According to this new study, “Being uninsured accounts for a significant proportion of racial and ethnic disparities in cancers that are only detected at a later, more life-threatening stage.” This expansive study, led by the American Cancer Society, used data from roughly 1.9 million patients diagnosed between 2013 and 2019. The findings were published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
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People With Cancer Want Financial Toxicity Discussions: ‘Very Early And Very Often’
Data obtained from this study came from a tool developed by researchers at the Columbia School of Nursing. The tool was created to predict financial toxicity among patients with breast cancer. The results were apparently more surprising to doctors than to patients.
‘Alarmingly’ few childhood cancer survivors undergo recommended surveillance for late effects
The results of this recent study show that only about one-third of childhood cancer survivors adhered to follow-up recommendations regarding late effects. This finding is indeed alarming but probably not surprising to many long-term survivors.
Susie Leigh – Founding a Movement, Shaping the Future
A Vietnam veteran, an oncology nurse, a four-time cancer survivor, and one of the founding members of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS), Susie Leigh is not just a cancer survivor; she is a pioneer in the cancer survivorship movement.
Aerobic Physical Activity Reduces Depression Among Adults With Cancer
This article focuses on the emotional benefits of physical activity, particularly regarding depression – a common late effect of cancer survivorship. From the study: “Results showed statistically significant improvement in self-reported depression 1 month — and as long as 6 to 12 months — after completion of an aerobic physical activity intervention compared with usual care or no intervention.”
Arm Symptoms Common in Breast Cancer Survivors With and Without Lymphedema
Unfortunately, many Hodgkin’s survivors have been diagnosed with breast cancer as a result of their earlier treatment. Arm symptoms, including pain, swelling, and limited movement, can be a nagging issue for these survivors, adding to what may be a long list of post-cancer ailments.
Tips for Coping with Cancer Scanxiety
Your life after cancer diagnosis and treatment will be marked by moments of hope, resilience, and strength. However, there may also be times when anxiety will cast a shadow over your journey. One of the most common sources of anxiety for cancer survivors is surveillance scans and tests. The fear of the unknown, the memories of the test results that led to your initial cancer diagnosis, and the anticipation of potential bad news can give rise to what is commonly referred to as “scanxiety.”
Caring for Caregivers
As long-term Hodgkin’s survivors, we often face years of dealing with one challenge after another. It can take every ounce of strength we have to overcome each one of them. But what about our caregivers? What is it like for them to watch us struggle or suffer, knowing that they can’t take away the pain and fear that we have to endure? How do they manage their feelings of helplessness? How do they take care of themselves while taking care of us? Where do they go for help? There are many resources available for caregivers.
Hypofractionation: Don’t Lose Sight Of The Patient
Sheilagh Foley is a long-term Hodgkin’s survivor, advocate, and author who has published numerous articles and blogs on survivorship. This article is a commentary on “Hypofractionation,” which is a radiation treatment schedule where the total dose of radiation is divided into large doses, allowing patients to complete their course of radiation faster than conventional treatment. In this article, Sheilagh raises key questions about the pros and cons of hypofractionation, including concerns about the possible long-term effects of this method.
Surgeon Roundtable: Complex and High-Risk Heart Valve Surgery
Patients, their families and medical teams can all agree that there are inherent risks when undergoing any type of heart valve surgery. That said, treatment options and approaches may change when a patient is considered “high-risk” due to complex cardiac conditions, health problems, advanced age and/or heart valve reoperations. To learn more about the therapeutic options and medical advances designed for patients considered “high-risk”, we sat down with two expert heart surgeons from the Cleveland Clinic.