Battling Cancer

Friday. Friday. Friday is my favorite day.

Cancer Events:

Marie Curie Cancer Care is sponsoring the Skimmington Castle Bike Ride. “An exciting fun filled cycle challenge, Saturday, June 7 in the beautiful surroundings of the Surrey countryside.Cyclists will set off from the Skimmington Castle public House in Reigate, either on the 47.5 mile route, for those who fancy a challenge, or the 16.5 mile route for those who feel they’d like the day to take a more leisurely pace.

Once you have completed the bike ride you will end up back at the Skimmington Castle pub for a chance to exchange stories over a well earned drink.”

Father’s Day Ride and Stride. Sunday June 15, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.

“This Father’s Day, honor Dad and support the fight against prostate cancer. Bring your family and enjoy a morning of fun at beautiful North Park, while supporting Pittsburgh’s leading organizations in the fight to defeat prostate cancer— the Allegheny General Prostate Center and the Western Pennsylvania Prostate Cancer Foundation (WPPCF). This event will include a 25K, 50K and 100K bike ride and a 2 mile fun walk. Choose either as your weapon to fight against prostate cancer and a way to celebrate Father’s Day with loved ones. We’re taking aim against this deadly disease.”

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Heard any cancer myths or legends lately? How about these?

Cancer Myths: Myths are unproven collective belief.

Did you know that the results of a 2005 an American Cancer Society survey of over 900 people who had not had cancer indicated that 75% of those surveyed believed the following MYTHS were either true or they weren’t sure if they were true or not?

• “Pain medications are not effective in reducing the amount of pain people have from cancer.”
• “All you need to beat cancer is a positive attitude, not treatment.”
• “Treating cancer with surgery can cause it to spread throughout the body.”
• “There is currently a cure for cancer but the medical industry won’t tell the public about it because they make too much money treating cancer patients.”
• “Cancer is something that cannot be effectively treated.”

Then there is the myth that lung cancer tumors spreads when exposed to air. While it is a myth, this does indicate that people’s beliefs can and do influence their treatment choices.

Have you heard that fluoridated water leads to cancer? Per the National Cancer Institute: “a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention summarized extensive research findings and concluded that studies to date have produced “no credible evidence” of an association between fluoridated drinking water and an increased risk for cancer.”

Breast implants do not cause cancer. This myth has no scientific basis. In fact it is suggested that women with implants are more likely to be familiar with their anatomy and pick up on unusual lumps or lesions. There is also no evidence that breast implants lead to breast cancer recurrences.

Articles on Common Cancer Myths:

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute: Dispelling Cancer Myths

Mayo Clinic: Cancer Treatment Myths

The American Cancer Society: Many Buy into Common Cancer Myths

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New options mean new hope for cancer patients.

While some of the treatment options listed today have been used in cancer regimes for years, others mentioned are new. What they have in common is that they may fall into the category of “what exactly is that all about?”

Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy and Hyperthermic Intraoperative Peritoneal Chemotherapy or Hyperthermic Interperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC): Intraperitoneal chemotherapy is given directly into the abdominal cavity. Intra = into. Peritoneal = abdominal cavity. Hyperthermic = heated above the temperature of the human body.

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The pancreas is considered a glandular organ. It is about 7 inches by 1.5 inches in size. It lies under the stomach and at the beginning of the small intestine, and functions as an exocrine organ by producing fluids for digesting food. It functions as an endocrine organ as it releases hormones. When released into the blood stream, these hormones regulate our glucose levels (insulin and glucagon).

Pancreatic cancer is a cancerous tumor that occurs in the tissues of this gland/organ.

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Mistletoe leaves and twigs have historically been considered a herbal remedy. While mistletoe berries and leaves are toxic and can cause death depending on the amount ingested; extract from the plant is currently being studied for its therapeutic properties. Mistletoe plant extract is considered to be a complementary cancer treatment by many researchers.

Per the National Cancer Institute: More →

Another Friday!!

Here’s what’s going on in the world:

The Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life. Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back. “Relay is fun, fulfilling, and your participation gives strength to our mission to eradicate cancer. Walk with us in this inspirational 12-hour overnight event as we come together and fight to make cancer history. ”

Buy a luminary for five dollars, before or after the event. ” Luminaries are candles that are placed in special bags that bear the names of cancer survivors and loved ones who have lost their battle with cancer. ”

Relay events are scheduled beginning May, 30th. Go to the site to find one near you and to register to participate or volunteer.

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What do you know about blood? Take the quiz. Test your knowledge here.

Donating blood is one of the easiest ways to help cancer patients. It’s an ongoing need as red blood cells can only be stored for 42 days and platelets for 5 days.

The first recorded blood transfusion was in 1492, when the Pope (Pope Innocent VIII) was transfused. In 1901, the first human blood types (A,B and O) were documents by Austrian physician, Karl Landsteiner. The fourth blood type, AB was documented in 1902 by Decatsrello and Sturli.

From 1995-1999 the U.S. government put into place regulations to increase the safety of donated blood including testing to identify genetic viruses such as HIV and HCV.

Blood Types

Break down of Blood Types in The United States

• O positive 38%
• O negative 7%
• A positive 34%
• A negative 6%
• B positive 9%
• B negative 2%
• AB positive 3%
• AB negative 1%

Source,The American Red Cross, 2007.

The Universal Donor Theory?

Per the Mayo Clinic: “There is no universal blood donor type. Donated blood is routinely classified by type as A, B, AB or O, and as Rh positive or Rh negative. In the past, people with Type O/Rh negative blood were considered universal blood donors. This implied that anyone, regardless of blood type, could receive Type O/Rh negative blood without risking a transfusion reaction.” However now it is understood that even this type of donor could cause reactions.

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Insomnia is considered one of the most serious side effects of cancer.

45% to 50% of all cancer patients deal with disturbances of sleep.

The sleep cycle consists of four stages, going from light to deep sleep and finally REM (Rapid Eye Movement). The sleep cycle takes about 90 minutes. Per SleepDex, “infants spend almost 50% of their time in REM sleep. Adults spend nearly half of sleep time in stage 2, about 20% in REM and the other 30% is divided between the other three stages . ”

Are you getting enough sleep? A typical adult needs about 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night. Many people say they only need five hours of sleep a night, but researchers have found that this is true of only about 10% of the adult population.

The typical cancer patient has many valid reasons why their sleep is being disturbed.

Causes of sleep disturbances in cancer patients:

• Chemotherapy and other medication side effects
• Pain
• Anxiety
• Nausea
• Lower GI problems such as constipation or diarrhea
• Depression
• Interruptions of sleep in the hospital
• General fatigue
• Stress

Are you sleep deprived? Find out. Test your reaction time at Sheep Dash.

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Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of cancer is a treatment which involves the placement of a needle probe into a small tumor (5-7 cm) and utilizing heat generated by RFA energy (not radiation) into the needle to destroy the tumor. Once the probe is inserted, prongs are opened for placement. A video demonstration of the procedure is available online at the American Cancer Ablation Center site.

RFA is the same type of energy used in electrosurgical cauterizing units.

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CURE: The Infinite Power of One.

Your $1 has the infinite power to change the face of cancer.

“What if you had the power to make a difference for someone facing cancer? What if you could help speed progress on life-saving treatments and protocols? What if you could help prevent millions from ever experiencing cancer in the first place?

By donating just $1, you can help accelerate cures for cancer. The Cancer Research Alliance brings 12 of the best cancer centers in the world together to raise much needed funding for research that can change the face of cancer forever. We will give your donation infinite power by adding it to all the other dollars we generate. This money will then be used to speed progress on treatments that are less invasive, more targeted and more powerful.”

Help us make this time of year, between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, a time of hope for families everywhere. Because change starts right here with the infinite power of you.”

The ACS CAN Fight Back Express! ” In 2008, the ACS CAN Bus will travel across the country, stopping in hundreds of communities to build the movement to make cancer issues a national priority. ACS CAN will bring the stories of cancer patients, survivors and friends to the presidential candidates to make cancer a priority issue in their administration. The ACS CAN, is the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy partner of the American Cancer Society. Join the fight, by purchasing miles!

In May 2008, leading right up to the presidential election, The ACS CAN Fight Back Express will hit the road to highlight cancer issues for candidates.

Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea. May 22, 2008

“Thursday 22 May is the official date of Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea 2008, but you can host a morning tea anytime in May in your office, home, school or community centre to raise money for cancer research, education and support services.” This even is sponsored by The Cancer Council Australia. More →