Cancer Research Journal » Programs and Initiatives

Dragon Boat Races Benefit Breast Cancer Survivors

Lisa — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 20:35:04 +0000

CNN reports some modern-day breast cancer survivors are feeling better thanks to an ancient Chinese sport: dragon boat racing.

The vibrantly colored dragon boats get their name from the fierce dragon heads mounted at their helm. Today’s 40-ft vessels hold 20 paddlers who, like their ancient predecessors, maintain their rowing speed to the powerful beat of a massive drum. The traditional Chinese sport dates back more than 2000 years, but has just recently spread to the United States.

In addition to gaining popularity as an exciting spectator sport, dragon boat racing is catching on with breast cancer survivors who’ve discovered paddling these crafts through water can help them recover from the lingering side effects of treatments.

Organizers of breast cancer rowing teams report paddling increases strength, improves range of motion, reduces pain, and provides relief from chronic symptoms of lymphedema. The practice sessions also keep team members exercising regularly, a practice shown to improve cancer survival rates.

Approximately two dozen breast cancer survivor dragon boat teams currently compete around the United States. Besides the physical and recreational benefits, boat racing can also improve mental health by boosting self confidence. Survivors who participate in the races say the experience is like attending a floating support group. As one said,

“They know what I’ve been through. I know what they’ve been through. If you want to talk about cancer, you can and if you don’t want to talk about cancer, you don’t have to.”

Beverly Booth
Breast Cancer Survivor and
Captain, Steel Magnolias Dragon Boat Team

While the sport can be a lot of fun, survivors are cautioned to check with their doctor before they begin paddling or other exercise programs. (If you’re OK’d to participate, remember to ask your provider if you need to restrict your paddling to a specific side of the boat. This may be a necessary precaution for some individuals.)

If you’d like to read about other ways to improve your health after cancer, you can check out Nutrition and Physical Activity During and After Cancer Treatment from the American Cancer Society.

Source: CNN.com

Tags: Atlanta; complimentary and alternative medicine; fitness; holistic health; mastectomy; natural remedies; outdoor recreation; cancer pain management; physical therapy; rehabilitation; survivorship; weight control; women’s health

Cancer Concerns Halt Prison Computer Recycling Programs

Lisa — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:10:11 +0000

A federal prison in the United States has suspended prisoner work programs after an ongoing Department of Justice investigation revealed hundreds of prisoners, government employees, visitors and family members may have been regularly exposed to dust particles containing carcinogens and other environmental hazards released during recycling projects.

Preliminary findings from a two-year investigation by the Office of the Inspector General indicate hundreds of inmates and staff members who participated in electronics recycling programs may have been exposed to toxic dust particles while they were dismantling computers in a UNICOR warehouse.

According to the report, protective gear was not worn and workers routinely wore their work clothes back to their residences so other prisoners, prison employees, spouses and children who didn’t participate in the dismantling of computers may also have been unknowingly exposed to hazardous materials.

UNICOR is a US government-owned corporation operated by the Federal Prison Industries, Inc. The company employed more than 23,000 inmates last year as part of job rehabilitation programs – about 1,200 of those were employed in recycling programs nationwide.

Occupational health experts warn recycling used electronics can cause health problems if not done properly. Specifically, tearing apart computers or televisions by hand without taking the necessary safety precautions can expose the body to arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury particles that promote cancer and other diseases.

After the Inspector General found recycling facilities at Elkton Federal Correctional Institution in Ohio had 50 times more lead particles in the air than deemed safe by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards, Elkton’s recycling facilities voluntarily shut down on June 27, 2008. The IG plans to conduct further inspections of similar operations around the US.

While the final results of the DOJ investigation are still pending, dozens of inmates, staff members, family members and visitors to the UNICOR recycling operation in Marianna have already filed suit in Florida courts seeking damages for cancers, heart and lung conditions, miscarriages, skin lesions and other medical problems associated with heavy metal exposures. Union members at a Texarkana, Texas, prison are considering a similar court action.

If you’d like to learn more about environmental carcinogens, you can visit the American Cancer Society web site at www.cancer.org. If you’d like to learn the symptoms of heavy metal poisoning, there’s some useful information at dermnetnz.org.

Source: ABC News

Do You Really Want to Help a Cancer Patient? Donate Blood

Lisa — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:53:35 +0000

Back when I was routinely getting chemotherapy and radiation treatments, people asked me almost daily if there was anything they could do to help me.

Kind and generous folks offered me quilts, baseball caps or scarves, pill containers, stress balls, rides to the hospital, medical books and shoulders to cry on…it was all mine just for the asking.

I’m not just talking about the doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers involved in my treatment either. Along with the dedicated professionals who provided my medical care, there were relatives, friends, neighbors, nonprofit organizations, religious groups, fellow cancer survivors, co-workers and complete strangers offering to support me through those difficult days.

Most of the time I politely declined their offers telling would-be supporters I didn’t need anything while thanking them for their generosity. I could tell they really wanted to help, but I simply couldn’t think of anything I needed other than to be healthy again. After they got several assurances I would call if I ever changed my mind, they moved on and I continued with my life as a cancer survivor. Unable to help me directly, some did fundraising for scientific research (wonderful!), but many said they still wished they could do more.

Well, it’s been three years since my last treatment and I’m hoping some of those offers are still good. That’s because I’ve finally thought of something you can do for me and all the other cancer survivors out there: GIVE BLOOD.

I’m not sure why I didn’t ask sooner – maybe it was chemobrain. Back when I was in the military I, along with most of the people I worked with, regularly gave blood because…well…war and disaster relief are bloody businesses. Blood mobiles would routinely show up at our installation and we’d form a line, fill a bag, and enjoy a cup of juice afterwards. I guess most military professionals just figure donating is part of our duty to those we serve and serve with. (For similar reasons, civilian medical professionals tend to donate quite a bit too.)

After I started my cancer treatments, I couldn’t donate blood (turns out I still can’t — for now at least). That means I lost the opportunity to help my buddies in the oncology ward who are still battling for their lives.

The American Red Cross reports that every 2 seconds somebody in the United States needs a blood transfusion.

Every 2 seconds.

Thousands of those relying on lifesaving blood cells, platelets or plasma products are cancer patients. They may need blood because chemotherapy diminished their platelet supply, they could be a child with leukemia needing blood transfusions, or a breast cancer patient having a lumpectomy. They could even be a cancer survivor having an organ transplant.

All these cancer therapies and many more take blood – sometimes lots of blood.

A single leukemia patient can use 8 units of platelets daily for 2 to 4 weeks. One liver transplant takes an average of 10 units of red blood cells. I never required donated blood products while I was in the military, but my I consumed a couple units once I had my oncology surgery.

That’s why I’m asking for your help now. It’s really hard for me to see people I care about fighting The War on Cancer knowing I can’t replace the blood somebody generously donated to help me. Until I’m eligible to donate again myself I’m doing what I can which includes asking you, our Cancer Research Journal readers, to help.

I realize most of you probably envisioned something a little different when you offered your support to me or other cancer patients, but please trust me when I say this is one the best ways you could ever help the cancer community.

So, if you’re healthy enough and it’s not against your personal convictions, please consider giving blood. If you’re up to it, make time to go regularly and bring a friend.

If you’re a cancer survivor — or some other survivor who isn’t eligible to donate blood products – remember you can still help the cause. Organize blood drives in your community or suggest blood donations to anybody offering you support. You can even post a suggestion or public service announcement on your own web site. Consider your efforts a payback to all those who helped you make it this far.

If you live in the US and would like to locate a blood donation center near you, visit the American Red Cross Give Life web site at www.givelife.org or ask the staff at your local hospital.

To everyone who finds a way to contribute, my heartfelt thanks. You are truly giving the gift of life.

Source: CancerResearchJournal.com

Technorati Tags: cancer support; charity

Candidates Share Cancer Plans at 2008 LIVESTRONG Summit

Lisa — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:05:27 +0000

If you’re a cancer survivor, cancer advocate or oncology professional with time to travel this month, consider a trip to Columbus, Ohio.

Why Columbus?

The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) is hosting a major cancer summit at Ohio State University on July 24-27, 2008.

Organizers of the summit are planning to bring together 1,000 leaders from across the country to discuss the future of cancer research in the United States. By bringing together cancer survivors, healthcare professionals, major media outlets and prominent politicians, the event hopes to raise awareness about the importance of legislation funding scientific research related to cancer prevention and treatment.

The summit will also help voters learn candidates’ plans for addressing the cancer epidemic before ballots are cast this fall.

Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain has already confirmed he will attend the 2008 LIVESTRONG Summit. Democratic candidate Senator Barack Obama has yet to respond to LAF’s invitation. (If you know him, please encourage him to accept.)

Whether Senator Obama makes the time to attend or not, the summit is an important step in keeping cancer research on the national agenda. As LAF’s famous founder said,

“We have 10,000,000 cancer survivors in this country. If they all came together and said, that’s it, that’s our issue — we’re going to vote that way, we’re going to ask the hard questions, and we’re going to hold our leaders accountable, then that’s how you affect change.”

Lance Armstrong
Champion Cyclist, Testicular Cancer Survivor, Cancer Advocate

To learn more about government funding for the National Cancer Institute, visit the NCI Office of Budget and Finance web site at http://obf.cancer.gov/.

Source: LIVESTRONG Newsletter

Technorati Tags: cancer awareness; government grants; election issues; national health policy; nonprofit organization

More Breast Cancer Surgeons Learning Plastic Surgery

Lisa — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:48:11 +0000

The Wall Street Journal reports a growing number of oncology surgeons are learning how to cosmetically repair breasts after they’ve removed tumors. This training allows the same doctor to treat a patient’s breast cancer and perform breast reconstruction during a single surgery instead of requiring another operation at a later date.

Oncoplastic surgeons are cancer surgeons who take additional courses to learn plastic surgery techniques. Advocates of oncoplastic surgery say having removal and reconstruction done together speeds both a woman’s psychological and physical recovery.

Costs and risks of complication are also reduced because fewer operations are needed.

Some cancer treatment centers without oncoplastic surgeons already offer oncoplastic surgery services, but the procedures must be conducted by two different doctors — one oncologic surgeon and one plastic surgeon. However, a shortage of reconstructive surgeons in rural and midsize cities means this option is not available in many areas.

A spokesman for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) says the group applauds surgical oncologists trying to improve patient satisfaction, but ASPS cautions health care consumers that no professional board certification currently exists for the oncoplastic specialty. Prospective patients should ask about the specific qualifications of the provider(s) performing any oncoplastic procedure. As the spokesman said,

“To think a surgeon can learn how to do this in a weekend course is unwise.”

Michael McGuire, MD, FACS
American Society of Plastic Surgeons

American Cancer Society (ACS) statistics indicate that more than 180,000 women and nearly 2,000 men in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008. To learn more about the disease and its treatment options, visit their web site at www.cancer.org.

Source: Wall Street Journal Health Blog

Related Links: MayoClinic.com; Reuters; ASPS.org; WSJ.com

Technorati Tags: aesthetic surgery, BRCA-1 BRCA-2, ductal carcinoma in situ, lumpectomy and mastectomy, mammoplasty, multidisciplinary approach; women’s health

Horse Power for Life Offers Free Lessons to Cancer Patients

Lisa — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 21:16:31 +0000

A Pennsylvania-based nonprofit group is offering free horseback riding lessons to cancer patients of all ages.

Horse Power for Life is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Chesterfield County, Pennsylvania. Its goal is to improve cancer patient/survivor quality of life through therapeutic programs involving horses.

Horse Power for Life provides 16-week educational and recreational horsemanship programs to cancer patients and one accompanying family member at no cost. Both students will learn how to properly feed and care for horses, receive horseback riding lessons from trained equestrians, and enjoy fun horse-related activities like painting decorative horseshoes.

Organizers of the program report cancer patients improve their emotional, physical, and social well-being through interaction with companion animals. A survivor’s balance and muscle strength are improved through horseback riding and confidence is restored as new skills are mastered. As one breast cancer survivor whose testimonial is published on the program’s web site said,

“The program has given me a passion for life that I haven’t had for a long time, I just absolutely love it.”

Horse Power for Life lessons are conducted by experienced riders at Banbury Cross, Ltd, a facility which has both outdoor and indoor riding arenas and horse stables. To enroll as a student, cancer patients must have their current doctor certify they’re healthy enough to participate and emergency medical releases must be completed.

Horse Power for Life was incorporated in August 2007 and is the first organization of its kind in Pennsylvania. The results of the program’s opening months were so encouraging, the program is being expanding this year with support from a Howell Lockhart Seiple Trust 1 grant from Wachovia Trust.

If you’re in the Pennsylvania area this month and would like to support Horse Power for Life, they’re hosting a charity fundraiser at Warwick County Park on Sunday, July 13, 2008. (To learn more about Woofs 4 Hoofs Dog Walk for Cancer, click here.)

If you have questions or are interested in participating in Horse Power for Life programs, they can be reached by phoning (484) 341-8393.

For information about other outdoor recreation programs available to people living with cancer, try the Cancer.Net web site operated by the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Sources: horsepowerforlife.org and businesswire.com

Related Links: Reuters; Philanthropy Journal

Technorati Tags: cancer recovery; mental health; oncology; volunteer

Walk-In Cervical Cancer Screening Works Well in Canada

Lisa — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:41:20 +0000

Doctors in British Columbia have found an easy way to encourage more women to get screened for cervical cancer: offer Pap tests on a walk-in basis.

After survey results showed more than a third of young adult women were not being routinely tested for cervical cancer, health officials decided to offer screening without requiring an appointment. To test the idea, the BC Cancer Agency offered Pap tests on walk-in basis at 12 medical clinics for one week in May 2008.

The test program expected to attract women who were skipping annual exams because they didn’t have a family physician, but the clinics were surprised to find many patients who had doctors were also attracted to the program because it was easier to fit into their busy schedules. As the project’s organizer said,

“…they used this opportunity because it was convenient or easy, so maybe the convenience of not having to make an appointment was important.”

Dr Dirk Van Niekirk
BC Cancer Agency

The results of the pilot program were so encouraging the Agency has announced plans to expand the program throughout British Columbia in February 2009.

If you’re a patient in the United States who’d like to learn more about cervical cancer and Pap smears, you can visit the American Cancer Society web site.

Source: CBCNews.ca

Related Video: Barbara Lawton’s Cervical Cancer PSA from YouTube

Technorati Tags: early cancer detection; cancer prevention; gynecological cancers; gynecology; HPV; oncology; reproductive cancers; squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix; women’s health

All UK Cancer Patients Will Get Information on Clinical Trials

Lisa — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:58:39 +0000

Health officials in the United Kingdom are implementing a new program to ensure patients with cancer and other serious diseases are kept better informed about ongoing clinical research related to their condition.

The goal of this new government program is to increase patient awareness about clinical trials taking place to advance medical research. The program calls for all patients to be routinely informed about scientific studies relevant to their case.

In addition to keeping individuals updated on new treatment options, the initiative also seeks to make it easier for patients who meet study criteria to participate in clinical trials.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson announced his plans for the new program at a summit hosted by the Prime Minister commemorating 60 years of research by the National Health Service. During his speech, Secretary Johnson praised the contributions of past patients, clinicians and scientists whose research efforts have helped ensure the health of today’s population. When asked about this new initiative, the head of the UK’s leading cancer charity had this to say,

“It shows a commitment to provide more information about the health research taking place in this country, and to involve and recruit more patients in clinical trials. This is good news for patients, both now and in the future.”

Harpal Kumar
Chief Executive, Cancer Research UK

If you’re a cancer patient in the United States who’d like to learn more about clinical trials being conducted both here and abroad, you can ask your oncologist or visit http://clinicaltrials.gov/.

Source: Cancer Research UK News

Technorati Tags: cancer awareness; health reform; England; outreach programs; patient-centered care; public health education; volunteers

Parents Seek Organ Donors Using Social Networking

Lisa — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 23:05:43 +0000

The parents of a terminally-ill baby girl in the United Kingdom are using a popular social networking site to search for possible organ donors.

Bethany Dawson, who is a little over one year old, was born with a medical condition known as gastroschisis which required her to undergo 15 surgeries before her first birthday. Her doctors put her on the liver and intestine transplant list in March 2008, but a suitable donor has yet to be found.

Dr Girish Gupte, the consultant at Birmingham Children’s Hospital in charge of her case, reports that Bethany’s case is complicated by the fact that she needs a complete liver and intestine transplant from a donor weighing less than 66 pounds or 30 kilos – the approximate weight of a child 10 years old or younger.

When doctors told the couple their daughter couldn’t survive to her second birthday without an organ donation, they decided to set up a web page on Facebook telling her story and urging people to join the organ donation program.

Worldwide networking platforms, like the one used by Bethany’s parents on Facebook, and other social media tools like MySpace and YouTube, are not only helping patients and caregivers get in touch with others in similar situations, they’re helping raise international awareness about organ donation, cancer prevention, and other important health issues.

ABC reports nearly 30,000 people logged on to Bethany’s Facebook page during the past week. Much of the site traffic is from the United States which currently has more than 99,000 patients (including cancer survivors) on the transplant waiting list. When asked about the Facebook initiative, Bethany’s physician said,

“As a doctor, any family that is encouraging organ donation is good news for the transplant team simply because of the shortage of organ donors in the UK.”

Dr Girish Gupte
NHS Birmingham Children’s Hospital (UK)

To learn more about the organ donation program in Britain, visit http://www.uktransplant.org.uk/ukt/. For information about programs in the US, go to http://www.organdonor.gov/.

Source: abc NEWS

Technorati Tags: birth defects; pediatric medicine

MD Anderson and Duke Help Breast Cancer Survivors and Their Daughters Drop Weight

Lisa — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 22:42:31 +0000

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and the Duke University Medical Center have started a program to help breast cancer survivors and their daughters get fit after cancer treatments are done.

Daughters and Mothers Against Breast Cancer, called DAMES for short, is a one-year diet and exercise program sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. The program is being conducted as part of larger study exploring possible ways to improve the health of former cancer patients and their families.

To be eligible for DAMES, both the mother and daughter must be overweight (with a Body Mass Index of 25 or more), but not participating in another weight loss program. Mothers must have been diagnosed with breast cancer within the last five years and at least 50 years of age to enroll in DAMES. Daughters must be 21 years of age or older.

Women who participate in the free program will be provided with various resources (diet/exercise journals, pedometers, iPods, etc) to help them develop healthier lifestyles and their progress will be monitored by scientists. As one survivor who joined the program said,

“I gained some weight during my treatment and it’s been hard getting into a regular exercise routine. By participating in DAMES, I believe that I may have that extra incentive to exercise daily and eat healthy because my weight will be monitored regularly by the study researchers.”

Alejandra Leon
Breast Cancer Survivor

To learn more about the DAMES, call 1-866-566-4108 or e-mail DAMES@geri.duke.edu.

Source: MD Anderson Cancer Center – Cancer Awareness and Prevention