Cancer Care

Progress against cancer and other devastating diseases is being stymied by the United States’ flawed health-care system, the national leader of the American Cancer Society said in Des Moines Tuesday.

John Seffrin, the group’s chief executive officer, noted enormous strides in research into cancer’s causes and cures. But he said those successes are blunted by the fact that many Americans don’t receive adequate, timely screening and treatment.

Seffrin met Tuesday morning with Des Moines Register editors and reporters before heading off on a bus tour of presidential candidates’ campaign headquarters. The tour was part of a coordinated campaign by the cancer society, AARP, the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association.
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As a growing number of Americans are learning, surviving cancer can mean slipping into a rabbit hole of long-term medical problems — from premature menopause and sexual dysfunction to more debilitating side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, like heart disease and even new cancers.

The realization that cancer and its aftermath can go on for years has given rise to a medical specialty known as survivorship. At several major hospitals around the country, survivor programs financed by the Lance Armstrong Foundation are focusing on life after cancer.
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New Wait Time Data Shows Double-Digit Drops in the Hamilton Niagara
Haldimand Brant Area

TORONTO, May 22 /CNW/ - New data shows the Ontario government’s Wait Time
Strategy is resulting in decreases in wait times for key health services in
the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Local Health Integration Network (LHIN)
area, Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman announced today.
“Trends in the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant LHIN area are encouraging
with significant decreases in wait times for a number of key health services,”
Smitherman said. “Through the leadership and hard work of thousands of front
line health professionals, the Wait Time Strategy is clearly achieving real
results for patients by improving access to care, closer to home.”
As a result of the government’s Wait Time Strategy, wait times in which
nine out of 10 patients have completed their surgery or have had their exam in
the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant LHIN area have decreased significantly
since August/September 2005 by: (more…)

As cancer survival rates have improved in recent decades, oncologists and patients increasingly are focusing on “survivorship” — long-term, post-cancer care that addresses side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, the New York Times reports. Conditions resulting from such life-saving treatments can include menopause, sexual dysfunction, heart disease and new cancers. A 2005 report by the Institute of Medicine said, “The transition from active treatment to post-treatment care is critical to long-term health,” adding that insurers “should recognize survivorship care as an essential part of cancer care.”
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Sunscreen is crucial to protect against skin cancer and aging. Most of us already know we should buy a SPF of 15 or higher, but 10News found out some sunscreens have misleading labels. You may not be getting enough protection.

“I use it religiously actually, I am obsessed with sunscreen. I put it on before I go and if everybody else is putting it on, I put it on again. I try to get one that has a high SPF and something that says waterproof or water resistant. ” said a 10News viewer.

But there are so many different brands for sale, tanning oils with little or no protection to waterproof sunblocks with SPF 50. They all claim to be the best choice.

“It says on here it’s a sunblock lotion SPF 30 ultra sweat-proof and waterproof,” said the concerned viewer.

The makers of sunscreens will do anything to catch your eye. But here’s a warning for your next day in the sun: What they say and what they actually do are two different things.

The truth is, words like “sunblock” and other protective sounding words are misleading.

“Words like waterproof, baby sunscreen are virtually meaningless,” said Scripps Dermatologist Doctor Susan Stuart.

Stuart said labels on sun lotions can give a false sense of security.

“Sometimes a label will say UVA and UVB and they may not be getting and adequate amount of UVA coverage,” said Stuart.

The SPF factor protects you from the UVB rays. They can cause some types of cancer, but that’s only half the story.

“One of the things the FDA has not regulated or created standards for labeling is the UVA rays,” remarked Stuart.

“UVA are deeper rays that can cause melanoma, premature aging, brown spots and skin texture changes.

UVA rays go through windows whether you are driving a car, you’re on a plane or you’re sitting at your desk next to a computer, you are bombarded with UVA rays, UVB rays do not get through,” said Stuart.

The
Food and Drug Administration has no UVA rules, so manufacturers can put a very small amount in their sunscreen and claim UVA protection. The truth is on the ingredients label.

“Look for those words zinc oxide, titanium oxide, parcel 1789, the new product mexral called anthelios,” said Stuart.

Anthlelios sunscreen has a higher price tag, around $29 a bottle, but in this case you can believe what’s on the label.

“It’s a fabulous sunscreen that’s now going to give you the best UVA protection and the most dense UVA protection on the market,” said Stuart.

Another misleading word on sunscreen labels is the word “waterproof”. Five years ago the food and drug administration asked manufacturers not to use it. Look instead for water resistant.

Stuart also said don’t go overboard on SPF protection. When used properly, an SPF of 15 protects the skin from 93 percent of UVB radiation and an SPF 30 sunscreen provides 97 percent protection. Anything higher than 30 provides only a marginal amount of added protection.

source : news.yahoo.com

A study reveals patients, the public and even practitioners may have erroneous perceptions about cancer. Because patients have taken on an unprecedented role in deciding their course of treatment, their viewpoint has taken on an increased significance, researchers say. Yet, the report published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, indicates patients’ perspective on cancer risk may be off the mark.

Even among clinicians, the mind’s eye may not see the risks clearly, the researchers reported. For example, in one study, when doctors were asked whether they would release a psychiatric patient, their answers depended on the way statistical information was presented. When they were told 20 of 100 similar patients would likely commit a violent act, 41 percent refused to discharge the patient. However, when they were given the risk as a percentage — 20 percent — only half as many, 21 percent, declined to release the patient.

Similar biases occur with patients. For example, studies show people are more likely to act when they are cautioned than when they are cajoled. Thus, a woman is more apt to get a mammogram if she’s warned, “If you don’t get screened, you may die,” than if she ‘ s assured, “Getting screened can save your life,” researchers said. These influences are important to understand for both the doctor and the patient if communication between them is to produce meaningful results, the authors said. (more…)

Oregon has one of the highest skin cancer rates in the nation. And now a Eugene woman is trying to a shine a light on the problem before more damage is done.

They call her the “sun screen police.”

Studies show it only takes one severe burn during childhood to double the risk of skin cancer as an adult. That’s why Holly Guardino is doing everything she can to stop it.

Our lives depend on the sun, but too much of it can be hazardous to our health.
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For about a year now, Payton Wright’s parents have been posting updates about her health on their Web site.

Payton, a precocious 5-year-old girl from Lakewood Ranch, is battling medulloepithelioma, a rare brain cancer that has devastated her body, left her bound to a wheelchair and forced multiple invasive treatments.

Originally, the blog created by Patrick and Holly Wright was intended for friends and family. But word spread, and now thousands of people from as far away as South America are following Payton’s treatment.

Many of the reports in the blog have been hopeful, like when Holly Wright wrote how eager Payton was to leave the hospital. “She will ask me numerous time a day to spy on the doctors and nurses so that I can sneak her out,” Holly wrote last June.

But a few updates are far more grim.

Payton’s parents have spoken of “screaming inside.” And photos taken over the course of Payton’s treatment reveal the suffering she has endured.

A video clip shows her struggling to swallow because of the radiation burns to her esophagus. One picture shows an unrecognizable Payton, swollen from the steroids she was prescribed.

In the next picture she looks like a famine victim, emaciated and weak as someone supports her in the bathtub. In yet another video clip she is scratching at her face because a medication she was taking gave her the sensation of bugs crawling on her skin. To keep her from hurting herself, she wore gloves for weeks.
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Valley residents are encouraged to “limit the sun, not the fun” Saturday in Glendale for the inaugural Sunset Run for SHADE to combat skin cancer.

The SHADE Foundation of America organized the event, which will take place around Westgate City Center’s Events Plaza.

Once the sun goes down, participants will take part in a one-mile family fun race or 5K run/walk.

Kids’ treasure hunts and a sun safety expo are also planned. (more…)

Those who have reached middle age and beyond can remember when deep tans were thought to be beautiful and healthy. Back then, it was not widely recognized that hours spent sunbathing could increase the risk for skin cancer. It was not until the early 1980s that public health experts began to advise against tanning as one important way to reduce the risk of skin cancer. Older Americans concerned about this condition can learn more about it by visiting NIHSeniorHealth.gov, a website developed by the National Institutes of Health with the needs of older people in mind.

Skin cancer is the latest of NIHSeniorHealth’s 32 health topics of interest to older adults. The new Web feature defines skin cancer, covers the causes and risks, as well as symptoms, screening and diagnosis. It also explains treatments and the latest research on skin cancer. Online quizzes help reinforce the information presented as Web users explore pages within the skin cancer topic area. (more…)