Chemotherapy, designed to kill fast-growing cancer cells, can also affect healthy cells – in fact damaged healthy cells cause side effects during your chemo. Here are 7 surprising ways to manage side effects during chemo treatment: 1. Rest doesn’t always help you fight fatigue. Exercise has been shown to reduce fatigue, but you may need(...)
Lacrosse vs Childhood Cancer
Posted by Valerie Matthews-Mehl | Childhood CancerIn my “other” life, outside of Johns Hopkins, I am a devoted lacrosse mom, spending most of my weekends at the lacrosse field supporting my son and his team. So, it is particularly enjoyable to see my two worlds combine—as the lacrosse community partners with us to raise important funds for pediatric cancer research. I’m sure(...)
Apr 19, 2011 No comments
Caring for the Caregiver
Posted by Elissa Bantug | caregiving, Issues & Perspectives, SurvivorshipSpeaking at a breast cancer caregiver support group recently, I listened closely as they joked with one another about remaining in the “doghouse“ during the entirety of their wife or girlfriends’ oncology treatments and for several months once active care completed. Although they were laughing and seemed to be taking it in stride, I could not(...)
Apr 18, 2011 No comments
Video Pick of the Week
Posted by admin | treatmentI recently visited Dr. Elias Zambidis' lab to discuss his research on turning blood cells into heart cells. They pioneered a method that uses plasmids (tiny rings of DNA) rather than viruses to transfer genetic material into blood cells, which is the first among several steps on the path to becoming heart cells. Their newly-developed recipe to(...)
Apr 15, 2011 No comments
Kimmel Quotables
Posted by Michelle Potter | Issues & Perspectives, UncategorizedWho are the heroes in your life? The Daily Record chose Laurie Bryant, R.N. as their Health Care Hero. Sharon Krumm, our director of nursing had the following to say about Laurie. “Laurie's passion for excellent nursing care includes psychological, social and spiritual aspects of care. Her passion is manifested in a number of ways,(...)
Apr 12, 2011 1 comment
CJ’s mission
Posted by Evan Lipson | Patient StoriesAs an oncologist, I am fascinated by the ways cancer patients bring meaning and satisfaction into their lives. Several months ago, I met a woman named Dian (though she goes by “CJ”). She's a retired Air Force intelligence officer who is living with advanced breast cancer. Her experience with the disease has turned her into(...)
Apr 8, 2011 1 comment
Cancer Research News – March
Posted by Michelle Potter | Prevention/Screening, ResearchDr. Bill Nelson discusses environmental exposures, tailoring specific treatment and cancer risks among us. Listen to these topics discussed in the most recent Cancer News Podcast. First, Nelson reviews a recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine, on environmental sources that might contribute to cancer. He stresses two of the biggest and most(...)
Apr 6, 2011 1 comment
Reporting from the Front Lines of Cancer
Posted by admin | Issues & Perspectives, UncategorizedWar correspondent Leroy Sievers had seen his share of gruesome battles and war-torn lands, but this strong, tall, affable guy would be taken down not by a stray bullet, but by cancer. It's never fair when fate deals this blow. But Leroy used used his storytelling talent to give readers and listeners an account of this(...)
Apr 5, 2011 No comments
Report: Cancer Deaths Decline
Posted by admin | ResearchThe National Cancer Institute's latest report says that cancer deaths between 2003 and 2007 declined, continuing a trend that started two decades ago. The report also outlined encouraging news that lung cancer deaths decreased in women. Death rates for men with lung cancer began dropping in the early 1990s. Still, lung cancer remains the most(...)
Apr 1, 2011
Teachable Moments
Posted by Amy Sales | UncategorizedMy role as a social worker in the cancer center can be very humbling at times to say the least. Complete strangers often share their intimate feelings during their darkest times, and they allow me to support them whether it be through a hug or an action-oriented task to solve a problem. It’s an honor(...)
Mar 30, 2011 7 comments