Financial Support for Cancer Patients: Where’s the Money?
Guest post by Dr. Nancy Novack–a clinical psychologist, cancer thriver, and expert on all things cancer financial matters–shares important resources that all patients, oncologists, and healthcare professionals should be aware of to lessen the burden of cancer.
What Makes Exceptional Cancer Patients Exceptional?
Glenn explores the phenomena of cancer outliers, exceptional responders and radical remissions in the age of precision medicine, biomedical informatics and integrative oncology.
Does ‘Complementary Medicine’ in Cancer Care Cause Early Death?
A recently published paper in the esteemed JAMA Oncology triggered dire headlines, including this one in The New York Times:
“People who used herbs, acupuncture and other complementary treatments tended to die earlier than those who didn’t.”
Really? Is this true?
My Dad in the Twilight of Life
We enrolled dad into in-home hospice a couple weeks ago. It’s been a challenging process. Mine is a nuclear family of five, nine different cancers between us. No one has yet succumbed to the disease.
EWG: Our Best Resource To Inform Against Harmful Chemicals
For 20 years, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has been the stalwart investigative organization scrutinizing unsafe chemicals and toxins in our food, water, cosmetics, and cleaning products.
Consumer-Direct Genetic Testing: ‘Consumer Power’ or ‘Grief’ Ahead?
Given the easy access to direct-to-consumer (DTC) DNA testing, it is vital to discern the potential value versus possible emotional and physical risks that having such data might present.
Microbiome’s Impact on Cancer Treatment: Strategies for a Healthy Gut
Investigation of the human microbiome has grown exponentially in the last five years. A recent study regarding its potential impact on certain cancer treatment outcomes stopped me in my tracks. The human body contains about 40 trillion microbes, which is now thought to equal the total volume of human cells each body possesses. These bugs […]
Cancer Treatment ‘Right-to-Try’ Bill: Pros, Cons, Unknowns
The Right-to-Try movement—advocates for faster access to potentially life-saving experimental drugs for terminal patients—has gained strong momentum, with the act recently winning easy passage in congress, and, at the time of this article, it is on its way for a senate vote. The legislation is widely anticipated to become law later this year. As of […]
When Cancer ‘Care’ Can Hasten Death
Treatment or quality of life; are they mutually exclusive? For select patients, and not just the elderly, when it comes to cancer treatment and potential outcomes, it is important to consider the quality of life in the months or years of treatment over the potential months or years of extended life.
Defined By Cancer
I frequently read or hear this declaration issued by survivors who have moved on with their lives, at their own pace and purpose, even in the face of uncertainty: “I am not defined by cancer.” Of course, I understand and respect this… I just wonder if it is truly possible.
PLUS: Bonus Guide—10 Essential Steps to Take Control of Your Cancer Journey