Cancer Research Journal » Books

Dr Bernadine Healy Covers Cancer Etiquette in Living Time

Lisa — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:40:21 +0000

Dr Bernadine Healy, a respected cardiologist and brain cancer survivor, has written a book which includes useful advice for people wondering what to say — or not say — to a friend or family member recently diagnosed with cancer.

In 1991, President George H.W. Bush appointed Dr Healy the first woman director of the National Institutes of Health. She was also chosen to lead the American Red Cross during their response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

After being diagnosed with a brain tumor in early 1999, Dr Healy was surprised by some of the awkward comments and gestures she received from those who discovered she was a cancer patient. People who meant well would do inappropriate things like grabbing her hair to see if she was wearing a wig and one woman told her “It’s amazing how good you can look when you’re dying.”

Hoping to spare future cancer patients the discomfort of these difficult encounters, the doctor decided to include practical tips on cancer etiquette when she wrote her own book Living Time – Faith and Facts to Transform Your Cancer Journey.

One simple piece of advice she offers readers is to think about how you’d like to be treated before you start speaking. As the author says,

“One thing you don’t want to do is to instantly assume it’s terminal.”

Bernadine Healy, MD
Oliogodendroglioma Survivor

Living Time covers more than just cancer etiquette, it also contains Dr Healy’s personal and professional insights about cancer treatments and the future of cancer research. To read an excerpt from her book, click here.

Living Time is published by Bantam, a division of Random House, Inc. To find out if a public library near you carries it, check out WorldCat.org

If you’d like more tips on supporting a loved one with cancer, there’s a lot of useful information on the Common Questions on Caring and Helping web page published by Massachusetts General Hospital.

Source: CNN

Related Links: Cleveland.com; getyourheadinthegame.org

Technorati Tags: cancer books; caregiving; cancer support; mixed gliomas; oncology

Fast Ways to Find Free Cancer Books

Lisa — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:32:37 +0000

Hey I love the book store but, let’s face it, buying a bunch of cancer books can get expensive – especially when you’re a patient with medical expenses to consider.

And with chemotherapy, radiation, surgery or lab tests on the schedule, it can be hard to find the time to drive from library to library looking for good books to help you get smart about your condition.

Well, the folks at Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) are helping make cancer education a little easier. Google Book Search offers a wide variety of health books you can read for free, as well as previews of other books that haven’t entered the public domain yet. Thousands of educational books and academic journals covering oncology, medicine and nutrition from experts like the National Cancer Institute and the World Health Organization, as well as other science-related texts of interest to researchers and students (physics, chemistry, etc.) are available and easy to access.

My favorite feature: If you want to read a book using the traditional method — away from a computer screen — Google’s site will quickly assemble a list of the public libraries in your state which carry the title. I did a quick search and found more than 43,000 cancer-related titles in less than three seconds. If you decide you’d like to have the book for your permanent collection, the site also lets you know about book retailers offering the book for sale.

For those of you who want a break from studying cancer, fictional literature is available too.

Google Book Search has been around for a few years, but new titles are being added all the time so consider visiting the site again if you haven’t been there in a while. In fact, the University of California, San Diego announced earlier this month that it will be providing Google Book Search access to several million books from their extensive library so their contents can be digitized into Google’s growing database. UCSD is the first university in Southern California to commit to the project. As one UCSD librarian said,

“The library of the 21st century must effectively deliver knowledge and information in an increasingly hybrid environment where the physical and digital coexist. We are thrilled to be a contributor and partner with Google in this effort because it greatly expands access to our collections for faculty, students and members of the public, which is an essential part of our mission.”

Brian E.C. Schottlaender
Audrey Geisel University Librarian, UCSD

If you’re looking for more publications written for cancer patients or professionals, you can find additional information at the following links:

American Cancer Society Publications
CDC Cancer Resource Library
National Cancer Institute Publications

Sources: UCSD News Center and CancerResearchJournal.com

Related Podcast: Public Access to NIH Research from Science Friday on NPR

Technorati Tags: health literacy; health tools; medical publishing; ePatients; eBooks

Painting and Publishing Help Artist Survive Penile Cancer

Lisa — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:38:44 +0000

Possibly no other form of cancer is more feared or less talked about than penile cancer. A series of paintings and a book published by London artist John D. Edwards is helping change that for the thousands of men diagnosed with the disease each year.

In the early 1990s, Edwards discovered a lump in his groin while taking a bath. In a move that probably saved his life, he went straight to his doctor. A biopsy confirmed he had a malignant tumor in his lymph nodes, but the primary location of his cancer remained a mystery. After undergoing a series of tests to rule out more common cancers, Edwards received a circumcision that revealed a relatively harmless looking rash — it turned out to be the source.

Edwards began an aggressive chemotherapy regimen which included interferon injections that made his all his fingernails fall off. He struggled with describing his condition to his mother and four sisters and discovered even his fellow cancer patients were speechless when they found out he had cancer of the penis. His condition continued to worsen and his doctors proposed a penectomy, but Edwards heard about radiotherapy and opted for the intense radiation treatments instead.

Edwards, now 56, describes the therapy as the most painful experience of his life, but throughout his cancer journey he relied on his sense of humor and his painting to externalize the grief and despair he felt so he could pull through. During his most difficult times his normally colorful cartoon-like depictions turned grey and somber.

One of his darker compositions entitled “Out of this World” would later become a striking cover for his book How Cancer Saved My Life. The book also includes a touching forward by the artist’s friend Sir Peter Blake.

How Cancer Saved My Life chronicles the seven years Edwards spent battling penile cancer. An exhibition of paintings he created during his treatments is currently touring hospitals including the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London (that show runs until March 28, 2008). The artist is happy so many people are finding his works inspiring, but he hopes they’ll also serve as a warning. As he said,

“I was amazed how many men had put up with so much before they went to the doctor. I’d talk to people who had been bleeding when they went to the loo for two years before they did anything about it.”

John D. Edwards
Artist, Author and Cancer Survivor

If you’d like to learn more about penile cancer treatments in the US, you can visit the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center web site.

Source: The Independent (UK)

Related Podcast: Chronicling Cancer, In Graphic Form from NPR

Technorati Tags: coping mechanisms; male cancers; oncology; rare diseases; urethra; urology; reproductive health; Britain; United Kingdom

Canine Cancer Patients Benefit from Cliff Book

Lisa — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:10:45 +0000

An inspirational book is helping dogs with cancer receive expensive medical treatments their owners can’t afford to give them.

Cliff and I: My Dog’s Journey Through Cancer and Beyond chronicles the author’s personal experience helping her German Shepherd battle cancer.

As a tribute to her beloved pet, Cliff’s writer Joanne M. DeFluri is donating the proceeds from every copy of the book purchased through the CanineCancerAwareness.org web site to CCA’s charity fund. (Buyers also need to mark their order “CCA” for the group to get the donation.)

Canine Cancer Awareness is a nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance and support to people caring for dogs diagnosed with cancer.

Small animals commonly develop cancers similar to those found in their human counterparts including lymphomas, hard and soft tissue sarcomas, adenocarcinomas and breast/mammary cancers. As it is with humans, early detection and treatment greatly improves an animal’s chance of surviving the disease. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, dogs or cats who display one or more of these symptoms should be examined by a qualified professional as soon as possible:

Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow
Sores that do not heal
Unusual weight loss
Loss of appetite
Bleeding or discharge from any body opening
Offensive odor
Difficulty eating or swallowing
Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina
Persistent lameness or stiffness
Difficulty breathing, urinating or defecating

If you’re interested in purchasing Cliff, but you’d like to channel your charity dollars elsewhere, the $15.95 book is also available at Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com.

Source: Canine Cancer Awareness Announcements

Technorati Tags: veterinary medicine; comparative oncology; cancer caregivers; animal advocacy; cancer survivors; canine chemotherapy

Breast Cancer Book Climbs Best Seller List

Lisa — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 22:22:40 +0000

A book by 38-year-old breast cancer survivor Deanna Favre, wife of Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre, is rapidly becoming one of the most popular cancer books in recent memory.

The book, entitled Don’t Bet Against Me!, describes Mrs. Favre’s life including her battle against the disease which began with her diagnosis back in 2004. Launched by Tyndale House Publishers earlier this year, it’s already in its fifth printing and holding the number 13 spot on the New York Times Best Sellers List.

Unlike her famous husband, Deanna is uncomfortable in the spotlight and has been struggling to get accustomed to the crowds and fame associated with her new role as a successful writer and charity spokesperson. She acknowledges that it’s sometimes difficult to force herself in front of the cameras, but she feels it’s worth it if it helps increase awareness.

According to her publicist, the book signings get pretty emotional with patients and fellow survivors sharing their own stories.

In addition to her writing and busy family life, Deanna has also established the Hope Foundation, been a spokeswoman for the Packers’ pink caps fundraiser, and helped launch the annual Brown County Library Give-A-Kid-A-Book Campaign.

Source: PACKERNEWS.COM

Related Links: FOXNews.com; Wisconsin State Journal

MIT Missile Technology Targets Breast Cancer

Lisa — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:05:15 +0000

In this video from the Museum of Science in Boston, Dr Alan J. Fenn of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology discusses how radar technology originally developed for US Air Force missiles is now being tested as a treatment for breast cancer.

The innovative process involves using targeted microwaves to shrink tumors located in breast tissue.

Click here to watch Missile Detection Technology for Cancer Therapy Video from the Museum of Science

Dr Fenn reports that clinical trials involving dozens of breast cancer patients have shown promising results with minimal side effects. The next round of trials is expected to begin in 2008.

If you’d like to learn more about Dr Fenn’s work, he has published a book entitled Breast Cancer Treatment by Focused Microwave Thermotherapy.

Source: Videocasts from the Museum of Science, Boston

Tags: BRCA; thermotherapy; Lincoln Laboratory; NECN; hyperthermia

A Pep Talk from Dr Peeke

Lisa — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 13:15:01 +0000

Ladies, before you decide to skip today’s workout, you might want to listen to this motivating and informative podcast from Discovery Health.

During this final segment of Discovery’s series on women’s health and nutrition, Dr Pam Peeke explains how strength and cardio training help reduce your risk of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

The doctor manages to convey a lot of good advice and enthusiasm in only 8 minutes. If the podcast alone isn’t quite enough to get you lacing up the workout shoes, you can also check out her book, Fit to Live: The 5-Point Plan to be Lean, Strong & Fearless for Life.

Source: The Women’s Health Center at Discovery Health

Tags: breast cancer; women’s fitness

Storynory Saves the Day

Lisa — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 13:05:53 +0000

Are chemotherapy treatments or hospital stays keeping you from enjoying story hour with the kids?

Storynory to the rescue!

Storynory’s fabulous site has been offering free audio downloads of classic fairy tales since November 2005. You can download the stories you choose on a computer or iPod and the little ones can listen to the stories whenever they want.

Storynory’s archives contain popular titles by famous authors such as Hans Christian Andersen and the Brothers Grimm along with poems like Edward Lear‘s perennial favorite The Owl and the Pussycat.

I tested it by clicking on the titles of a couple childhood favorites and found the downloading was easy, plus the narrator had a delightful accent.

If you get hooked and still want more, you can subscribe through iTunes and get additional stories.

Below, you’ll also find links to a couple other sites offering children’s video and audio books in English and Spanish:

APA Magination Press

audiobooks.org

VOolume.com.br

Of course, none of these sites can replace the feeling of a book read on grandpa’s lap, but they can help keep the magic alive until everyone is feeling better again.

Source: About.com

Tags: American Psychological Association; podcast; children’s books

American Red Cross Offers New Caregiver Guide

Lisa — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 20:31:20 +0000

The American Red Cross online store is offering a new quick reference guide and DVD set designed to assist caregivers in the home.

The Family Caregiving Guide provides step-by-step instructions on a variety of topics including safely administering medications, healthy nutrition, and dealing with important financial and legal issues. It also focuses special attention on the health and well being of those giving care in a segment called Caring for the Caregiver.

“As our population continues to live longer, more and more of us will find ourselves responsible for the day-to-day quality of life for our parents or even spouses. You can only meet their needs–and your own–if you are properly prepared. Family Caregiving gives you the tools and knowledge to make the role of caregiver much easier.”
– Jean Erdtmann, RN, American Red Cross

This guide might be a useful addition to the patient library at your cancer treatment center.

Source: American Red Cross National HQ

Tags: long-term care; publications; nonprofit organizations; International Committee of the Red Cross; Red Crescent Movement

Surgeon’s “Better” Book is Relevant Reading for Cancer Patients and Their Families

Lisa — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 19:52:13 +0000

Although it doesn’t pertain to cancer alone, Better: A Surgeon’s Notes on Performance by Dr Atul Gawande has been getting some favorable reviews from survivors, especially those treated for breast cancer.

Dr Gawande is a Harvard-trained surgeon and the New York Times bestselling author of another book entitled Complications which was published in 2002.

If you’re looking for something to read between appointments or rounds, this one may be worth considering.

Source: NY Times