Fourteen people no longer have stage 2 or 3 rectal cancer because of an experimental use of immunotherapy. Enrolling in a clinical trial has, for the past 25 months and counting, spared them from surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, which are the standard treatments for colorectal cancer. [1] Fourteen people may not sound like many, but it...
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Most people are taking statins to lower their cholesterol, right? It’s about reducing your risk of heart disease and stroke. Well, now there is some recent research that finds an association between taking statins and survival of a colorectal cancer diagnosis. This research is a review of almost 30,000 medical records from the National Veterans...
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A recent article in the Journal of the American Medical Association-Oncology (JAMA) contains an exciting strategy (made possible again by all the work of the Human Genome Project) for treatment decision making and finding recurrences earlier for those diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer. Treatment involves...
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Cherry Hughes** is an active, energetic 75 year old, still working in the marketing and public relations profession in Great Britain. Her life is filled with friends and fun. “I love cooking and eating out. I am deeply interested in politics. I love music …I go to jazz clubs. I love going to France …I have a little apartment...
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There are 1.6 million people diagnosed with cancer in the US each year. Of these, 650,000 receive chemotherapy. Did you know that 60,000 people a year are hospitalized for neutropenia, a common side effect of chemotherapy? One in fourteen die because of it. Of the 650,000 receiving chemotherapy, 104,000 are not aware of neutropenia and 52,000 don’t...
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“I’m barely 27 and if it were not for immunotherapy and cancer research, I would not have seen 25.” So starts Stefanie Joho speech at a 2017 Congressional Hearing called “Progress in Immunotherapy: Delivering Hope and Clinical Benefit to Cancer Patients.” When Stefanie was 22, she was diagnosed with a very aggressive Stage II...
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This summer has been a challenge after a family member with celiac disease had a gluten exposure (Click here to read more about celiac disease). Gluten damages the small intestine villi (see 5 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Your Small Intestines), which are essential for nutrition absorption. For over a month, gastrointestinal pain, vomiting...
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In April, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) held a free education event on cancer called Progress and Promise Against Cancer in Washington, D.C. Surrounded by experts in cancer research, Kim Hall Jackson shared her patient story. One evening in 2008, Jackson, an event planner, was running the mayor’s inaugural event in...
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We are adding to the list of respite opportunities that are available for adults with cancer. In addition to a couple of programs like the ones featured in Free Vacations for Adults affected by Cancer, there are a few foundations for adults with cancer that are much like the well-known Make-A-Wish Foundation (for children) which provide support for...
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Though this title might seem flippant, there is evidence that Vitamin D supplements may help you get fewer pesky colds and flu. In a recent article published in The BMJ, researchers conducted a meta-analysis on randomized control trials. Backing up, to do a meta-analysis, researchers find already published articles that fit a specific criteria, in this...
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Colorectal Cancer Awareness “It is a silent disease,” Teri Griege relates. “There is the embarrassment factor. Somebody’s got to talk about this,” she says. “Somebody has to have the guts to stand up and say, ‘I had bleeding.’” Since 2009, Teri has courageously told her story of being diagnosed with Stage IV colorectal...
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A cancer diagnosis is overwhelming. So is the prospect of telling your children about a cancer diagnosis. Social media makes it possible for parents to share strategies and provide guidance to others facing this challenge. Here are some insights. Insight 1: Tell Your Children the News Parents protect. The natural inclination is to keep diagnoses of...
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