Note: The contents of this blog are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or substitute for professional care. For medical emergencies, dial 911!
Posts with tag AmericanCancerSociety
Posted Jun 20th 2007 3:55PM by Vicki Blankenship
Filed under: Blood Cancer, Bone Cancer
The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 16,600 new cases of myeloma are diagnosed each year in the United States. Bone pain is the most common early symptom of myeloma. Most patients feel pain in their back or ribs, but it can occur in any bone. The pain is usually made worse by movement.
Patients fatigue more easily and often feel weak. They may also have a pale complexion from anemia which is a common medical problem for patients with myeloma and may contribute to the fatigue. If the disease progresses, the concentration of normal cells in the blood may also decrease. Headaches, bruising, nose bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding, and tingling or numbness in extremities are all symptoms of myeloma.
Patients may have repeated infections because antibodies to invading viruses, bacteria or other disease agents are not made efficiently of in adequate amounts. Urinary tract, bronchial, lung, skin, or other sites of infection may be the first sign of the disease. In addition, recurrent infections may complicate the course of the disease.
Posted Jun 13th 2007 8:31AM by Martha Edwards
Filed under: All Cancers, Books, Cancer Survivors
Attention cancer survivors: Do you want to inspire others with your story? Reader Anna Rubin (thanks for the tip, Anna!) e-mailed us with the following information. The American Cancer Society is putting together a new book called
What Helped Get Me Through, which, in their words, "is a collection of first person accounts in which cancer survivors talk candidly about what helped them through the ordeal of diagnosis, treatment and recovery, offering practical advice and wisdom, from people who have walked down the long road of cancer and back to health."
If this appeals to you, please visit
this link and fill out their questionnaire.
The book is set to be released in 2008, and I know I'll be picking one up. What about you?
Posted Jun 29th 2006 3:17PM by Vicki Blankenship
Filed under: Prostate Cancer
The use of Taxotere (docetaxel) based regimens for women with late stage breast cancer has been available since 2001. Studies today find that the use of Taxotere (docetaxel) improve survival rate and the quality of life and helps reverse progress of metastatic hormone refractory prostate cancer.
Today the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), UK, released a guidance that recommends that all eligible patients with prostate cancer have access to the cancer drug. Taxotere® (docetaxel) has an acceptable increase of side effects. The most commonly reported adverse reaction associated with Taxotere® (docetaxel) is low white cell count, which may lead to infection, but is reversible and not cumulative. Other common side effects include flushing, skin rash, chest tightness, back pain, anemia, nausea, sore mouth and taste change, diarrhea, hair loss, hypersensitivity and tiredness.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men, excluding skin cancer. American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates for 2005 include 232,090 new cases of prostate cancer in the US. Year 2005 estimates include 30,350 deaths occurring from prostate cancer in the US alone, making it the second leading cause of cancer death in men.
Posted Apr 8th 2006 11:11AM by Dalene Entenmann
Filed under: Brain Cancer, Leukemia, Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Lung Cancer, Colon and Rectal Cancer, Prevention, Hodgkin's Lymphoma
According to the American Cancer Society,
cancer deaths could be cut by 50 percent if we all lived by lifestyle guidelines guaranteed to eliminate many cancers.
None of this is new news, but it comes as a new study. In the annual
Cancer
Prevention and Early Detection Facts & Figures 2006, the advice remains the same, and we all know it by rote.
Stop smoking, exercise, lose weight, eat nutritional food, protect yourself from the sun and go in for early diagnostic
cancer screenings. We have been told, we understand -- we get it already. Enough.
Tell us something we do
not know that can help us. Tell us about the causes of cancer we cannot be blamed for -- that we did not bring upon
ourselves in our errant lifestyle choices -- because the underlying message in how to cut cancer deaths in half, is one
of blame. Tell us what causes the other 50 percent of cancer deaths. Tell us what you are doing with the millions in
dollars publicly and privately raised, that is new news. You might start with the toxic chemicals saturating our
environment; the carcinogens allowed in the products sold; or in the modified enhanced foods that come to market. We
are not quibbling with you about the known lifestyle choices that can lead to a dramatic 50 percent reduction in cancer
deaths -- we agree -- but we want to know more about what we do not know. Information that is new news and not simply a
nag-fest in recycling the obvious, because that's too easy, and it's lazy. Too many of us are out here living by the
rules set to prevent cancer and are dying of cancer anyway, and we want to know why.
Posted Apr 3rd 2006 4:33PM by Heather Craven
Filed under: Breast Cancer
A fatal crash in Martinez,
Georgia, involving 10 motorcycles and a car marred an otherwise jubilant
Relay for Life event on Saturday night. The
fund raiser, part of a national effort to raise money for
breast cancer, involves an all night relay in which teams walk or run laps to help raise awareness and education for
breast cancer and for the American Cancer Society. The coroner has not released the name of the male motorcyclist who
was killed during the event. The female driver of the car was not injured. Relay for Life is a wonderful event and
brings much peace to the participants. As the teams walk or run throughout the night, friends and loved ones are
remembered and celebrated. To read more, click
here
for additional information.
Posted Mar 29th 2006 2:22PM by Dalene Entenmann
Filed under: Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Lung Cancer, Colon and Rectal Cancer, Prevention
The Asian American Network for Cancer Awareness, Research and Training and the American Cancer Society have
launched the Asian and Pacific Islander Cancer Education Material,
APICEM,
web portal, as a searchable online database of Asian language cancer materials. The Asian and Pacific Islander Cancer
Education Materials Web destination is designed to help Asians and Pacific Islanders with limited English-speaking
abilities gain access to information on how to reduce their risks from preventable malignancies, including cancers of
the breast, cervix, colon, liver, lung and stomach. APICEM provides links to participating websites that have Asian or
Pacific Islander education materials. The materials referenced have been screened by the participating websites for
medical accuracy and cultural relevance.
Posted Mar 23rd 2006 11:33AM by Dalene Entenmann
Filed under: Breast Cancer, Prevention
It came as a sudden shock to Paul Schmitt when his sister died from breast cancer. Her daughter, and his
niece, died from breast cancer while his sister lay in a coma, dying from the same disease. She never knew her daughter
passed away.
On April 26, 2006, Schmitt, who is 62, will begin a 12,000 mile bicycle trip that will take him
to the 4 corners of the U.S. - from Allentown, Pennsylvania to St. Augustine, Florida, west to San Diego, California,
north to Anacortes, Washington, east to Bar Harbor, Maine and south back to Allentown, Pennsylvania. Schmitt will be
raising money for the Bethlehem chapter of American Cancer Society's Relay For Life in Macungie. Schmitt is hoping to
cover 135 miles a day to complete his trip in 90 days.
Schmitt, a former professional soccer player, can
make this trip happen. He competes in biathlons several times a year. He runs 3 miles and bikes 20-25 miles a day. If
you would like to support his efforts, visit
Senior Biker, to learn more.
Posted Mar 19th 2006 4:44PM by Dalene Entenmann
Filed under: Prevention
In Pennsylvania, UPS will be helping the
American Cancer Society, ACS, by delivering bunches of daffodils to cancer patients at medical centers in communities
statewide during the annual Daffodil Days campaign. Between March 20 to March 26, bunches of daffodils will be
available for a $7 dollar donation, which are then delivered to cancer patients.
The money raised during
ACS's
Daffodil Days goes
to continuing research into finding a cancer cure and cancer programs sponsored by the ACS. In some communities, local
ACS volunteers deliver the daffodils to cancer patients, so it is nice to hear a company as big as UPS is lending a
helping hand in delivering flowers. Explains one of the reasons why UPS was rated “America’s Most
Admired” company in its industry in an annual survey conducted by FORTUNE magazine.
Posted Mar 16th 2006 11:23AM by Dalene Entenmann
Filed under: Prevention
American Cancer Society, ACS,
Relay For Life is an overnight team event
to celebrate cancer survivorship and raise money for cancer research and cancer programs. All cancer survivors in the
community are invited to join the Survivors Lap, part of the opening ceremonies of the Relay For Life event. During the
event, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walking or running laps. Each team tries
to keep at least one team member on the track at all times. At the end of the day, the Ceremony of Hope and Luminaria
are special tributes to remember those lost to cancer, support those fighting cancer, and celebrate cancer survivors.
Communities aross the country are looking for volunteers and participants in their local Relay for Life. For more
information, visit ASC's
Relay For
Life webpage, for details on how to sign up, or contact your local ACS office.
In 1985, Relay for
Life began with one man, Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon, who wanted to create a way to raise more money
for his local American Cancer Society office. On September 19-20, 2006, nearly 4,000 American Cancer Society
Celebration Ambassadors will gather in Washington, DC for Celebration on the Hill 2006, an event designed to impress
upon the nation's lawmakers how the American Cancer Society is waging the fight against cancer in communities
nationwide.
Posted Mar 13th 2006 1:18PM by Dalene Entenmann
Filed under: Prevention
Conxion
clothing, a small surf clothing company, is offering an exclusive cancer awareness tee shirt, with all proceeds
going to the American Cancer Society. According to Conxion, their clothing line is not just a brand, but a lifestyle.
Inspired by nature, sport, and technology, the most innovative and fresh clothing ideas are now transformed into
wearable works of art.
If you are interested in showing your support for the fundraising efforts of a small
surf clothier and contributing to The American Cancer Society, the Conxion cancer awareness tee shirt is available for
purchase online.
Posted Mar 11th 2006 6:43PM by Dalene Entenmann
Filed under: Breast Cancer, Prevention
Next Wednesday, Berkeley College Republicans will
host
Dunk a Republican to raise funds for
breast cancer research. Berkeley College Republicans president Josiah Prendergast, vice president Amaris White, and
Melanie Smith, editor of the campus conservative monthly California Patriot, will take turns in the tank. All proceeds
go to the American Cancer Society.
It's a bi-partisan event. Other event supporters are the Associated
Students of the University and the Cal Berkeley Democrats. Of course, there is the element of political barbs, as when
Scott Lucas, Cal Berkeley Democrats president says that he is looking forward to dunking his counterpart Republicans on
Wednesday as much as he will be come next November's election. All in good fun, all for a good cause.
Posted Mar 4th 2006 11:22AM by Dalene Entenmann
Filed under: Breast Cancer, Prevention
The story that underarm
antiperspirants cause breast cancer has been referred to as an unfounded and persistent internet email rumor, a myth to
be debunked, an urban legend. The American Cancer Society clearly states the claim of underarm antiperspirants leading
to breast cancer untrue, as there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.
University of Reading's
Dr. Philippa Darbre disagrees, and presents mounting evidence to suggest the breast cancer risk of underarm
antiperspirants is more than myth or urban legend, and is calling for additional studies of the dangers antiperspirants
may pose to a woman's breast health. In a
review
article published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology, Dr. Darbre points to an aluminum-based compound found in
antiperspirants, when absorbed into the body mimics estrogen, the hormone responsible for estrogen-positive breast
cancer, the most common type of breast cancer.
"Aluminum salts form a major source of aluminum
exposure in humans," Dr. Darbre said, "but the effects of widespread, long-term and increasing use
remain unknown. It is reasonable this aluminum could influence breast cancer."
Posted Feb 23rd 2006 8:29PM by Dalene Entenmann
Filed under: Prevention
In March, the American Cancer Society, ACS, launches the nationwide Daffodil Days program, a chance for individuals
and community groups to contribute to the Society's mission of providing education and support for those who have been
affected by cancer, and to raise funding for continuing research in finding a cancer cure. To the ACS, the daffodil,
one of the first flowers of spring, is a symbol of hope for a world free of cancer. You can contribute online, with the
Daffodil Days e-Card® program, which allows
you to send a Daffodil e-Card to anyone, anywhere, at any time, for any reason. Or, you can give the Gift of Hope, and
by making a contribution in honor of a loved one, a local Society volunteer will deliver a bouquet of daffodils
anonymously to a cancer patient at a medical center in your community.Posted Feb 18th 2006 8:33PM by Dalene Entenmann
Filed under: Prevention
Greek
Peak Mountain Resort and the American Cancer Society are hosting the first-ever
Vertical Challenge east of the Rocky Mountains. The 24-hour event
will offer competitive challenges for individuals and teams, and for all levels of ability and age. Vertical Challenge
individuals and teams compete with other participants in two ways - by total dollars raised and total vertical feet
achieved by Nordic or Alpine skiing and tubing over a 24-hour period. Vertical Challenge will begin March 4th. Greek
Peak Mountain Resort is located in New York. Donations to Vertical Challenge will go to support American Cancer Society
research, education, advocacy, and prevention programs.
Posted Feb 18th 2006 2:17PM by Dalene Entenmann
Filed under: Lung Cancer, Prevention
In California, volunteers are making a
statewide effort to collect one million signatures needed for a November 2006 state ballot initiative to raise the
tobacco tax on cigarettes by $2.60 per pack. The
initiative, if passed, will provide an additional
$2.27 billion annually to fund emergency room care, nursing education, children's health insurance, tobacco use
prevention programs, and disease research and treatment efforts.
Sponsoring the initiative is The Coalition
for a Healthy California, an umbrella organization of members including the American Cancer Society, American Lung
Association of California, American Heart Association, The Children's Partnership, the California Hospital Association,
the California Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, California Emergency Nurses Association, PICO
California, Children Now, California Primary Care Association, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, Association of
California Nurse Leaders, Emergency and Acute Care Medical Corporation, and the California Association of Physician
Groups.
According to the American Cancer Society, for each ten percent increase in the price of cigarettes,
there is a corresponding seven percent reduction in teen smoking, and an overall reduction of four percent. Smoking is
the most preventable cause of cancer deaths.
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