Battling Cancer

Happy Fourth of July to our readers from the States.

Cancer Events:

The Weekend to End Breast Cancer benefiting the Alberta Cancer Foundation

60km that can change the world - July 25-27, 2008

“All over Alberta, The Weekend is helping breast cancer patients get the care they need to become breast cancer survivors. Money raised by a rapidly growing number of Walkers is funding advanced research that yields life-saving new treatments. Of course, a cure is the ultimate victory. But with every dollar we raise, with every person that gets a second chance at life, and with every step we take who shows we believe we can change the world, we are on The Road to Victory.”

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Apparently eating more servings of broccoli turns on the genes that fight prostate cancer says a new study.

The study comes from Richard F. Mithen, PhD, of the Institute of Food Research in Norwich, England.

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What’s not to love about blueberries?

They are the number one antioxidant fruit and they’re delicious.

Need a refresher on antioxidants and cancer ? See the Battling Cancer archives here .

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Next to cancer itself, defending an immune system compromised by chemotherapeutic agents is one of the most significant battles a cancer patient faces.

White Blood Cell Basics:

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I knew it all along, but now the Boston Globe has verified it. Naps are good for you.

And it seems with our recent article here on Battling Cancer about sleep that tells us insomnia is considered one of the most serious side effects of cancer–

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Sun Smart Campaigns are taking place from Australia to the U.S.

Take a peek at a few videos from all over the world:

• Australia
• Canada
• New Zealand
• Israel
• United States
• United States

Did you know that Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world? According the Cancer Council of Victoria, over 1,600 Australians die from skin cancer each year.

Summer began in February for this country and the Cancer Council of Australia kicked off summer with marie claire magazine’s launch of the SunSmart campaign together with 17 Aussie designers as part of their 150th issue to raise awareness of sun safety. All profits from the sale go to the Cancer Council. “17 designers created limited edition items like sunnies, hats, beach towels and even Swarovski-studded wedges for Australians to get the message: stay in the shade, slop on some sunscreen, and slap on a hat.”

Back in the U.S., Major League Baseball, the Major League Baseball Players Association and the American Academy of Dermatology are kicking off the Play Sun Smart Campaign to Strike Out Skin Cancer by raising awareness about skin cancer and offer detection and prevention tips for baseball player, team staff and fans.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States according to the Center for Disease Control, (CDC) who gives risk factors for skin cancer:

• Lighter natural skin color.
• Family history of skin cancer.
• Personal history of skin cancer.
• Exposure to the sun through work and play.
• A history of sunburns early in life.
• Skin that burns, freckles, reddens easily, or becomes painful in the sun.
• Blue or green eyes.
• Blond or red hair.
• Certain types and a large number of moles.

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Your rights as a cancer patient are covered by the laws listed below.

Consider this a jumping off point to your advocacy. If you are unable to self-advocate then utilize your personal advocate as recommended in the Battling Cancer archives article Patient Advocacy.

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990: Basic guidelines of the ADA include:

What is reasonable accommodation? It requires employers to modify an employee with cancer’s job responsibilities and or hours while they are undergoing treatment and beyond. This may include modification of work equipment or allowing an employee to come in late and make up the hours during treatment. Employers are not required to make changes that would require an undue hardship on the business.

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Stop by and say hello on Battling Cancer this week for a chance to win free books.

Check out Bibliophile is Back!

Upcoming Cancer Events

The 2008 Kaleidoscope of Hope Golf Classic to raise funds for ovarian cancer research.

Announcing the First Annual Kaleidoscope of Hope Golf Classic to be held on June 30, 2008 at the Brooklake CountryClub in Florham Park, New Jersey. The honored guest will be Val Skinner, a six-time winner on the Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour, and currently a golf analyst for CBS Sports and the Golf Channel. Val has been a successful advocate for many years, raising money for The Cancer Institute of New Jersey and her Life Foundation.The Kaleidoscope of Hope Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 2000 by three ovarian cancer survivors, and is dedicated to raising funds for ovarian cancer research and increasing awareness of the symptoms of this silent disease.

Team Sarcoma Initiatives

12-20 July 2008, worldwide. The 2008 Team Sarcoma Initiative is an internationally coordinated set of events to raise awareness of sarcoma and raise funds to support sarcoma research, clinical trials, and patient and family services. The 2008 Initiative consists of the “core” Team Sarcoma Bike Tour (which will be held in Germany and Austria biking along the Danube River from Passau, Germany to Vienna, Austria during 12-19 July 2008) and various local Team Sarcoma events that will be held worldwide during the same week. For more information visit the Team Sarcoma Initiatives web page to find an event near you.

Climb to Fight Breast Cancer Ventures!

Mt. Adams, Mt. Baker, Mt. Hood, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Elbrus, Volcanoes of Mexico.

“Annually, outdoor enthusiasts join together in honor or memory of loved ones who have battled breast cancer, to ascend some of the world’s most breathtaking peaks.”

The climbs begin in July and end in November. Visit the site, to re-register, register or donate.

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Today’s post is in response to a reader email.

Laetrile, also known as amygdalin, Vitamin B 17, sarcarcinase and nitriloside, was first promoted as a vitamin supplement; however it is not a true vitamin. The substance is created from crushed pits of apricots, peaches, plums, cherries, nectarines, apples, and almonds. There is no disease that is associated with a deficiency of Vitamin B 17. In the body this substance is metabolized into cyanide.

It is utilized for arthritis pain relief, to lower blood pressure and as an anti cancer agent. None of these are proven treatments.

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