|
||
BY ELIZABETH WHITTINGTON | MAY 18, 2012
We are all gearing up for the largest oncology meeting of the year, the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. What's great about this meeting is we hear both the up-and-coming, early phase studies, but also the late-phase studies. These studies could truly change clinical practice for patients.
If you have a minute, take a look at the ASCO schedule and let us know if there is anything that you want to know more about!
RELATED POSTS
COMMENTS (0) |
PRINT |
SUBSCRIBE
BY KATHERINE LAGOMARSINO | MAY 18, 2012
I cover CURE's childhood cancer beat. It's a topic I've been interested in since volunteering in the local children's hospital playrooms, some of which are located in the cancer wing . I also happen to know and adore numerous children who are a result of fertility treatments. So when news items began popping up recently stating that children born as a result of fertility drugs were twice as likely to develop acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common form of childhood cancer, I tuned in for reasons both personal and professional.
After initially reading various news organizations' interpretations of that study, and not the actual study itself, it was impossible to determine how serious a threat these fertility drugs really were, which fertility drugs were potentially problematic or if any were even harmful at all. Some media outlets went for the attention-grabbing headlines: "Fertility Drugs More than Double Childhood Cancer Risk, Scientists Say"; "Common IVF Fertility Drugs 'Increase Childhood Leukemia Risk'"; "IVF drugs linked to childhood cancer." It makes you wonder how many parents of children conceived with the help of fertility drugs panicked when they saw those headlines.
The actual study, however, is far less conclusive than those headlines suggest. True, French researchers found an association between ovulation-stimulating drugs and childhood cancer, but there was also an association between childhood cancer and couples who took longer than a year to conceive naturally. And, to be clear, association is not synonymous with causation. And the term link cannot be interchanged with cause. The lead researcher admitted further study was needed.
In other words, fertility drugs may or may not increase the risk of childhood cancer. This is not as bold of a statement, but certainly a more accurate one.
Studies that are not quite ready for prime-time come out every day, and sometimes the media picks up them. Indeed, some studies are more interesting than others, and what a thrill as a journalist to report on brand new findings. But if those findings aren't given proper context, the potential for causing unnecessary stress and worry among an audience that probably already has its fair share of both is high. Perhaps we as journalists need to be more generous with our use of the word "may" in our headlines.
RELATED POSTSCOMMENTS (1) |
PRINT |
SUBSCRIBE
BY SUZANNE LINDLEY | MAY 16, 2012
I stepped outside on May 1st and couldn't see any of the horses. As I walked down the fence line, I noticed that the geldings were hanging out in the barn. I didn't think much about it as I scanned the pasture for the mares. Nearing the end of our property I could see that they were standing in the far back corner. Lucy was close to the fence and after a minute or two, I realized that her leg was caught and I could also see a still brown and white form at her feet. I felt a lump form in my throat as I realized that the neighbor's dog must have been chasing her. I assumed she had kicked out at him and connected. I ran back to the garage and grabbed the wire cutters and a shovel; my heart racing. My first task would be to get Lucy's foot loose. I didn't allow myself to think about the poor dog. Home alone, I could only hope that my new mare would remain calm. I called Ronnie and asked him to check on me in a few minutes. I reached Lucy and marveled at how the other mares were standing quietly around her, especially since she had only been a part of the herd for a few short weeks. I worked quickly and calmly to free her leg, cutting wires and pushing back the fence. I patted her shoulder and felt relief that there wasn't a spot on her and was grateful, but surprised, that the other mares kept the dogs back. I was thankful for their help. I reached for the shovel, dreading my next task. I had not allowed myself to look in that direction. Turning, I was greeted by one of the most incredible sights of my life. The lifeless form I expected to see was not that of a dog but instead the most elegant and beautiful filly I have ever laid eyes on. She was no longer laying in a heap, but standing on wobbly legs making her way to Lucy's side. What I would give to have seen the look on my own face!!! A vet checked Lucy as healthy, and slightly overweight, but not pregnant just weeks before. The now eagerly nursing foal proved that doctor wrong...and was quite a shock for me!
The baby nuzzled at her mom who let out a calming whinny. Joyful tears began to stream as I watched Lucy and her little bundle of joy.
Life is........ full of surprises! and mine just happens to be an "Elegant May Surprise!"
RELATED POSTSCOMMENTS (0) |
PRINT |
SUBSCRIBE
BY JON GARINN | MAY 2, 2012
I'm preparing to leave Dallas for New Orleans and the 37th annual congress of the Oncology Nursing Society. Since this will be my first time to attend the congress, I'm eager to greet our many oncology nurse readers and receive their feedback. I'm also excited to welcome the finalists in our Extraordinary Healer contest, as well as those who nominated them for this national honor.
I've heard from several readers how difficult it is to identify a single nurse who made a difference in their treatment. It takes a team, they say, and an effective team has few, if any, standout players. While I appreciate the sentiment, I also know there are always star performers. We hope to highlight some of their work tomorrow night at the grand event, hosted by another star performer: Diahnne Carroll.
I'm old enough to remember being inspired by her Emmy-nominated and Golden Globe-winning performance in Julia, a groundbreaking television series, in which she played nurse Julia Baker. She could not have known in 1968 that less than three decades later--after successful turns in movies and on Broadway--she would rely on the comforting care of oncology nurses to deal with a diagnosis of and treatment for breast cancer. Since then, she has become a powerful advocate for early detection and prevention of cancer, encouraging women to get regular mammograms.
I'll have the privilege of meeting Ms. Carroll tomorrow night, as well as the Extraordinary Healers she will honor. I can't wait!
Then, on Friday, I'll attend a presentation on PARP inhibitors, therapies used to treat breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, ovarian and skin cancers. Stay tuned to our blogs for the latest from the annual congress!
RELATED POSTSCOMMENTS (0) |
PRINT |
SUBSCRIBE
BY KATHY LATOUR | MAY 2, 2012
New Orleans is hosting the Oncology Nursing Society Congress this year, which means the angel energy is at an all time high here as thousands of nurses arrive from across the United States. On Thursday evening CURE presents one nurse with the Extraordinary Healer award, an annual honor we bestow on one of three finalists from hundreds of nurses nominated by our readers.
And it does take people with something special to become oncology nurses. They could have chosen nursing careers that required much less in the way of emotional commitment than working with cancer patients, and yet they are fiercely committed to their patients whether as inpatient nurses or outpatient chemo nurses or nurse practitioners or oncology nurse specialists.
At one time I spoke to small groups of oncology nurses on a regular basis, and I used to begin by passing out small pads of paper and asking them to write down why they had chosen oncology nursing. I would give them about 5 minutes and then tell them to stop writing. Without taking up what they had written, I would tell them that I knew what they had written – I knew why they had become oncology nurses.
"You became oncology nurses because you really like the hours, right?" I would say, and they would laugh and shake their heads at the absurdity. "Oh," I said, "That's right, it's because you like the pay," and again they would elbow each other in unspoken agreement that money was never enough and it had nothing to do with it. "No," I would say in response to them, "then it has to be that you really like body fluids."
This would set them laughing. "No, that's not it."
And then I would get serious and tell them what I did know they had written.
They were "called" in one of any number of ways to oncology nursing. A family member had died of cancer, prompting a vow that they would be there for patients in their lives – or they had chosen oncology after nursing school when one patient had touched them during that part of training when they didn't know what area they wanted. And my favorite – always when I spoke there would be in any group of 20 nurses at least two who had vowed they would NEVER do oncology. They hated it. They would do anything else, but not oncology. And then for some reason they ended up in oncology.
I heard stories about returning from maternity leave and oncology was the only opening and they agreed to it, "only until something else came up" and that was 25 years ago.
Or, they wanted a transfer from an existing job because of one reason or another and the only opening was in oncology and they took it until something else opened up and now knew they were meant to be there. That's why I say the angel energy is high this week. These men and women are the chosen nurses to be there for us at the worst time of our lives, when we are frightened, sick, angry, confused and, did I say terrified. They may have chosen oncology or it may have chosen them, but it's where they belong and they know it. And so do we.
RELATED POSTSCOMMENTS (0) |
PRINT |
SUBSCRIBE
BY ELIZABETH WHITTINGTON | MAY 1, 2012
With Facebook now adding an "organ donation" to its timeline feature, Chemobabe, a breast cancer survivor and blogger, brought up an interesting point on her Facebook page:
FB plans to add "organ donor" status to the timeline. Cancer survivors aren't allowed to donate organs. Will we look like selfish a-holes? Does the good of drumming up donors outweigh our potential stigmatization? (You can read and post comments here.)
The comments are across the board, including those who didn't realize that survivors have limited ability to donate organs and blood, which is a great topic all to itself. The Accidental Amazon touched on organ donation in a recent blog "Blood and Organ Donation After Cancer."
Personally, I can't be a bone marrow donor, and it upsets me. I know the need is out there, and there is nothing I can personally do except spread the word on how important it is.
But to go back to Chemobabe's point, I think this may be a learning opportunity for both survivors and non-survivors about organ donation. And while cancer patients and survivors may not be able to include "organ donor" on their timeline, they can designate "overcame an illness," but that brings another whole set of questions, doesn't it?
Would you designate the date you "overcame cancer" on Facebook?
RELATED POSTSCOMMENTS (3) |
PRINT |
SUBSCRIBE
BY LENA HUANG | APRIL 27, 2012
The American Cancer Society released new guidelines that recommend good nutrition and exercise for survivors to reduce the chance of recurrence and increase the possibility of disease-free survival. The ACS formulated these recommendations after convening a group of researchers and thought leaders in nutrition, exercise and cancer survivorship to evaluate current evidence and best practices on these topics. Among the committee's recommendations:
Minimizing weight gain during treatment may be important for survivors who are overweight and also for those of normal weight.
Evidence suggests that exercise is not only safe during cancer treatment but can also improve physical functioning, quality of life, fatigue and may even increase the rate of completion of chemotherapy.
Exercise after cancer diagnosis is associated with a reduced risk of recurrence and improved mortality in many cancer survivor groups, including breast, colorectal, ovarian and prostate.
Results of observational studies suggest diet and nutrition may affect risk of recurrence, cancer progression and overall survival in those treated for cancer.
This report also specifies nutrition and exercise advice by cancer types including breast, colorectal, endometrial, ovarian, lung, prostate, head and neck, and hematologic cancers. It also includes a helpful section on common questions and answers about nutrition, exercise and cancer survivorship. Some questions covered are:
Should alcohol be avoided during treatment? (Generally yes, or kept to a minimum, based on type and stage of disease.)
Are organic foods recommended for cancer survivors? (At present it is not known if organic foods are more effective in reducing recurrence than foods produced by other farming methods.)
Does sugar feed cancer? (No, however products high in added sugar may add substantial calories, resulting in weight gain, which may affect cancer outcomes.)
Can dietary supplements reduce the risk of recurrence? (No evidence at this time suggests supplements will reduce the chances of recurrence.)
Should I exercise during cancer treatment? (Evidence suggests that exercise is safe and can improve physical functioning and quality of life, however, intensity and duration may need to be adjusted during treatment and special precautions taken for those with anemia, weak immunity, bone disease, skin sensitivity, neuropathy and other side effects of therapy.)
"While we've published previous reports outlining the evidence on the impact of nutrition and physical activity on cancer recurrence and survival, this is the first time the evidence has been strong enough to release formal guidelines for survivorship, as we've done for cancer prevention. Living a physically active lifestyle and eating a healthy diet should absolutely be top of mind for anyone who's been diagnosed with cancer," Colleen Doyle, MS, RD, ACS director of nutrition and physical activity and co-author of the guidelines, said in a press release.
To read the full report, click here.
RELATED POSTSCOMMENTS (4) |
PRINT |
SUBSCRIBE
BY JON GARINN | APRIL 17, 2012
Today is my 49th birthday, but that's not what kept me from falling back to sleep at 5 a.m. It was the same fear that many have: the fear of dying before I'm ready to go. There are so many things I want to do. I need time to get my affairs in order; mend a few relationships; fulfill some long-held dreams.
As we get older, we seem to spend more time considering our mortality. How will death come? Peacefully and painlessly, as it did to my paternal grandmother? She lived a long life and died in her sleep. Will death come violently and suddenly, as it did to my father? He died choking on his own blood. Will death come gradually and mercifully, as it did to my maternal grandmother? Her slow, steady decline was capped by endless hours at the hospital.
It is perhaps an occupational hazard that, as editor of a cancer magazine, I often lie awake wondering if cancer will come my way. One out of every two men in America will get cancer in his lifetime. Will it be me or the guy I'm sitting next to on the bus? Maybe he's already had cancer. So will it be me or the security guard in the lobby of our building? It's a maddening game of chance. One that sometimes keeps me awake.
I haven't improved my odds. I'm overweight. I don't exercise. I enjoy cocktails before dinner. I drink wine at meals and beer during yardwork. I was exposed to second-hand smoke throughout my childhood. I had terrible sunburns during my youth. I was exposed to asbestos on a construction project in college. Is my immune system strong enough to do what it was designed to do? Or is my body a ticking timebomb? There are simply too many variables to know whether I will be "the one." People who've had cancer aren't alone in fearing its return visit. Cancer is an unwelcome guest in every home.
As I celebrate another year of life, one thing is clear: I'm grateful to be a part of the CURE family. If a cancer experience is in my future, I'll draw inspiration from the many patients and survivors I've encountered who were absolutely determined to live as best as they could.
RELATED POSTSCOMMENTS (1) |
PRINT |
SUBSCRIBE
BY LINDSAY RAY | APRIL 16, 2012
What would you do if you had climbed Mt. Everest and reached the summit of six other peaks in Africa, Europe, Australia, Antarctica, North and South America? Well, if you're Sean Swarner, you'd run in the Boston marathon today. Sean, who is the first survivor to summit Everest, was twice diagnosed with cancer at ages 13 and 16 and given only 14 days to live after his second diagnosis. Instead, Sean went on to complete many athletic challenges, including the Iron Man challenge in Hawaii, and he cofounded a nonprofit organization called the Cancer Climber Association. And now he's added marathon runner to the list--despite the heat advisory this morning. Having finished the race, Sean tweeted, "2 weeks training, 8 weeks post-knee surgery, Boston marathon in 90 degree temps. Not too shabby. Lol Thanks CT Challenge for the opportunity."
To hear more about Sean in his own words, check out the video below:
Cancer survivor defies all odds: wtnh.com
RELATED POSTSCOMMENTS (1) |
PRINT |
SUBSCRIBE
BY ELIZABETH WHITTINGTON | APRIL 16, 2012
Today, more than 22,000 runners are participating in the Boston Marathon. One of those runners is Ed Feather.
Ed is running on the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team in memory of his wife, Sarah, who died of ovarian cancer last year.
Sarah, who wrote a blog called The Carcinista, was known for her writings about living with the disease, including her decision to stop treatment (Taking the Reins).
When I saw Ed's video "Why I Run," I knew I wanted to share it with you. I can imagine thousands of others who have similar, touching stories. I wish I could share all of them.
Today, I am thinking of Ed and Sarah, and all the others who honor a loved one affected by cancer.
RELATED POSTSCOMMENTS (1) |
PRINT |
SUBSCRIBE
