Commentary: How Patients Have Transformed A Medical Meeting About Breast Cancer
By speaking up, advocates at the meeting have shifted the direction of breast cancer research. Some are alive, improbably, as a consequence of new treatments enabled and promoted by their advocacy.
For Patients, Social Media Provides Perks and Perils
Social media does have its advantages for patients. But once you post about your medical condition, you can’t take it back.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus Raises Discussion-Worthy Points In Her Breast Cancer Update
Her disclosure reflects on the positive impact of awareness, the unfortunate frequency of breast cancer, and benefits of having medical insurance.
John McCain is a fighter, no question. But can attitude affect cancer?
Language can be a powerful tool in medicine. As with physical remedies, there are potential harms and risks to consider, but potential upsides, too.
Is There A Better Place To Decide What’s Right For Patients?
Who should decide when evidence for a drug sufficient to support a patient’s decision to give it a try?
Dr. Robert Califf Shares Ideas About Real-World Evidence And Health Data
“Medicine is rapidly falling behind business in the accrual of high-quality evidence,” Califf said.
The Paradoxical Benefits Of A Web App For Cancer Patients
“This tool brings us closer to the country doctor model,” Basch said. “I never thought that survival would be impacted.”
Why The Movie About Henrietta Lacks Matters Today
What’s most compelling about the new movie is that it illuminates the patient, Henrietta Lacks, and renders her unforgettable.
At Penn State, THON—The World’s Largest Student-Run Charity—Helps Kids with Cancer
Dancing for cancer may seem a crazy idea, paradoxical, and wildly inefficient as a fundraising scheme. But it’s become the thing to do, a good karma-generating phenomenon, and year-round source of pride for the Penn State community.
On The New Year, Broken Hearts Give Impetus For Exercise
The question for the new year is not if there’s reason to exercise, or to modify your habits, but if you want to do so.
How The 21st Century Cures Act Should Support Public Health
We need and can afford both: to raise the bar so that everyone has access to modern healthcare, and to advance treatments through medical science.
Why Patients Support The 21st Century Cures Act
The Cures Act will keep the U.S. at the forefront of medical progress, a draw for scientists and doctors around the world, a source of pride.
Taboo, The Black Eyed Peas Musician, Has A Message For Cancer Patients
I’m speaking to people of all communities, he said. With “cancer there’s no prejudice. There’s no age limit. It can happen to anybody.”
Magic Johnson’s HIV Story Offers Hope For Cancer Patients
Earvin “Magic” Johnson, the basketball legend, announced on November 7, 1991 that he had tested positive for HIV.
Komen In NYC: Still Walking And Changing Awareness
Since 1983, the Komen organization has raised and distributed more money for breast cancer care, education and scientific investigations than any entity besides the U.S. government…
Ben Stiller And Howard Stern Talk About Prostate Cancer Screening. Great!
Their on-air chat cannot be summarized by “It’s all good. Just do it!” Rather, it’s about the value of men speaking and asking questions of their doctors.
What’s Different About Male Breast Cancer?
Risk factors for male breast cancer include genetic variants, obesity and high estrogen levels. As with women, inheriting a BRCA mutation can play a role.
‘Until 20,’ A Film About A Young Cancer Patient’s End-Of-Life Decisions
This is a true story about a brave young man with osteosarcoma. But it’s more than that. This is a documentary about end-of-life decisions, and how a family copes.
Lip Service To Patients And Caregivers, Or Respect? The Significance Of An FDA Panel’s Review
..as if mothers telling an FDA panel about what’s happening to their kids with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a disabling condition, is the opposite of science.
At A Conference On Cancer, Patients Take Notes Like Their Lives Depend On It
Online communities can be terrific. But in person, patients hug one another, and develop trust, bonds that last, hopefully, from one year’s meeting to the next.
Could New Lung Cancer Meds Keep Walter White From Breaking Bad?
Today, Walter White might not be doomed by his lung cancer. The harder problem is how to pay for his care.
Five Key Issues For The Future Of Cancer IT
If there’s one thing that’s become clear about precision medicine – and the delivery of optimal care based in science – it will require super technology. This need is especially urgent in oncology.
Notes From The ‘Die-In,’ A Demonstration For Metastatic Breast Cancer
Die-in for metastatic breast cancer, Washington DC, October 13, 2015 (photo courtesy of Zachary Parker)
After A Lymphoma Diagnosis, Lloyd Blankfein Has Reason For Optimism
Blankfein meets all three requisites for a positive outcome: a “curable form” of lymphoma, access and, presumably, expert-guided care.
Memo To Candidates: Support For U.S. Cancer Research Crosses Party Lines
A striking 50% of those surveyed said they’d be more likely to vote for a Presidential candidate who supports sustained increases in federal funding for cancer research over the next decade, and 10% indicated they’d be less likely to do so.
Why Women And Doctors Need To Know More About DCIS
DCIS accounts for approximately 1 in 5 breast cancer-ish diagnoses in the United States. The practical problem with DCIS is that most oncologists, surgical and medical, will admit they’re not sure what to do about it.
In Concert, U2’s Bono Sings About Progress Against HIV, With Words Of Hope From Paul Simon
The last time I heard this band play live, it was outdoors on a pier on Manhattan’s west side, in the summer of 1982 or 1983. At that time, AIDS was just starting, and most of the then-young group’s inspiring songs drew on tensions in Ireland.
Can Journalists Be Too Skeptical About Progress Against Cancer?
On Twitter this week, I happened upon a discussion having to do with the possibility of curing cancer.
How To Avoid Overdiagnosis And Overtreatment Of Breast Cancer
If overtreatment is the problem, the solution is not by avoidance of breast cancer detection, but by better education of physicians and patients.
On The Death Of Beau Biden, Brain Cancer, Progress And Hope
Brain cancer is an outlier in 2015. It’s among a handful of broad tumor types including liver and pancreatic cancer that, sadly, still kill in most cases.
Bogus Cancer Charities Are Harmful To Patients: How To Give Wisely
“If you want to give to a charity you should look it up and be sure about it,” said Leonie Giles of the Charity Navigator.
What We Might Learn From The Early-Stage Breast Cancer Disclosures Of Sandra Lee and Rita Wilson
Ignoring non-invasive conditions like DCIS and LCIS, or telling women they’d be better off not knowing about early stage tumors, is not a smart option.
Bill Clinton Speaks About Science And Cancer Research At Charity Event
“You’ll be shocked when they finally figure out how to do early detection, how relatively inexpensive it will be, quickly,” Clinton said at an ovarian cancer charity event.