1084125 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=917869&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fwhile-i-have-yo.html While I have all this media attention, for 15 minutes, anyway, I want to put the word out that I am looking for a book publisher. The book is an in-your-face handbook on surviving with cancer, a companion to this blog, "The Assertive Cancer Patient: Living with cancer—and an attitude." Heavy on attitude and humor, but also full of useful strategies for negotiating the cancer world, which is a world like no other. The Assertive Cancer Patient Handbook Chapters include: How to Marry a Canadian The ad that started it all: CancerMatch.com? The rest of the posts: Dating How to Avoid Medical Mistakes (the hottest topic on my blog, most weeks) Medical Mistakes How to Keep From Going Insane in October, Whether You Have Breast Cancer or Not Boycott October How to Handle Medical Bi... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=917869 Mon, 01 Oct 2007 19:55:56 +0100 917869 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=825744&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2F144708945%2F What if you are ill with cancer, can you still travel? I think it depends on your physical condition (like if you can still walk or not in so much pain) and where you are going. And then, there’s the list of what to bring, like you medication kit and your phone book directory on whom and where the nearest to call in case there is a life-threatening emergency. Of course, you cannot travel alone – somebody else should accompany you. Either if you are just going on a road trip somewhere or flying overseas. Speaking of flying overseas, you might face some problems with getting travel insurance because you might be refused. Like in this particular story: A Shropshire cancer sufferer who spent her life savings on a dream holiday for her husband faces losing the trip because she has been refu... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=825744 Thu, 16 Aug 2007 09:18:42 +0100 825744 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=658522&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2007%2F06%2Fwho_or_what_is_.html These are questions I kick around every day of my life with cancer, especially since I began writing this blog back in September and officially identified myself as “The Assertive Cancer Patient.” Of course, I think I was an assertive cancer patient before the birth of the blog, but that was my coming out of the closet, so to speak. I think there are at least three good reasons to be an assertive cancer patient:
 • You will get better care. 
 • You will probably live longer. 
 • You will feel better about yourself and your illness. Here are some more characteristics of an assertive cancer patient: The Assertive Cancer Patient: Is Not a Superhero The Assertive Cancer Patient: Feels Surprisingly Happy The Assertive Cancer Patient: Chooses the Right Doctor The Asse... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=658522 Tue, 05 Jun 2007 06:04:03 +0100 658522 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=556572&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2007%2F04%2Fthe_assertive_c.html The minute you were told that you had cancer, your first thought most likely was, “I am going to die.” I don’t know anyone with cancer who didn’t respond this way. Then, once you have survived your first bout with cancer, you live with the fear that your cancer will return. You count off the months and days to the five-year cancer-free mark, when, for most cancers, you are considered cured. And you probably assume, as I did, that if your cancer metastasizes, it certainly will kill you soon. If you are reading this blog and you have had one bout with cancer, my hope and prayer for you is that your cancer will never return and you will continue to be healthy. But, for many of us, it is time to redefine cancer. In the old days, when cancer treatments were cruder, the disease wa... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=556572 Fri, 20 Apr 2007 19:35:56 +0100 556572 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=515338&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2007%2F04%2Fthe_best_of_the.html To celebrate the eight-month anniversary of my blog, I decided to put together a roundup of “the best of The Assertive Cancer Patient.” These are the stories that pop up whenever I check my stats—stories that people are finding through Google searches or through links from other blogs. And one or two are here because they are the ones that I’m most proud of. Breast Cancer Barbie Cancer Movies Don’t Write Me Off Jeanne’s Diary Jeanne’s Soapboxes Medical Mistakes Stories I haven’t gotten to yet, include: More on Medical Mistakes, The Truth About Charity Care, Coping, and What THIS Cancer Patient Wants. Coming soon to a blog near you ... Jeanne (Source: The Assertive Cancer Patient) The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=515338 Sun, 01 Apr 2007 18:22:39 +0100 515338 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=507897&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2007%2F03%2Fhow_to_get_what_1.html I've been in cancer treatment for a long time, and when my long-time oncologist moved to Arizona and I had to look around for a new doctor, one of the most important issues for me was that I would have the same nurse every time I went in for treatment. (Except when she's out sick or on vacation, of course.) This helps me feel safe in the treatment center, and also helps prevent mistakes. Once I chose a new doctor, I had to change cancer centers, but my new doctor told me I could choose a regular nurse to give me my treatment. But it turned out not to be that easy. The treatment center balked at my request. After discussing this problem with my doctor a couple of times, I experienced the Afternoon From Hell at the treatment center. Here is the e-mail I sent my doctor afterward: The ... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=507897 Wed, 28 Mar 2007 22:34:25 +0100 507897 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=505216&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2007%2F03%2Fhow_to_get_what.html When you have cancer, how do you get what you need from the doctors, nurses, technicians, and others who hold your life in their hands? The answer is remarkably simple: You ask. You ask politely, but persistently, and you keep asking until you are satisfied. It really is just that simple, but that doesn't mean that it is all that easy for many of us to do. It becomes easier once you have trained yourself out of the habit of being a "good patient." Good patients do what the doctor (or nurse or pharmacist or whomever in a white coat) tells them to. But being a good patient can leave you angry, frustrated, anxious, depressed ... and with no outlet for these feelings (other than the friends and family who may listen to you rant, but THEY can't fix things). Bottled up negative emotions c... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=505216 Wed, 28 Mar 2007 02:53:25 +0100 505216 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=492121&cid=t_143339_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2007%2F03%2Fa_sample_from_m.html I love blogging, and this is why: Other people understand what I'm writing and why I'm writing it. And they tell me so, in ways that make me feel that my words are valuable. Here's one e-mail that came in today, from a Seattle doctor: "Thank you for the work and energy you've put into helping those living with illness to find their voice. I'm a family physician living with chronic kidney failure for the past ten years. I've been writing about the experience, but haven't published most of it. I totally agree with your premise that assertive patients live longer, fuller and happier lives. "We need universal health care in Washington state. I'm working to improve access to care, but see it as a long term goal until more people get it on their radar. "Keep up the wonderful blogging. I hop... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=492121 Wed, 21 Mar 2007 05:31:00 +0100 492121