For women with breast cancer who need to have radiation in addition to or instead of surgery, the prospect of enduring radiation treatments for 6 weeks can seem like forever. Now there are new shorter course radiation treatments that deliver effective, high doses of radiation in a much shorter time frame.
Do you wonder if you're at higher risk of developing breast cancer than your sister, friend or cousin? If you're like most women, you have friends and/or family who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and you may be wondering, "Why them? What about me? Am I at high risk?
Breast Cancer is still the most common type of cancer in women. Each year approximately 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Early and better detection and research that's led to advanced treatments are all improving the outlook for women diagnosed with breast cancer, and yet many of us wonder if we're at high risk. There are lists of risk factors, but making sense of what to do with the information is daunting.
I remember feeling that I was in a fog on the way home and I started to have random thoughts about loss of hair, nausea from chemo and trying to find a decent wig. I've asked other friends who've been through breast biopsies, and those who've had breast cancer and many have the same reaction. They assume, like I did that the lump would turn out to be cancer, even though all of the doctors, technicians and health care providers all say the same thing, "Only 10% of lumps turn out to be cancerous, we're just doing everything we can to get an accurate diagnosis." And still, we worry, even though 9 out of 10 will NOT be cancerous.
I remember the challenges of caring for my mom in her last stages of lung cancer. My brothers and I initiated hospice and worked with each other to navigate the process. We supported each other and many family and friends were also helpful, but there were many times that we each felt isolated and alone. I know that my mom drew strength from the phone calls and visits, but toward the end, she was too tired to leave the house, which meant that we were also housebound with her.
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in older adults, and knowing someone's risk is important because early detection is crucial to successful treatment. Age is the biggest risk factor for colorectal cancer; more than 90 percent of people diagnosed with it are over the age of 50. Make a list of the risks that apply to you or the person in your care, then use it to discuss colorectal cancer screening with the doctor.
I saw a woman, Joann * the other day who had a double mastectomy and who was recovering from her reconstructive surgery. We were talking about how she's coping with her diagnosis. Her oncologist is not recommending chemo and says that her prognosis is excellent. She has a 90% or better chance of being around for the next 5-10 years.
Our Guest Writer Today is Arlene Karidis, Freelance Writer and Cancer Survivor. This is the third part of a 3 Part Series of how beneficial the affordable Health Care Act is for real americans with real health issues.
I was interviewed for this article on the Health Reform Act. I am seeing many more patients who can now access care. There are still many more who skip medications and don't see their providers because they still can't afford it.
Our Guest Writer Today is Arlene Karidis, Freelance Writer and Cancer Survivor. This is Part 2 of a 3 Part Series of how beneficial the affordable Health Care Act is for real americans with real health issues.
Mental Health Advocates See Health Reform Law as Victory
Jennifer, a 33-year-old college student, struggles with mental illness. It’s been an ongoing battle for Jennifer, who’s founder of a nonprofit organization for cancer survivors. Fortunately, health reform has enabled her to breathe some relief.
Our Guest Writer Today is Arlene Karidis, Freelance Writer and Cancer Survivor. This is Part I of a 3 Part Series on the Health Reform Act. Many people are unaware of the positive changes that this bill has brought to people's lives.
Here is a Portion of Part I of the Series:
There’s been a lot of controversy over whether the health reform law was worth the struggle and whether it should ultimately be repealed, but it’s plainly evident from my personal experience that some folks have benefitted from it already – and why some can’t wait for provisions to kick in three years from now.
If you stopped by last week, you may have watched the 1st in a series of video interviews I did with Jan Dineen, a pediatric ICU nurse at the Lucile Salter Packard Hospital at Stanford.
Jan represents the thousands of nurses, the quiet hidden hero's that work in real life and death situations, they save lives and comfort family members every day, without any recognition or fan fare.
Please share this video. Here is th (2nd) in the 3 Part Series.
