CRC statement regarding health care reform
Those of us personally affected by cancer see proposed changes in health insurance in very concrete terms. The changes aren’t abstractions that may affect us at some point in time in the future. Instead, the changes are very real and will affect our medical and economic well-being when a new law is implemented. The House […]
Are you a competitive athlete and a cancer survivor?
Jessica Wood, an Ithaca College graduate student in the Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences, is researching “Mental Toughness in Cancer Survivors with Previous Athletic Experience.” She’s recruiting athletes/cancer survivors for a study that provides insight into mental toughness and cancer. A competitive athlete is defined here as an individual who had two years of […]
Making friends with your oncologist
An oncologist once remarked to me that her patients routinely told her about their personal lives – like they were trying to strike up friendships. I can understand this. It’s not that patients expect their oncologists to invite them over for dinner, but there is a desire to make some sort of human connection. I’m […]
Connecting cancer scientists and cancer patients
Most cancer research begins in laboratories where scientists seek to understand why normal cells mutate into cancer cells and then travel, wreaking havoc, elsewhere in the body. These basic scientists are generally more familiar with test tubes than with cancer patients. Nationally, there’s growing interest in building partnerships between scientists and patients. For example, review […]
Why do engineers study cancer?
You probably know that cancer research is routinely done by biologists, but you might be surprised to learn that engineers increasingly contribute to our understanding and treatment of this disease. Here are some examples: Cancer cells migrate through the body to take root in distant organs. These cells have to survive the “flowing river” of […]
Cancer makes everyone stupider – and smarter
A professor recently told me that he instantly became 50% stupider when his doctor told him that he had cancer. He said that his own research in his field of study is careful and thoughtful. When he learned that he had cancer, the “careful part” of his brain shut down. Rather than thinking logically about […]
Nice people abound in the cancer world
One of the volunteers at the Cancer Resource Center recently said to me, “Every person I meet with cancer is nice.” It’s an interesting observation and one that other volunteers have made as well. I’ve been in the cancer world for more than 20 years and I think it’s generally true. Not because nice people […]
Clinical trials and cancer
People diagnosed with cancer often wonder if they should participate in a clinical trial. When someone asks for my opinion, I begin by saying that clinical trials are essential for the advancement of medicine. For example, one clinical trial found that women with early-stage breast cancer did just as well after a lumpectomy (followed by […]
Donating hair
We often receive calls from individuals who wish to donate hair that can be made into wigs for people with cancer or other types of hair loss. We’ve pulled together information about some of the best-known organizations that accept donations and some articles that might be of interest. Lather, Rinse, Donate (New York Times) I’ve […]
When your partner is in denial about cancer
I recently spoke with a woman who was stressed because her husband has cancer and he seemed to be in denial over the seriousness of his situation. What was especially upsetting to her was that he didn’t want to address any end of life issues like drafting a will. I’ve been mulling this over ever […]
