Liver cancer is one of the fastest-growing causes of cancer death in the U.S. and in many other parts of the world, says Mark Yarchoan, co-director of the Liver Cancer Multidisciplinary Clinic. Since the new liver cancer clinic launched a little more than a year ago, they have seen a more than 500% increase in […]
precision medicine
New Advances in Therapies: Five-Drug Combo
Posted by | precision medicine, Research, treatmentArnold’s advanced pancreas cancer that had spread to his liver was eliminated with a low-dose, five-drug combination being studied in a clinical trial led by Dung Le. Le is now testing new iterations of the therapy to see if she can help more patients. A new drug cocktail adds immunotherapy and a PARP inhibitor to […]
Great News for Lung Cancer Patients
Posted by | Issues & Perspectives, precision medicine, Prevention/Screening, Research, Survivorship, treatmentEach year, the American Cancer Society publishes data that gives a review of cancer statistics with foundational data that tells us about new cases in the U.S. and details on incidence and survival statistics state by state, overall and by cancer type. The latest report, which made headlines for a historic drop in cancer deaths, […]
Lung Cancer Expert Julie Brahmer Comments on Historic Decline in Cancer Deaths
Posted by | Issues & Perspectives, precision medicine, Prevention/Screening, SurvivorshipCancer death rates in the U.S. took the “biggest single-year drop ever,” according to a new report by the American Cancer Society. Improvements in the screening and treatment of lung cancer, the 2nd most common cancer and leading cancer killer, are a main contributor to this positive trend. Julie Brahmer, M.D., Director of the Kimmel […]
Cancer Treatment Without Hair Loss
Posted by | precision medicine, Research, Survivorship, treatmentOne evening several years ago, MiKaela Olsen, D.N.P., sat on her porch with a neighbor and spoke firmly and frankly to her as both a friend and a professional. Olsen, a Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center clinical nurse specialist, was concerned. The neighbor, a mother of two young children, had breast cancer and was strongly […]
Leading the Gene Team
Posted by | precision medicine, Research, treatmentNew faculty member directs tumor board that matches drugs with patients’ genetic targets At its core, precision medicine’s focus on finding the right treatment for the right patient at the right time is about harnessing the power of each individual’s tumor genetic information. The unique anomalies buried in each patient’s tumor are particularly important in […]
Giving Patients Better Results With Fewer Treatments
Posted by | precision medicine, Research, Survivorship, treatmentAs our knowledge of breast cancer has grown, so have the number of therapy modalities and protocols used to treat this disease, from combinations of chemotherapy to targeted treatments that attack malignant cells carrying specific genetic variations. Overall, these developments have been positive, offering patients more and better options to fight their cancers, says breast […]
Helping Patients Stay on Hormone-Blockers? There’s an App for That
Posted by | precision medicine, Research, Survivorship, treatmentOf the more than 300,000 cases of breast cancer diagnosed in the U.S. every year, about two-thirds are hormone receptor-positive, meaning a patient’s cancer is fueled by estrogen. That’s made hormone-blocking drugs a powerful weapon against this disease. However, explains breast cancer expert Karen Smith, M.D., these drugs can have significant side effects—some so uncomfortable […]
Helping Breast Cancer Survivors Reach Their Weight-Loss Goals
Posted by | Issues & Perspectives, precision medicine, Prevention/Screening, Research, SurvivorshipNumerous studies have shown that even a modest amount of weight loss can improve a variety of health-related metrics and quality of life for those who are overweight or obese. Attaining a healthy weight is important for breast cancer survivors, says new Kimmel Cancer Center breast cancer expert Jennifer Sheng, M.D. Studies have shown that […]
A Model for Breast Cancer Care and Wellness
Posted by | precision medicine, Research, treatmentNew Clinical Director for Under Armour Breast Health Innovation Center is working to make care more efficient for patients Early in Mary Wilkinson’s training, she was drawn to medical oncology because of the special relationships doctors in this specialty have with patients. Instead of patients passing quickly through her care, she formed long-term relationships with […]