Winter 2006

Patients must balance price of drugs with the literal cost of living.

In an age of information abundance, myths about cancer abound.

Treatment and side effects disrupt sleep.

Survivors experience urge for change in their lives.

Hospice nurses see their profession as a calling.

Nancy Davenport-Ellis, a breast cancer survivor and founder of the Patient Advocate Foundation, discusses the expense of cancer care for patients and the complexities of health insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Doing well, bladder cancer survivor, quality of life, survivors issue.

This article discusses genetic test kits and the types of cancer they test for.

This article discusses the health concerns for cancer survivors in consuming hormones in food and dairy products.

Based on a survey of 1,000 by the American Cancer Society, this sidebar defines certain cancer myths as fact or fiction.

This sidebar to “Tossing and Turning: Treatment and Side Effects Disrupt Sleep” discusses the physiology of sleep, REM sleep, circadian rhythms, and sleep research.

In an aging population, cancer is rarely a solo act.

Escalating cancer drug costs trigger concerns about access for patients.

Survivors gain physical healing through exercise.

When It’s Cancer: The 10 Essential Steps to Follow After Your Diagnosis

Ed Bradley, Lance Armstrong Foundation, Betty Agassi, Farah Fawcett

An increasing number of survivors have chosen to be adorned with tattoos, either to express their “post-traumatic growth” or to cover scars.

“When Illnesses Compete” discusses the exclusion in clinical trails of the aging population, especially those with chronic illnesses or comorbidities.

“Can You Afford Cancer?” discusses patients who are reducing their oral medications to save money.

Dr. Michael Fiori, professor of medicine at the University of Wisconsin and founder and director of the UW Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention, offers suggestions on how to quit smoking.

In addition to many state governments, numerous organizations provide information on patient assistance programs.

As a cancer patient, you have several financial resources available to you, including health insurance, government programs, disability benefits, and services offered by voluntary organizations.