A cancer diagnosis is not only extremely physically demanding for a person as they begin treatment; a diagnosis is also very challenging mentally as well. For a patient beginning their journey through their disease, 20+ year cancer survivor, author, and CEO and President of The Cancer Club, Christine Clifford provides 9 tips to stay mentally and emotionally strong.

1. Take four steps forward: speak with an surgeon, an oncologist, a radiologist and a psychologist. These four people can help you get moving in the right direction.

2. Surround yourself with supportive friends and family. In adverse situations, you always learn who your friends are, and who they aren't. Leave the ones that are not supportive behind. Embrace the ones that are.

3. Realize that your life will never be the same. But that doesn't mean you won't have a good life or a better life. It just means it will be different. The sooner you can embrace your cancer, the sooner you will be able to move forward.

4. Research all the possibilities. Read books, visit the internet, and listen to tapes on the topic of cancer, but also on topics such as fear, serenity, hope, overcoming obstacles.

5. Do something special for yourself. Treat yourself to something that will make you feel pampered: a massage, a change in hair color, buy a new outfit, or take a trip.

6. Don't beat yourself up. Instead, ask yourself, "What am I supposed to learn from this challenge, and how might I do things differently?"

7. Find Happiness. Remember: YOU are the source of your happiness; not somebody else. A positive attitude will help tremendously in getting through your treatments.

8. Learn to forgive. Harboring negative feelings will only slow down the progress of moving forward. Gather the tools and skills to find forgiveness through your church/synagogue, counseling, books and tapes, family and friends.

9. Don't forget to laugh!TM Laughter is still the best medicine!

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Hi, folks.

My name is Dr. Jack West, and I’m a medical oncologist specializing in thoracic oncology at Swedish Cancer Institute in Seattle, WA. Over the next year, I’ll be covering a broad range of topics related to malignant pleural mesothelioma; one of the cancers I treat, as well as speak and write about for the cancer community. Though it’s a relatively uncommon cancer in the US and around the globe, my corner of the country actually has the highest per capita incidence of mesothelioma. This is primarily because of the many shipyards in our area where people are exposed to asbestos, and our center has emerged as one of the leading places in the country for management of mesothelioma.

By way of background, I was an undergraduate at Princeton University before traveling to the University of Cambridge in the UK for a Fulbright Scholarship. There I received a masters degree in Experimental Biology. I then returned to the US to attend Harvard Medical School, where I did additional research as a medical student fellow of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Following my graduation, I trained at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston for my internal medicine internship and residency, then moved to Seattle to do my medical oncology training at the University of Washington/Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. There, I developed an expertise in lung cancer and mesothelioma and continue to focus in these fields today as Medical Director of the Thoracic Oncology Program at Swedish Cancer Institute, the largest private oncology center in the Pacific Northwest.

I look forward to bringing you information that can help you understand the leading options that have proven to be beneficial in managing malignant pleural mesothelioma, as well as discussing current clinical questions and emerging research options. Together, the educational resources available here should help enable people to become active participants in their own care.

-Jack West

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Becoming a caregiver started the moment my wife was diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer. Like many others, my wife and I were not prepared for the news she had cancer. A little over three months prior to my wife’s cancer diagnosis, we had celebrated the birth of our only child, our daughter Lily. We had assumed we would be settling down to our new lives as parents, not dealing with a cancer diagnosis. The diagnosis shattered our lives.

Even before we left the doctor’s office, my responsibilities as a caregiver were becoming apparent. The doctor had informed us Heather had malignant pleural mesothelioma. He went on to explain a bit about the cancer and then gave us three choices of where we could go next to fight the cancer. My wife was in tears from the news she had cancer. She listened to the doctor’s three choices and was silent. I waited for her to ask a question; to say something, but she was silent and still stunned from the news. I looked into her eyes to see what she was thinking. The look in her eyes said “God help me!” I looked over at the doctor and said “Get us to Boston” and with that, I was a caregiver.

My wife and I had different reactions to her diagnosis. She was stunned and in a state of shock and disbelief for a little while. I was mad! Anger would be my primary emotion for months. This was not supposed to be happening to me. I was supposed to be celebrating the birth of my daughter and adapting to life with her, not dealing with cancer. My life went from predictability to chaos in a moment. I frequently found myself feeling overwhelmed and helpless. I had little control of my life. Of all the events I have ever experienced, this was the most uncomfortable and helpless I had ever felt, and anger was how I dealt with it all.

Anger, denial, bargaining—we all deal with stressful situations differently and being a caregiver can be very stressful. My anger was at its worst when my wife and I went to Boston for treatment under Dr. David Sugarbaker. When angry, I would lash out at all who were around. I lashed out to people who were trying to help and I have seen this in others. I was lucky enough to be surrounded by people who were trained to deal with anger in others. They had seen this before and I’m sure they have seen it since.

Be aware of your emotions and don’t let any one of them overwhelm or control you. I won’t pretend to be knowledgeable enough to offer any sure fire solution to overcome any overwhelming emotions. For me it took some patient people and time. I needed to time to realize my anger was so strong that it inhibited my ability to make decisions and it pushed those away who were trying to help. I felt like I couldn’t get anything done when I was angry, and it took a lot out of me. I hated how I lost control to anger.

While there are many things about my wife’s cancer that make me angry, I am no longer consumed by this emotion. I have made a decision to live not in fear, but to remind myself how precious each day is. I find I am both happier and more productive now that I am no longer in anger’s grasp. I hope that for all those who find themselves overwhelmed with anger, fear, denial, bargaining, or any other emotion that they find a way to move on. You will be happier and better prepared to be a caregiver and deal with all that life throws at you.

-Cams

View the original article here

 

A cancer diagnosis is a difficult and life changing situation for anyone. Often when people receive the news, their families gather around them for support. Some try to underplay the importance of family and claim that the patient needs to create a better mental space for him or herself. However, the role that family plays in a cancer patient’s life is simply undeniable.

One of the most basic roles of the family members is to be a source of support. When a person is diagnosed with cancer, one of the thoughts that certainly will run through their mind is the possibility of death, dying young, and leaving loved ones behind. This is where family members can step up with open communication to let the patient know that they are all going to fight through together. Making sure to talk a lot about feelings of both the patient and family members will help ease stress and make a patient feel supported. Despite any fear, the ability of loved ones to remain strong can inspire a patient. If they can remain strong, then the patient feels that he or she has not lost hope yet.

Going through cancer treatments, whether they are weekly visits for chemotherapy or taking medications, is strenuous on a person's body. Nausea, tiredness and weakness are all signs that can be associated with the treatments and with the disease itself. Family member can become involved with a patient’s care by bringing them to appointments and assisting in creating care plans. At home, loved ones can create warm and welcoming spaces for the person to come back home to. For a person with cancer, thinking about dealing with the consequences alone can be terrifying. When they arrive home after their treatments or are in the hospital, seeing their family members can help them to feel better. They know they have someone who is going to advocate for them and take care of them in their times of need.

Family is also important because they can help engage a patient in their normal activities. Some assume that all cancer diagnoses mean that the patient can no longer do the hobbies and pursuits that they used to do, but this thought is simply not the truth. For example, adult children can make sure their mother with cancer is still able to make it to church, or a couple who has a child with cancer can still take her to her Girl Scout meetings.

It's all going to depend upon the actual state of the individual person and their diagnosis, but families can work together to make the best possible situation and keep hope alive.

 Nutrition is an important part of preventing and fighting cancer. When cancer patients focus on nutrition, they build their natural defenses and fight disease naturally. Even vitamin C therapy is being considered as a way to fight cancer. Though the treatment is experimental, it shows how advanced the body is in repairing itself with nutrients it needs. Especially with rare cancers like mesothelioma, treatments may be limited so consider how these nutritional changes or inclusions can help to fight cancer.

Studies have shown that a diet high in antioxidants can help to fight and prevent cancer. Antioxidants fight free radicals and protect cells from damage. Antioxidants can be obtained through fruits and vegetables. The most effective antioxidants include lycopene, beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin A.

It is recommended for people suffering from cancer to eat plenty of green leafy vegetables. Kale, collard greens, mixed greens and spinach are recommended for fighting cancer. If arthritis is also an issue, collard greens and kale are better choices than spinach, which is not recommended for people suffering from arthritis. Water retention may occur near joints such as knees and ankles. Carrots, tomatoes, oranges, pumpkin, corn, broccoli, nuts, mangos and soybean oil are recommended for cancer.

Tea, especially green tea, is thought to be effective in preventing and controlling cancer, but the American Cancer Institute does not recommend tea. Caffeine may be the reason why. The polyphenol compounds and catechins are antioxidants that are suspected to be effective in cancer prevention. The studies have been inconclusive, but there is strong evidence that leads experts to believe that the tea can be effective in healing cancer.

Garlic is suspected to reduce the risk of developing cancer in the gastrointestinal tract, but the extent to which it helps is unknown. Garlic helps with numerous ailments in addition to cancer prevention. If high cholesterol is a problem, garlic will help to lower the levels, and it also prevents colds from developing.

Nutrition is important for any patient who is fighting cancer. Without proper nutrition, cancer patients will feel fatigue and may develop aches and pains that they would not otherwise. Cancer patients should work with their physicians to develop the proper regimen because there are so many things that could negatively affect cancer.

 With the new year here, this month is filled with people making resolutions, some often too taxing to keep up throughout the year, but all with good intentions of bettering oneself. For a cancer patient, their life may feel too controlled by their diagnosis to make many changes or resolutions. There are many ways for cancer patients to make small, positive changes in their life that can help their health and outlook on their disease and life. The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance spoke to a few members of the team at Cancer Treatment Centers of America who gave us 6 excellent ways for cancer patients to make 2013 a year of positive thoughts and actions!

Everybody has stressors, but if you can do one thing to feel less stressed and more in control, that will help. For example, you can clean up some clutter which will give you a sense of control and help you stay positive.

­ Sit down and imagine something positive that could happen to you in 2013. Imagine you are better and it might help you feel better.Do things that make you feel good and help you stay positive. Add some music to your life. If you listen to uplifting music if can help you feel better. Watch programs that have an uplifting message, whether they are dramas or comedies. Be with friends that make you feel good. Make it a point in 2013 to connect with people who you want to get to know better or spend time with old friends that help you stay positive.­ -Steve White, Director of Mind-Body Medicine

Think about one small physical activity you can do to improve your health and that will help improve your outlook on life. A daily walk is a great place to start.

­ -Jane White, Director of Rehabilitation Services

When people are rested they feel better and have more energy to have a positive outlook on life. Take naps ­ even for just 10 minutes it will help you stay refreshed and relaxed.

­ -Dr. Shauna Birdsall, Director of Naturopathic Medicine

Choose foods as close to their natural state as possible, with as few added ingredients as possible. Eating foods in their natural state can help your body feel less sluggish from digesting heavily processed foods. It can provide your body with more energy to accomplish things and therefore can lead to a clearer mind.

­ -Stephanie Paver, Clinical Oncology DietitianShare any of your resolutions or positive changes you will be making with our community!

 

Being diagnosed with cancer can be one of the scariest things that a person has to deal with. Regardless of your age, gender, or religion, cancer doesn't discriminate. All of the unknowns, millions of questions, and constant uncertainty can consume the mind and really affect a persons well being. It is important to not let a cancer diagnosis define you and cause you to lose interest in the things you once loved and lose sight of your hopes and dreams. Here are some tips to keep in mind and help guide you:

Don't allow your cancer diagnosis to take over who you are and what you enjoyed doing before finding out you have cancer. As long as you are able to, make time for your hobbies. If you enjoy doing crafts and creating DIY projects, be sure to make that a priority on your schedule. If reading novels is something that makes you happy and you are well enough to do so, be sure to include it in your daily routine.

When going through this difficult time it is not uncommon for your mind to be bogged down with things like what will happen at your next doctor's appointment or when your next round of treatment will be. It is important to keep your friends and family close. Spending time with loved ones may be just what you need to aid you in keeping your mind in a positive and hopeful state.

One of the most powerful feelings that a cancer diagnosis can bring is fear. Its important try to let go of fear and all of the "what if's" that a person may be thinking upon being diagnosed with cancer. Living every moment and embracing every single day can really have a positive effect on your mind and body. Focusing on positive thoughts will help put you in a place of hope and optimism.

Being diagnosed with cancer shouldn't be a reason to stop following your dreams. Regardless of your age, if you have hopes, dreams and goals for your life and your future, don't lose sight of them. Whether your goal is to be a writer, to start your own business, to earn a college degree, or to travel the world. Don't let a cancer diagnosis put those dreams to rest. Continue to stay on track and try your best to think of your diagnosis as a bump in the road.

A cancer diagnosis is not something that anyone expects to receive from his or her doctor. But if it does happen, it's important to not let cancer consume your entire life and take over everything that was. Take these tips into consideration and remember; you were you before you had cancer and you will continue being you after cancer.

 

Today, February 4th, is World Cancer Day. Tag your loved one who is fighting, has survived, or has lost the battle to cancer on our Memory Candle and SHARE it to keep the flame burning!

Last year, the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance shared this photo via Facebook in support of World Cancer Day and received over 18,000 likes and was shared over 220,000 times. This year, we hope to continue to share our virtual candle to support World Cancer Day and spread awareness for victims, survivors, and loved ones affected by mesothelioma.

World Cancer Day was founded by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) as a day for raising awareness for all types of cancer to encourage education, detection, treatment, and prevention. This year’s mission of World Cancer Day is focused on Target 5 of the World Cancer Declaration—to dispel the myths and misconceptions about cancer. These myths are:

Myth 1) Cancer is just a health issue.
Myth 2) Cancer is a disease of the wealthy, elderly and developed countries.
Myth 3) Cancer is a death sentence.
Myth 4) Cancer is my fate.

This year on February 4th, tag your loved one who is fighting, has survived, or has lost the battle to cancer on our candle and SHARE it to keep the flame of our Memory Candle burning!

An article in the most recent issue of the Journal of Thoracic Oncology detailed a study on patients who quit smoking with ease. The study showed that patients whose experience in quitting smoking had few or no troubles also developed lung cancer within three years of quitting. The study subjects quit smoking well before they exhibited any sings of the disease, which has convinced researchers that the comparative easiness of how the patients were able to quit could also be a symptom of lung cancer itself.

Researchers at the Thomas Jefferson University Medical Center in Philadelphia have hypothesized that active lung cancer cells release a compound that counteracts the body’s dependence on nicotine, the active ingredient in tobacco. Since one of the primary obstacles that smokers come across when attempting to quit smoking is nicotine addiction, the hardest part of quitting becomes much easier, albeit at a severe cost to the patient’s health.

The study looked at the behavior 115 former smokers who were later diagnosed with lung cancer. Out of those 115, 55 had gone through some type of program to quit smoking, such as nicotine gums or patches, well before they were diagnosed with the disease, with 31 reporting that they quit with ease. The data revealed that patients who had stopped smoking with very little or no difficulty showed symptoms of lung cancer in just over two years.

Dr. Barbara Campling and her team of researchers conducted the tests with patients at the Philadelphia Veterans Hospital. Dr. Campling and her group ascertained the level of the patient’s nicotine addiction through an interview and psychological test. The data from those tests showed that the patients who said they quit with ease were just as addicted to nicotine as those who either quit with difficulty or continued to smoke.

Dr. Campling also pointed out that her team’s findings might refute much of the popular belief behind smoking cessation and lung cancer. Many doctors previously believed that smokers eventually quit due to the visible symptoms of lung cancer, including heavy coughing and other respiratory issues, which made the task of inhaling the smoke more difficult.

The findings of this new study, despite the limited number of participants, have opened up other ideas on how to detect lung cancer in smokers. The news may lead to smokers who suddenly lose their cravings for nicotine to visit a doctor and determine if they are undergoing the early stages of lung cancer. As with most cancers, early detection is a key to any possible recovery.

The study may also lead to other potential applications for smoking cessation programs. If scientists can isolate the agent that induces the patients in the study to quit smoking immediately and painlessly, such a discovery could lead to new forms of therapy to help smokers quit the habit much easier.

Dr. Campling also suggests that smokers do not take the findings as a justification for continuing to smoke. She said that a smoker who does not consider quitting based on her study has “the absolutely wrong interpretation” of the findings.

Sources:

http://topnews.net.nz/reports/212505-ease-quitting-linked-lung-cancer

http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/20110307_If_quitting_comes_easy.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/07/AR2011030703659.html

Veterans often develop cancer as a result of exposure to hazardous materials – even when the exposure happened decades ago. The herbicide Agent Orange was used in Vietnam and it is acknowledged to cause prostate and respiratory cancers. The Department of Veterans Affairs even states that any respiratory cancer in a veterans known to have served in an Agent Orange area automatically qualifies for benefits.

Lung cancer is also caused by exposure to asbestos, depleted uranium, and other materials that many servicemen encountered. Contrary to popular thinking, there are many causes of lung cancer beside tobacco.

There are two main types of lung cancer, small-cell lung cancer and non-small-cell lung cancer. The types have different staging classifications.

About 10 to 15 percent of lung cancers are small-cell. Small-cell lung cancer is categorized as either limited stage or extensive stage. In the limited stage, the cancer is found in one lung and the surrounding lymph nodes in that lung only. In the extensive stage, the cancer has spread into both lungs or other organs in the body.

Small-cell lung cancer tends to progress from the limited to the extensive stage fairly early, forming large tumors and entering other organs rather quickly. For this reason, surgery is often not an option for treatment for small-cell lung cancer. However, chemotherapy is often employed as a treatment.

Non-small-cell lung cancer makes up over 80 percent of all lung cancers. Within non-small-cell lung cancer are the subtypes adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.

Non-small-cell lung cancer is categorized into four stages. The higher the number, the more advanced the cancer. Most lung cancers are diagnosed in Stage 3 or Stage 4.

Non-small-cell lung cancer can be treated by surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Doctors decide on a treatment plan based on the stage of the cancer, and the age and overall health of the patient.

If you think you could get lung cancer, be sure to get screened. The earlier the cancer is diagnosed, the better your chances will be.

A new study from the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston found that patients who go to public hospitals for lung cancer care get less effective treatments than those who go to expensive cancer-oriented hospitals. The study also showed that patients who receive their care from public hospitals were nine times more likely to have severe symptoms when they check in for treatment than those who attend cancer centers such as MD Anderson.

The study examined the care in two Houston public hospitals, one Miami public hospital, and MD Anderson, one of the most respected cancer care centers in the world. Dr. Charles Cleeland, the study’s author, said that the disparity of care between public hospitals and cancer centers has existed “for the last couple of decades”. He also noted that lung cancer care “is less well managed” for patients who are poor, unemployed, members of minority groups or those that have little to no health insurance.

The number of public hospital patients experiencing symptoms before admitting themselves for care was nearly double that of cancer center patients. The study, which followed the patients’ progress for two months, showed major differences in the quality of care between the cancer center and the public hospitals. Dr. Cleeland said that patients in public hospitals that were displaying symptoms were “not being corrected”.

Dr. Cleeland also noted that the reasons for the differences in care between public hospitals and well-known cancer centers are “very complex”. “I don’t think it’s the intention of those caring for those folks,” he said. However, he did cite that the lack of access to technical resources or cancer specialists for those underserved patients might be some of the reasons behind the disparity.

A similar study conducted at the University of North Carolina found that African Americans are less likely than Caucasian patients to opt for surgery to remove lung tumors. Surgical tumor removal is often the most effective treatment in the early stages of the disease. Dr. Samuel Cykert, the UNC study’s author, attributed the differences to “unintended biases in physicians”. Dr. Cykert mentioned that doctors who work with underserved patients “would be less apt to recommend surgery” than they would for patients who could afford the procedure.

“Advocating for oneself is very important,” Dr. Cykert said. “Being passive is bad.”

The two doctors do agree on treating symptoms early, rather than allowing them to worsen before seeking help. Dr. Cleeland stressed that doctors, nurses and other health care professionals need to help patients with the symptoms of their lung cancer as much as with treating the cancer itself.

“I think we need to strategize about how to help them (underserved patients)”, he said. “This (study) is characterizing their experience.”

According to public health officials, 62 out of every 100,000 adults will be diagnosed with lung cancer each year. Underserved patients are more likely to engage in cigarette smoking, the primary cause of lung cancer in America, and are also more likely to die from lung cancer.

Sources:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/20/us-lung-cancer-patients-idUSTRE75J6Y320110620

A new report by the group Cancer Research UK compares lung cancer rates in the British population from 1975 to 2008. The report showed that the number of women over sixty years of age diagnosed with lung cancer jumped from 5,700 in 1975 to 15,100 in 2008, an increase of nearly 165 percent in just over thirty years.

Also, the number of women overall diagnosed with lung cancer increased by 125 percent, from 7,800 in 1975 to 17,500 in 2008. By comparison, the number of men over sixty diagnosed with the disease actually fell, from 23,400 in 1975 to 15,100 in 2008.

The report cites the increase in the number of women taking up smoking in the 1960s and 1970s as the reason for the sharp increase. Statistics have shown that between 80 and 90 percent of all instances of lung cancer are tied to smoking.

Dr. Stephen Spiro, a spokesman for the British Lung Foundation, said that lung cancer has surpassed breast cancer as the leading cause of cancer deaths for women in Britain and several European nations. Dr. Spiro praised the efforts of government officials to raise the public’s awareness of the dangers of smoking, but also cited the fact that up to ten million adult Britons, about 20 percent of the population, still smoke.

Jean King, the director of tobacco control for Cancer Research UK, said that the group would continue to support smoking cessation programs. Also, Cancer Research UK is attempting to have advertisements for cigarettes covered or removed from stores that young people might frequent. Ms. King said that the advertising ban would “protect young people from being recruited into an addiction that kills half of all long term smokers”.

Sources:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/03/07/lung-cancer-rates-in-women-over-60-have-almost-trebled-in-past-40-years-115875-22971496/

http://www.cafonline.org/Default.aspx?page=19967

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12651455

Defined by pain expert Margo McCaffrey, MSN, RN, FAAN, pain is, “whatever the experiencing person says it is, and exists whenever he says it does.” This certainly holds true in the treatment of pain associated with cancer. Approximately 30% to 50% of all people with cancer will experience pain while undergoing treatment and 70% to 90% of individuals with advanced cancer will have pain associated with the disease.

The good news is that cancer pain is completely manageable with a host of treatments that are readily available. The bad news is that many cancer patients are often under treated for pain due to a variety of common reasons.

Physicians treating cancer patients may focus solely on controlling or treating the disease and the accompanying pain is left untreated. Patients may minimize their pain symptoms or may think the pain is “normal” and neglect to inform the physician of this symptom. In other circumstances patients may fear becoming addicted to pain medications and therefore refuse to take them. These reasons, while understandable, are invalid and the current treatments available can help patients manage their pain.

Each cancer patient will experience different levels and areas of pain. There are three common types of pain associated with cancer. Acute pain usually sets in quickly and lasts only brief amounts of time. Chronic pain is consistent pain that sometimes worsens and lasts for long periods of time. Breakthrough pain occurs in chronic pain sufferers whose pain is normally controlled by medication. The plan for managing this pain is different for each individual. The goal is to provide the best pain relief while avoiding as many side effects as possible.

First-line pain medications are those medicines that are readily available over the counter or by a doctor’s prescription. First-line pain medications are used to treat mild forms of pain associated with cancer and include ibuprofen, aspirin and acetaminophen. These over the counter medications are not usually habit forming and can reduce inflammation in diseased tissue.

Individualized vaccines created from a patient’s own cancer tumor may help boost the immune system’s response to the illness, according to a study conducted at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Early trials of the innovative new treatment option suggest that patient survival can be greatly improved through such vaccinations.

For the study, researchers (led by Richard Barth Jr, chief of general surgery at Dartmouth-Hitchcock) used dendritic cells culled from a patient’s blood to develop a personalized vaccine. Dendritic cells are an integral part of the immune system that seek out hostile antigens. By programming these dendritic cells to target a patient’s unique cancer cell manifestation, the result is an induced immune response to tumors.

As witnessed in the study, the injection of such a vaccine resulted in an effective anti-tumor response in a majority of patients.

The study included 26 patients who had tumors that had spread from the colon to the liver. All patients were surgically treated to remove the tumors. However, metastasized colon tumors are notorious for spawning regrowth following surgery. In an attempt to reduce the chances for the cancer to return, Barth and associates injected the vaccine into patients one month after surgery.

Study representatives report that 60 percent of all patients who received a vaccination displayed a favorable T-cell immune response to their tumors. Of those with a favorable response, 63 percent were alive and free of any signs of cancer after five years of treatment.

In comparison, only 18 percent of patients who did not respond to the immunization were alive and free of cancer during the same time period.

The study shows for the first time that dendritic vaccines may be useful in the treatment of cancer. Previous research efforts have attempted to show that such vaccines may be helpful in fighting larger tumor deposits. While previously unsuccessful, the vaccines may be used in conjunction with surgery to improve a patient’s chances for survival.

Additional studies are required before the efficacy and effectiveness of the treatment option can be validated. According to Barth, “This study isn’t definitive enough for us to say that everyone with colon cancer that spreads to the liver should get the vaccine. A next possible step would be to compare this vaccine with just dendritic cells which have not been pulsed with tumor antigens as a control.”

Findings of the study were published in the November issue of Clinical Cancer Research.

Sources:

http://www.smartplanet.com/business/blog/smart-takes/a-personalized-vaccine-to-combat-cancers-tumors/12609/

http://thedartmouth.com/2010/11/29/news/cancer

Research conducted by the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY), and published by The Lancet, provides evidence of an increased risk for cancers of all types among firefighters who were first responders on 9/11. The findings were released on Sept. 3, as American began to reflect on the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks. This particular study focused on rescue workers who responded to the attack on the World Trade Center in New York City.

According to The Lancet, “Respiratory illnesses and post-traumatic stress disorder are known to be increased in those who survived the World Trade Center disaster, but data reported in this issue show that 9 years after the attacks, rescue and recovery workers continue to have substantial physical and mental health problems.”

While it is too early yet to find evidence of increased mortality among these workers, the research indicates that “An excess of cancer cases is reported in firefighters who survived the disaster..” according to The Lancet.

The study, titled “Early assessment of cancer outcomes in New York City firefighters after the 9/11 attacks: an observational cohort study” was published in Volume 378, Issue 9794 of The Lancet. Researchers studied cancer incidence and its potential association to exposure of New York City firefighters to known and suspected carcinogens at Ground Zero. The study examined the effect of these possible carcinogens on FDNY first responders in the first 7 years after 9/11/01.

According to the report, the study included 9,853 men who were employed as firefighters on Jan. 1, 1996. Researchers determined that “on and after 9/11, person-time for 8,927 firefighters was classified as WTC-exposed; all person-time before 9/11, and person-time after 9/11 for 926 non-WTC-exposed firefighters, was classifed as non-WTC exposed.” Explaining their methods, researchers state in the report, “We estimated the ratio of incidence rates in WTC-exposed firefighters to non-exposed firefighters, adjusted for age, race and ethnic origin, and secular trends, with the US National Cancer Institute Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) reference population.”

In its Findings summary, the report concluded that cancer incidence in firefighters exposed to toxins at the World Trade Center was about 1 in 10, while cancer incidence in the general male population in the U.S. was about 1 in 19. This incidence among the non-WTC-exposed firefighters also was about 1 in 19. This leads researchers to believe there is a “modest excess of cancer cases in the WTC-exposed” group.

However, researchers also caution that there has been a relatively short time period since the events of 9/11 and the exposures, while many cancers, such as mesothelioma, may have long developmental periods. They recommend continued follow-up including cancer screenings and prevention strategies.

Read the full FDNY post-9/11 cancer assessment.

The Lancet has a full report on the events of 9/11 in this special section.

Mesothelioma patients for years have been seeking compensation from asbestos manufacturers and companies that routinely used asbestos in the manufacturing process.

Our mesothelioma attorneys understand some are hesitant to pursue legal action, based on the sometimes arduous litigation process, particularly the extensive delay tactics deployed by the defendants. But as we discussed recently on our Mesothelioma Lawyer Blog, seeking legal counsel is the first step in joining the fight. A nationwide support system, including legal, medical, emotional and spiritual guidance, offers hope to victims and families. As of mid-2012, there were 164 clinical trials racing to find a cure for this deadly cancer.

In fact, treatment for all forms of cancer is steadily evolving -- and often getting much more expensive. A new study, published by The American Journal of Managed Care, projects that costs for cancer treatment are expected to skyrocket in every state in the country. Conducted by researches at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and RTI International, the study projects that costs are expected to rise by between 34 percent and 115 percent by 2020.

Florida and New York were among the states expected to see the greatest increases. Florida patients will see an overall increase of about $25 billion, while patients in New York can expect to see an increase of approximately $17.5 billion.

California, the state with the highest projected increases, will see cancer treatment costs jump my an astonishing $28.3 billion.

These costs will be especially pronounced for those suffering from rare and aggressive cancers, such as mesothelioma.

The researchers employed cancer prevalence data from 2004 through 2009, as provided by the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, as well as information from the U.S. Census Bureau population forecasts. They then calculated how many people from each state are going to need treatment in the next eight years, and what the overall cost of that treatment is expected to be.

These cost increases varied from state-to-state, but all saw a projected increase. Even in those select few areas where cancer is expected to decline, the costs for treatment still shot up.

Florida is expected to have one of the highest increased cancer rates, with the number of people with cancer diagnoses expected to increase by more than 350,000 by 2020.

Cancer-related medical costs are already a significant portion of overall medical costs in the U.S., particularly for those who are older than 65.

Some of those costs may be offset by health insurance or publicly-funded Medicare, but it's not always something all mesothelioma patients can count on. Even those who do can expect that they will bear the burden at least some of those expenses.

For mesothelioma patients, it's not a battle they should fight alone, considering almost every case is caused by the negligence of a corporation or government entity.

Asbestos was widely used in a large array of products through the 1970s. While it's no longer used as frequently, it's still not legally banned in the U.S. Mesothelioma, the fatal cancer that is caused by inhaling asbestos fibers, is typically diagnosed decades after exposure. Despite what some defendants have attempted to claim, there is no "safe level" of asbestos exposure.

Although we have no known cure for mesothelioma at this point, research has been ongoing, and we are hopeful. But in the meantime, increasing financial burdens will be placed on the shoulders of those who are already fighting for their lives - and their families.

Our mesothelioma lawyers have had continued success in helping mesothelioma sufferers and their families obtain compensation for their illness. You are entitled to seek compensation for treatment costs, loss of income, loss of consortium, pain and suffering and other expenses.

Help for mesothelioma victims can be found at The Ferraro Law Firm by calling 1-800-275-3332. Offices in Miami, Washington, D.C., and New York City.

Additional Resources:
Study: Cancer Care Costs to More than Double in Some States by 2020, Sept. 24, 2012, New Release, RTI International

 We spoke to clinical psychologist, Dr. Ramani Durvasula, about the ways a family can stay strong when a cancer diagnosis happens. Here is what she had to say:

1. Understanding Levels of Grief
There are multiple levels of grief and anger. These are going to vary developmentally and experientially across the family. The patient will be facing one set of issues, the spouse/partner one set, children are quite complicated as it depends on age - grown children who live outside the house are quite different than young children who will be dealing with very different issues. So a key is to work with the oncology team, which hopefully has a social worker to not just make this all about the person with cancer, but all members of the family and to ensure that you have access to referrals, support, and information that is appropriate at all levels of the family.

2. Be Organized
Medical appointments, records, insurance, medications require organization - and this may require assistance with housework, healthy members of the family ensuring that things are in their place and running smoothly.

3. Retain Some Normalcy
Don't turn the home into a satellite hospital -have dinner together, play board games, do the things you do together, and really bring some value to that time.

4. Turn to Spiritual Resources
Recognizing that every family relies on this differentially - some are nonbelievers, some will need their parish/temple/mosque community. If it feels ok - turn to leaders in your religious community as a family if that feels right.

5. Talk and Listen
Denial is a normal phase of mourning - but can be scary for those who do want to talk. It may feel hard, but give each other that time, and if needed bring in the professionals and turn to licensed mental health professionals who have expertise in working with patients with cancer and their families.

6. Keep Everyone In The Loop
This can be very important if a family is scattered across the country. Some families may do this via email, some families may do Skype calls together, some families may even have private websites to post test results to. Each family knows what is comfortable -but the less they have to hassle the patient but keep abreast, it may be helpful for all concerned, and address those feelings of helplessness that are all to common in family members of a person with cancer.

7. Choose a Family "Go-To"
Some families have that person who makes a good "spokesperson" and can stand the litany of questions, well wishes and insensitive comments. If outsiders know there is somewhere they can go to get information and offer their words, sometimes this can shield the family from lots of excess nonsense they don't want to deal with at that time.

Every family is different, and ultimately should be working with a social worker or other mental health worker that is typically part of a good oncology team to devise strategies that are best for them.

Dr. Ramani is a licensed clinical psychologist and Professor of Psychology. Drawing upon her years of clinical experience, graduate and undergraduate teaching, and published research - she is masterful at taking all things psychological and making them interesting and understandable for a wide variety of audiences. Her versatility makes her a useful presenter for audiences ranging from adolescents to professionals, laypeople to mental health professionals.

 

We live in an increasingly social age, with more information available instantly for public access than ever before. On most occasions this creates a more informed and educated population, but in some situations the bombardment of unending and sometimes conflicting stories can be confusing and counterproductive – especially when it concerns health issues like cancer.

Whether someone has been diagnosed with cancer or not, there is a constant reminder of the disease in our everyday lives. The local and national news report stories on the topic everyday, but the truth is that it is hard to trust all of the stories we hear on the news. Even for healthy individuals the reports create a sense of fear, but for cancer patients the stories can instill unfavorable negativity.

The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance spoke to former CNN Medical Correspondent Andrew Holtz, who has been reporting on health and medicine for over 20 years and has done his fair share of cancer stories. Holtz stated, "There is reporting about cancer that is insightful and useful. There is also reporting about cancer that is full of hype, skewed to either unreasonable promises or hurtful fear mongering".

As a precautionary measure Holtz created a list of some signs of irresponsible reporting that people should be aware of when watching cancer stories in the media. He said to look out for:

Cancer Tests for All
Blanket assertions that testing for cancer is always beneficial. While detecting cancer when it's small can make a difference in some cases, early detection doesn't change the outcome in many others. It's important to be specific about which tests may benefit specific types of people in specific circumstances. Much reporting about PSA screening, for example, mislead people.'Revolutionary' Drugs or Procedures
Claims that a new drug or procedure could revolutionize cancer treatment. Especially when such claims are based on lab or animal tests, they should be viewed with extreme skepticism. News reports should always highlight the limitations of a research study and the likely challenges facing an experimental treatment.Exotic Treatments
Too many news reports about cancer (or other diseases) focus on exotic or extreme treatment attempts in advanced cases, often involving patients who have not responded to several treatments. Such cases represent a tiny minority and are largely irrelevant to people with typical cases.Guaranteed Cancer Prevention
Stories that promise ways to prevent cancer are generally misleading, with a few exceptions. Not smoking does make a dramatic difference. Avoiding too much sun helps, as does eating less meat and more fruits and vegetables. But there is no surefire way to prevent cancer. So people shouldn't put too much stock in stories that make grand promises. And they definitely shouldn't be made to feel guilty if they are diagnosed with cancer.

For more from Andrew Holtz you can visit his website.

However, not all cancer reporting in the media is meant to be deceiving. Many cancer organizations and doctors work hard to spread awareness and education to people to help a potential patient become more knowledgeable on signs to look for and treatment options available to them should they be diagnosed.

Elika Kormeili, a licensed therapist based out of Los Angeles, sees the media as a tool for education rather than a fear monger. She recognizes that media exposure can cause desensitization to the topic, but she primarily thinks the coverage is opening the cancer topic up for discussion. “In general [cancer in the media] is helpful and educational. There are so many people who still believe they are immune to cancer and that they do not have to worry about it”, Kormeili said.

Even for cancer patients, Kormeili believes the coverage is beneficial rather than frightening. “Finding out you have cancer can be devastating and can create a sense of loneliness. For these individuals such stories, blogs, support groups can create a sense of community, which helps to ‘normalize' the experience and individuals can support each other”. In the end, the media coverage is helping educate the public about the risk factors of cancer and its prevention, which, in Kormeili’s eyes, is the most important thing.

It is hard to correctly determine whether the media is a positive or negative presence in the cancer community. The stories that are heard on the news or in a magazine can be upsetting, but by utilizing CNN Medical Correspondent Andrew Holtz’s 4 steps to wade through the noise, you will find that there is an equal amount of informative health coverage to counter the more ridiculous reports. No matter what, it is important that cancer remains a relevant topic of discussion and the media coverage can only help that.

 

Whether dealing with skin cancer, lung cancer or mesothelioma, dealing with the uncertainty of this disease can be terrible. Even if you are in remission from your cancer, there is always the uncertainty of whether or not it will ever come back. Knowing that your cancer might appear again in your body can be extremely terrifying. However, it is important not to focus entirely on what may or may not happen. You have to learn ways to deal with the uncertainty of cancer so that you can live a normal and healthy life. Here are five ways that can help you deal with the uncertainty of cancer.

Dealing with the uncertainty of cancer can leave you feeling very stressed, so you have to learn some relaxation techniques to calm yourself down. For example, you can practice deep breathing exercises. When you are in a quiet room, breathe in very deeply and fill your stomach with air. Then, slowly let the air out by exhaling. Doing deep breathing exercises should help relax you.

It is a good idea to eat a healthy diet. Eating a balanced diet will not only help you feel better; it will also improve your health and may prevent certain cancers from coming back. For example, breast cancer is more likely to reoccur in women who are obese and do not consume many fruits and vegetables. Make sure to fill your diet with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meats and low-fat dairy products. Try to limit your consumption of junk foods like pizza, chips and cake.

Although exercising is not proven to prevent or cure cancer, it can still reduce your anxiety, improve your mood and reduce symptoms of nausea, fatigue and pain. Try to exercise for 30 minutes each day. Do activities you enjoy like walking, biking or yoga. If you start to feel tired or weak as you are exercising, you should stop until you feel better.

There is no shame in seeking therapy if you are worried about your cancer. Talking to a professional counselor can help you express your feelings and learn how to cope with your anxiety. A counselor can help you gain control of your life and teach you different ways to deal with your cancer. You can also consider going to a support group meeting so that you can be around others who know how you feel.

It is important to get enough rest at night. Allowing your body to sleep at least eight hours each night will help you recover from stressful events so that you feel better.

Dealing with cancer will not always be easy, but it does not have to make your life miserable. If you follow these tips, you will feel better about yourself and worry less about the uncertainty of cancer.

 Physical activity is known to decrease the risk for certain cancers and other serious illnesses. What's more, recent studies suggest that regular exercise can also improve overall health and quality of life for those who have already been diagnosed with the disease: this includes people who have just been diagnosed, those currently in treatment and even those in remission.

Cancer, and especially chemotherapy and other treatment methods, can have a significant effect on energy levels. Many patients experience fatigue and exhaustion of both the body and mind. Exercise can boost energy by getting the heart pumping and the blood flowing, which can improve energy levels throughout the day and lead to better quality of sleep at night.

Malnutrition and dehydration are common concerns among cancer patients. Treatments like chemotherapy, radiation and pain medication can often cause reduced appetite, which can quickly lead to malnutrition and dehydration. Without the proper nutrients and hydration, the body is unable to fight off illness. Due to this, symptoms of cancer and side effects of treatment can become worse. Regular exercise can significantly improve appetite, which greatly reduces the risks of malnutrition.

When it comes to physical fitness, cancer patients receive the same benefits as everyone else. However, for people with cancer, the benefit of improved overall body function is even more significant. Due to chemotherapy and pain management methods, nearly all cancer patients experience decreased body function. This often includes bowel and urinary disturbances, decreased mobility and general aches and pains. Regular workouts can help keep the body in better working condition by regulating blood pressure, relieving pain and improving muscle, bone and joint function. These benefits will improve the chances of remission as well as decrease the risk of other illnesses.

Depression and anxiety are common among cancer patients. Exercise can help relieve the symptoms of these conditions by promoting the release of endorphins in the brain. These chemicals boost mood and provide a calming effect on both the body and mind. Exercise also improves symptoms of depression by increasing self-confidence and allowing patients to take control and play an active role in their own treatment and recovery.

Although most cancer patients can benefit from exercise in some way, not all workouts are recommended for everyone. For example, for those who have received a mesothelioma diagnosis, difficulty breathing can make intense workouts challenging and even dangerous. For this reason, low-impact workouts like the following are recommended:

SwimmingWalkingBikingTennisYogaPilatesEllipticalWeight training

These workouts can provide many significant health benefits when performed on a regular basis. Thirty minutes, three or four times a week is more than enough to increase energy, boost mood and self-confidence, improve overall health and lend to better quality of life.

Before beginning any exercise routine, even if for those who were physically active prior to a cancer diagnosis, it's important to speak with a doctor. An oncologist or other trained medical professional can offer tips and advice, as well as recommend workouts that will work best on an individual level.