The latest issue of Breast Matters is now out on newsstands, and we have it here for you in our brand new digital design. The new issue includes news on our GAITWAY Tumor board, a group of more than a dozen experts who match treatments to the unique genetic characteristics of patients’ tumors. It also(...)
treatment
Immunotherapy for Lung Cancer
Posted by | precision medicine, treatmentIt’s lung cancer awareness month. Hear lung cancer expert Julie Brahmer and cancer genetics expert Victor Velculescu explain how immunotherapy is becoming a game changer for certain patients. Learn about the latest advances from our Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy and how we are helping patients with lung cancer live better and longer. Watch the(...)
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
Posted by | Issues & Perspectives, treatmentIt’s Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, so we wanted to gather our best Kimmel Cancer Center resources for you. Learn more about cancer vaccines and other ways our experts are working to get the immune system to fight pancreatic cancer. Watch leading pancreatic cancer and immunology expert Elizabeth Jaffee, M.D., talk about new work from our(...)
What Every Lung Cancer Patient Needs to Know
Posted by | Research, treatmentIt’s lung cancer awareness month. “Many times patients come to us and they’ve been told they don’t have hope. We always have hope,” says Peggy Lang, nurse practitioner and coordinator of the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center Thoracic Multidisciplinary Clinic and Lung Cancer Screening Program. In this video, she explains what every patient facing a(...)
Epigenetic Drugs Reset Genes in Breast, Colon Cancers But Didn’t Shrink Tumors
Posted by | Research, treatment--Two clinical trials suggest promise for using these medications in combination with other cancer therapies Two clinical trials using combinations of drugs meant to change cancer epigentics —or the way tumors express genes — failed at shrinking colon and breast tumors. However, these trials open the door for others currently in the works to combine(...)
Advanced Cancer Patients Should Receive Palliative Care Soon After Diagnosis, Guidelines Suggest
Posted by | treatmentPatients with advanced cancer should see a dedicated palliative care team composed of a doctor, advanced practice nurse, social worker and chaplain starting early in their diagnosis, according to guidelines issued by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), says the Johns Hopkins doctor who is the senior author. These guidelines, say Thomas J. Smith,(...)
What does palliative care during my cancer treatment do for my family caregivers?
Posted by | caregiving, treatmentPalliative care isn’t just for cancer patients. The palliative care team can support your family and caregivers as well as you during your cancer treatment. Our expert team can provide your family and caregivers: A communication bridge to facilitate communication between you, your family and your treatment team; Relief for the stress, worry and sadness(...)
Does palliative care help me with more than cancer pain?
Posted by | caregiving, treatmentWhile pain relief is important, relief of other symptoms such as nausea, fatigue and shortness of breath also may be a part of your palliative care. You might seek palliative care for emotional, social or spiritual support, rather than for your physical pain or symptoms. Care teams include experts such as physicians, nurses, social workers(...)
When can I receive palliative care during my cancer treatment?
Posted by | caregiving, treatmentWhen you’re a cancer patient, every day matters. To ease your symptoms and stress, you may receive palliative care, if appropriate, right from the time of your diagnosis. You also can ask your doctor or nurse for your palliative care options at any point during your treatment, since palliative care can be coupled with curative(...)
How do I decide whether to seek palliative care as a cancer patient?
Posted by | caregiving, treatmentWhen you’re considering palliative care as part of your cancer treatment, consider these criteria for deciding whether it’s right for you. How severe is your illness? Palliative care addresses serious or chronic diseases, such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, and Alzheimer’s, among many other diseases. Do you need emotional, physical or spiritual support? Palliative care isn’t just for(...)