Saturday, May 28, 2011

10 Simple Gestures of Kindness with Healing Power

posted by Ann Pietrangelo May 27, 2011 3:05 pm

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Living with Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
(#12 in a series)

In my post on 10 Odd Things to Say to Someone with Breast Cancer, I said, “Trust me on this … the most effective and most appreciated gestures are the simple ones.” Seriously, if you’re ever wondering if you should pick up that phone, send that email, or bake some cookies for someone who is ill, please don’t allow awkwardness to stop you. Do it!

Allow me to share some simple kindnesses that meant the world to me.

1. My breast surgeon hugs me and my husband at every appointment. It feels genuine, and there’s a certain healing power in that.

2. One day my oncologist followed suit and spontaneously hugged me because he “admired my spirit.”

3. I received a postcard from the mail carrier I don’t even know. She’d heard from a neighbor that I had cancer and wanted to let me know that she cared.

4. One day I received an express package from an acquaintance halfway across the country. What could it be? Cookies. Beautiful, tasty cookies! The enclosed note said that she knew it was “kinda lame,” but she wanted to let me know that she was thinking of me. No, it wasn’t lame, I assured her. It was a perfect way to express a kind thought and I smiled the afternoon away. And we made short work of the cookies, too.

5. Like mystery elves, there are anonymous people who donate hand made hats and blankets to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and some who bring goodies like cookies and hard candies to share. These little treasures mean so much to the people receiving treatment. That blue crocheted shawl/blanket got me through some chemo sessions and will always serve as a reminder — not of chemo, but of the spirit of giving. Too bad the givers aren’t always around to see the recipient’s smile. When I’m better, I plan to do the same.

6. My long-distance family drove nine hours to spend a weekend infusing me with strength before I began treatment.

7. My long-distance kids took the time to visit with me, and spread out those visits so I could have plenty of one-on-one time with each of them. There’s no better tonic.

8. Then there are the people I hadn’t heard from in a long time, but who made the effort to call or send an email. I know it was awkward for some of them, and they were truly at a loss for words, but merely making the gesture is powerful enough.

9. Words cannot express how I felt when Care2′s founder, Randy Paynter, decided to “shine one glorious sunbeam of collective love” to “bring a little bit of karmic balance back to the world.” That particular sunbeam was aimed at me and, if I ever underestimated the power of words, I shall never do so again. Nearly a thousand people took the time to comment on the post, others sent a direct email, and still a few more sent cards. Words, when backed by true compassion, really do matter.

10. Friends, acquaintances, and people I’ve never even met have expressed concern through emails, comments on posts, and through Facebook and Twitter. It’s nice to check in and find a cheery note of support waiting like a gentle hug.

Sure, there are some people who surprised me by backing away, but to dwell on that would be a mistake. Those folks have their own problems and it’s not really about me.

Since the diagnosis of breast cancer, I’ve found it easier than ever to focus on the positive, thanks to the thousands of kindnesses, large and small, that have found their way to me.

How does one repay such generosity of spirit? By showing kindness to others, by shining a light on someone else who needs it, by saying a simple, “thank you.” These are not tasks to be checked off a “to do” list, but a lifetime process.

Thank you.

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10-simple-gestures-of-kindness-with-healing-power.html

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Breast Cancer Surgery

Surgery combined with other treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, is the most common treatment for breast cancer. The type of surgery that is performed depends on a number of factors, including the stage of the disease. Types of surgical procedures used to treat breast cancer include lumpectomy and mastectomy (e.g., modified radical mastectomy, simple [total] mastectomy, radical mastectomy, partial mastectomy).

Following breast cancer surgery, some women choose to have breast reconstructive surgery. It is important to discuss this availability of this option with your physician while developing your overall treatment plan.

This section contains lists of questions to ask your doctor about breast cancer surgery. Print these pages, check the questions you would like answered, and take them with you to your doctor appointment. The more knowledge you have, the easier it is to make decisions about your breast cancer treatment.

Questions to Ask about Breast Cancer Surgery

Are you board-certified?
Do you specialize in breast cancer surgery?
What type of surgical procedure will be performed to treat my breast cancer? Why do you recommend this type of surgery?
About how many times have you performed this procedure?
Do you recommend that I have an axillary lymph node dissection? Why or why not?
What are the benefits and risks associated with axillary node dissection?
Will I have breast reconstruction surgery following the procedure? If so, when will this surgery take place?
What tests will I need prior to surgery?
How should I prepare for the procedure?
What type of anesthesia will be used? How long will the procedure take?
Might I require a blood transfusion during surgery?
What will be the course of action if you discover during surgery that my cancer is more extensive than previously thought?
What types of complications may develop during surgery?
Will I be admitted to the hospital after surgery? If so, how long will I be in the hospital?
What can I expect following the procedure? How will my pain be managed?
Will I need to have a surgical drain? How do I care for this drain and when will it be removed?
How will my breasts look and feel after surgery? Can I expect normal sensation to return?
What will my scar look like?
Who should I contact if I have questions or experience complications after the procedure? Telephone number to call:
When can I resume normal daily activities following surgery?
How often will my condition be monitored after surgery to treat breast cancer?

http://www.healthcommunities.com/breast-cancer/patient-information/surgery-questions.shtml

Fairport cancer survivor shares her story

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BETHANY YOUNG | Messenger Post

Linda Ross was determined to follow through with her pregnancy after being diagnosed with breast cancer five months into it. "I just had to do it," she said.

Fairport, N.Y. —

It was 1991 and Linda Ross was five months pregnant with her second child. Then she found a lump on her breast.

Her mother and two sisters had previously been diagnosed with breast cancer, and although her doctor doubted her intuition that the lump was cancerous, she couldn’t help but think, “It’s my turn now,” she said. “I just knew.”

A biopsy proved her suspicions were correct. The doctor immediately told her it would be best to terminate her pregnancy because her baby wouldn’t be able to survive the destructive chemotherapy, but Ross immediately refused. After having a stillborn baby at five months, the 32-year-old was determined to follow through with this pregnancy and give her 10-month-old son Kevin a little brother or sister.

Nevertheless, her doctor pressed her to have an abortion, and even referred her to a physician in Colorado who performed long-term abortions. The next day, she saw a special on “60 Minutes” that featured the same doctor. Although shocked at the timing, she felt more and more comfortable with her decision to have the baby. Ross then underwent masectomy surgery with positive results — the cancer had not spread to her lymph nodes. This improved her chances of survival after prolonging treatment until after pregnancy.

In May of 1992 she gave birth to her daughter, Kristi. She then followed through with chemotherapy and has been cancer-free ever since. Miraculously, so have her mother and sisters who also battled the disease.

With endless support from her husband Stan, Ross says that having her daughter with her throughout the ordeal gave her more strength to beat cancer by making the pregnancy her primary focus.

“I felt like she was with me the whole time,” said Ross. “She’s very strong-willed,” she added with a chuckle.

Today, Kristi is 19 and attends the University of Central Florida.

Ross, now 52, works with children at the Early Learning Center at St. John Fisher College. She and her family members who were diagnosed all found their tumors through self-examination — something whose importance Ross can’t emphasize enough. Through her own experience, Ross has learned that it’s important to know your body and be an advocate for yourself.

On May 21 she was the guest speaker at the Fairport Relay For Lifeevent, which raised more than $129,000 for the American Cancer Society. Although it’s been nearly two decades since she was first diagnosed, it finally felt like the right time to share her story with others.

“When people see some kind of strength in me, what do I have to lose?” she said.

http://www.fairport-erpost.com/feature/x1836098090/Fairport-cancer-survivor-shares-her-story

http://www.roswellpark.org/media/video/side-effects-breast-cancer-treatment-report-wgrz-channel-2

Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatment Report on WGRZ Channel 2

Exercise among breast and prostate cancer survivors-what are their barriers?

Ottenbacher AJ, Day RS, Taylor WC, Sharma SV, Sloane R, Snyder DC, Kraus WE, Demark-Wahnefried W.

Source

University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA, ajottenb@utmb.edu.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Despite proven benefits of regular physical activity, estimates indicate that few cancer survivors meet physical activity guidelines. The purpose of this paper is to identify and compare exercise barriers among cancer survivors, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally as they undergo home-based behavioral interventions.

METHODS:

Data on a sample of 452 breast and prostate cancer survivors who completed the FRESH START trial were analyzed collectively, as well as separately by cancer type.

RESULTS:

More total barriers (3.5 vs. 2.4; p < 0.01) were reported among breast cancer survivors compared with prostate cancer survivors. Commonly reported baseline exercise barriers among both groups were "too busy" (breast, 52% and prostate, 45%) and "no willpower" (breast, 51% and prostate, 44%). At baseline, breast cancer survivors who reported "no willpower" also reported 18.7 fewer minutes of physical activity compared with those not reporting this barrier (p < 0.01). Among prostate cancer survivors, this difference was 39.5 min (p < 0.01). Change in barriers was not associated with change in minutes of physical activity from baseline to post-intervention in either cancer survivor group.

CONCLUSIONS:

This is the largest study evaluating barriers and physical activity over time among cancer survivors. There are similarities and differences that both need to be taken into consideration when promoting physical activity among subgroups of survivors. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Knowledge concerning barriers associated with reported physical activity may be helpful in designing optimally targeted physical activity interventions among breast and prostate cancer survivors.

PMID:: 21598023; [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21598023

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Breast Cancer Blog Directory: Navigating Cancer

https://www.navigatingcancer.com/explore/breast/blogs

Navigating Cancer has developed powerful, easy to use tools for cancer survivors to help you manage your recovery and obtain the best care:

"Navigating Cancer is a great resource for patients. The tracking tools and reporting functions allow us to understand patient experiences so we can provide the best care" — Linda Bosserman, MD, FACP, President, Wilshire Oncology Medical Group

This is a wonderful reference resource sharing other people's experiences with cancer.

Genes and the Microenvironment: Two Faces of Breast Cancer

23 May 2011, 3:25 pm

In this April 21, 2008 Berkeley Lab event, a dynamic panel of Berkeley Lab scientists highlight breast cancer research advances related to susceptibility, early detection, prevention, and therapy — a biological systems approach to tackling the disease from the molecular and cellular levels, to tissues and organs, and ultimately the whole individual. Joe Gray, Berkeley Lab Life Sciences Division Director, explores how chromosomal abnormalities contribute to cancer and respond to gene-targeted therapies. Mina Bissell, former Life Sciences Division Director, approaches the challenge of breast cancer from the breast’s three dimensional tissue microenvironment and how the intracellular “conversation” triggers malignancies. Mary Helen Barcellos-Hoff, Deputy Director, Life Sciences Division, identifies what exposure to ionizing radiation can tell us about how normal tissues suppress carcinogenesis. The panel is moderated by Susan M. Love, breast cancer research pioneer, author, President and Medical Director of the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation.

http://cancertype.me/genes-and-the-microenvironment-two-faces-of-breast-cancer.html

Spa mum to take on charity challenge despite undergoing cancer treatment

8:40am Tuesday 24th May 2011

AN inspirational Droitwich Spa woman is set to take part in Bromsgrove’s Race for Life event despite bravely battling against breast cancer.

Thirty-five-year-old Manuela Kemsies, from Showell Grove, will raise nearly £2,500 for Cancer Research by completing the challenge this weekend.

The determined mum, who was only diagnosed with cancer in December, will line-up at the annual event on Sunday (May 29) after only recently finishing the first stage of her treatment.

After a number of tests at Birmingham City Hospital last year, Manuela was told that the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and that the treatment would have to consist of chemotherapy, mastectomy and radiotherapy.

She started the chemotherapy in January and only finished the last session at the start of this month. She now faces the next two parts of her treatment in the coming months.

However, she has not let that stop her highlighting the illness or raising much-needed funds by aiming to take part in the challenge.

“I would like to raise awareness of breast cancer with my story,” said Manuela. “I have successfully coped with the first of three parts of my treatment and am now going to take part in Race for Life.

“One night I went out with my friends and one asked if anyone liked to do the Race for Life in Bromsgrove. I got very excited about doing the race and signed up. I also started getting sponsorship straight away and have so far raised £2,263.

“I would like to thank everyone who supported me by sponsoring me. I would also like to say a big thank you to my fiance Tony O'Hora and my two-year-old daughter Emily for always being there for me and giving me a reason to keep fighting.

“I would also like to thank family from Canada and Germany, friends from Gaudet Luce Golf Club, the “Spring Meadow” crowd for their generous donation for Cancer Research, friends and colleagues from South Birmingham College, and to friends Ursula, Carly, Becky, Helen and Evie for doing the Race for Life with me.”

Manuela has even set up a website to help other people who experience hair loss as a result of cancer treatment after designing a headscarf for herself.

“It was devastating to be diagnosed with cancer, the fear of going through chemotherapy treatments and the feeling of isolation. For me, the scariest prospect was that of losing my hair. I know from my own experience how distressing it is to lose your hair and how important a comfortable head cover is.

“Right at the beginning of my journey I was searching for head covers for when my hair would fall out. I bought a variety of headscarves, hats and got myself a wig, but nothing seemed comfortable and I felt very self conscious. “I have designed a headscarf which combines an elasticated headband and scarf for my own use and have created a website at www.comfyheadscarves.com where other people can get them.

“I want to help raise awareness of breast cancer and get more women to sign up for Race for Life to help and support the incredible work everyone at Cancer Research is doing,” she added.

http://www.droitwichadvertiser.co.uk/news/9043379.Spa_mum_to_take_on_charity_challenge_despite_undergoing_cancer_treatment/

Genetic Information Can Guide Effective Breast Cancer Treatment

Submitted by Pallavi Sharma on Tue, 05/24/2011 - 10:38 Health Research TNM
In a recent study, scientists discovered that using the genetic information of a breast cancer patient could help doctors determine whether or not chemotherapy would be an effective way of fighting cancer. Some experts have even gone as far as calling this development the “crystal ball” of breast cancer treatment.

One of the biggest decisions made in treating breast cancer is whether or not to have preventative surgery or use chemotherapy. Using the genetic information, doctors can discover whether or not chemotherapy would be effective on a patient. Currently, different pieces of genetic information are already used to guide prediction and prevention of breast cancer, and now it can be used for treatment.

“Prediction is always a good thing, because when you can predict accurately, you can pre-empt”, said Dr. Charis Eng. “So, let’s say this ‘crystal ball’ says this person is not going to do well after standard treatment for early breast cancer. That would make their physicians much more vigilant, trying to catch things that come back very, very early or to even give very aggressive treatment”.

According to medical experts, this type of treatment prediction could cut the cost of health care significantly and would allow doctors to attack tumors and help patients get better without wasting valuable time.
http://topnews.net.nz/content/215157-genetic-information-can-guide-effective-breast-cancer-treatment

Monday, May 23, 2011

Cancer Patients Benefit From Full Access to Medical Records

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Study finds it boosts their satisfaction and trust in treatment

MONDAY, May 23 (HealthDay News) -- Cancer patients who are given full access to their medical records feel a greater sense of satisfaction about their treatment, a new study finds.

The French researchers also found that providing comprehensive and accurate medical information built trust between patient and doctor.

Published online May 23 in the journal Cancer, the study analyzed 295 patients recently diagnosed with lymphoma, breast or colon cancer. All were being treated with chemotherapy.

The patients received either "on request information" or an organized medical record (OMR) -- a briefcase full of detailed information about their condition and treatment. That information included reports on everything from surgery to radiology and pathology results, along with nurse narratives and treatment observations. Along with the OMR, they were given guides on medical terms and how to understand the material, as well as help from medical staff to decipher the various documents.

Ninety-eight percent of the patients who were offered an OMR chose to take it.

Patients who received on-request information were only provided with information and medical records if they asked for them or their doctor offered them.

Similar anxiety levels and quality-of-life scores were reported in the two groups.

But, patients with OMRs were 1.68 times more likely to be satisfied with their medical information and were 1.86 times more likely to feel fully informed, the study authors noted.

And 70.4 percent of the patients who received an OMR said they would choose again to receive it, with 74.8 percent saying they did not regret their choice. Moreover, the majority of those patients reported that the OMR had not been the source of any anxiety.

"Information is crucial to make decisions regarding treatment options and, for the patient and his family, to better cope with the disease and its implications," study author Dr. Gwenaelle Gravis, of the Paoli-Calmettes Institute in Marseille, said in a news release from the journal's publisher. "Having full access to his own medical record with the possibility to consult it only if desired increases the patient's trust in the physician and medical team."

More information

The American Cancer Society provides insight on how to cope with cancer in everyday life.

http://www.cancercompass.com/cancer-news/article/36896.htm?utm_source=twitter.com%2Fcancer_buzz&utm_medium=twitter&utm_term=cancer&utm_content=cancer