Pre-and postoperative chemotherapy increases survival in gastric cancer patients

January 1, 1970 on 12:00 am | In Uncategorized | Comments Off

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In previous studies there has not shown to be an increase in survival when adding chemotherapy after surgery for gastric cancer compared with surgery alone. Most U.S. patients that are diagnosed with cancer of the stomach or lower esophagus have locally advanced disease that is hard to cure.

The MAGIC trial represents a landmark study in gastric cancer, as it is the first trial to demonstrate a survival benefit for pre- and postoperative chemotherapy. Researchers studied 503 patients with cancer of the stomach, esphagogastric junction or lower esophagus. One arm of the trial received three preoperative and three postoperative cycles of chemotherapy, the other arm of the study had only surgery.

The trial concluded that the chemotherapy group had smaller resectable tumors with negative margins, fewer patients had advanced nodal disease and the five year survival rate increased by 13 percent. It was noted that this is a significant advance for the treatment of this disease.

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Meet the Bloggers: Dalene Entenmann

January 1, 1970 on 12:00 am | In Uncategorized | Comments Off

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And now it is time for a well-deserved introduction to Dalene Entenmann, Life Sciences lead blogger. Dalene not only writes her heart out for the blogs she manages -- The Cancer Blog, The Diabetes Blog, and The Cardio Blog -- she also guides and enlightens and inspires those of us she leads to represent through words all sorts of topics pertaining to these health issues.

It is my pleasure to share with you today words that come straight from Dalene -- words that capture the spirit and passion of this talented woman.

So without further ado, I introduce you to breast cancer survivor and writer extraordinaire Dalene Entenmann.

When did you become a Life Sciences blogger?

February 2006. In May 2006, I became the Life Sciences lead blogger. As a writer and a blogger, it has been a dream job and a phenomenal opportunity to get paid to do what I love to do.

How has cancer touched your life?

In March 2002, I found a lump in my breast while showering. In May 2002, one week before Mother's Day, I was diagnosed with stage 2 infiltrating lobular breast cancer and positive node involvement. The 2.5 cm tumor had a moderately differentiated tumor grade and the surgical margin was compromised. In addition, I had other suspicious calcifications in both breasts. I was 47.

The day I was given my personal copy of the pathology report, I folded it up and slipped it into my Day Planner. It has been there ever since. At the time of diagnosis, my prognosis was not the best one you can get if you are diagnosed with breast cancer. It wasn't the worst one either. In the last four-and-a-half years, I have re-read the report from time to time. All the feelings I felt the first time I read it come back full force. It is a reminder of how blessed I am in how far I have been able to come. I am still here. My children have not had to attend the funeral of their mother.

My gratitude for being a cancer survivor is tempered with survivor's guilt. There is a part of my heart that is, and will remain, heavy with sadness and loss that all cancer patients do not survive. I cannot seem to accept the inequity.

Needless to say, the life I had always known stopped the day I was diagnosed with cancer and was transformed in challenging and interesting ways I could not have imagined ahead of time.

What advice would you give the newly-diagnosed cancer patient?

Although surviving cancer is a mysterious process to me -- because I do not understand why some of us survive when others do not -- in Cancer Go Away and 5 ways to create hope I wrote about some of the things I did when I was first diagnosed with breast cancer.

Believe in your healers -- then have faith they will do everything they can, as expertly as they can, to help you heal. Know your options -- you may not like your options but you must always realize that you have options. Know you are not alone. Never accept blame -- do not blame yourself or allow others to suggest that somehow you caused your cancer. Accept responsibility for the changes you can make to help with your healing, but never accept blame.

What advice would you give loved ones of someone diagnosed with cancer?

Just be there. Go with them wherever they need to go. Be a listener. Don't worry about doing the wrong thing or saying the wrong thing. Your love will shine through.

What advice would you give cancer survivors?

That cancer is something that happened to you but is not a part of who you are -- do not own the cancer -- try not to allow it to define you. You are bigger than the cancer.

Because I allowed my fear to run away with me on more than one occasion, I share this well-earned advice: try not to panic. If you spent the entire day gardening, and at the end of the day you feel all achy and sore, it doesn't mean you have bone cancer. Not every headache is a brain tumor. Surround yourself with things that are life-affirming. Each day, find something that inspires you. A quote, a sunrise, the giggling laughter of a child. Each day, take a humor break.

What are some of your favorite quotes:

"We must never forget that we may also find meaning in life even when confronted with a hopeless situation, when facing a fate that cannot be changed. For what then matters is to bear witness to the uniquely human potential at its best, which is to transform a personal tragedy into a triumph, to turn one's predicament into a human achievement." -- Viktor E. Frankl from Man's Search For Meaning

"Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." -- The Dalai Lama

"The world is too dangerous for anything but truth and too small for anything but love." -- William Sloane Coffin, Jr.

"All that glitters is not gold.
Not all those who wander are lost.
The old that is strong does not wither.
Deep roots are not reached by the frost." -- Tolkien

Name three books you would recommend for those touched by cancer:

Any book Bernie Siegel has written.
Pronoia by Rob Brezsney.
A blank journal to tell your own story.

Who inspires you?

My three children -- each one of them is a uniquely fascinating, intelligent, talented and authentic human being with an exquisite spirit and heart that extends into this world and lights it up brighter than it ever would have been otherwise. My husband for his hilarious sense of humor and for his calm response to my impassioned approach to life. The pioneering independence and courage of the women and men who are my ancestors. The women I call sisters in survivorship who possess a profound tender vulnerability and at the same time, a strength as tough as steel. All people who are working to make this world a better place.

What inspires you?

The goodness of people.

When you are not writing for TCB, what do you do?

I am trying to find more balance, and a shift into activities that reflect the future I envision for myself. Cancer overshadowed my perspective and hijacked the direction I was headed in before the diagnosis of breast cancer. I truthfully cannot remember where I was going before cancer. Right now, I am working on launching a blog about the creativity, comfort and charm of cottage life and in the middle of writing an almanac. I love to spend time in the kitchen adapting recipes, cooking, gardening and creating healing home environments.

Visit Meet the Bloggers to read about the other fabulous bloggers who make up the our health blogs team.
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Appetite for physical fitness diminished by fatigue

January 1, 1970 on 12:00 am | In Uncategorized | Comments Off

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I am in a slump. I feel tired and slow and unmotivated. And ever since October 14 -- when I ran in the 5K Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event -- I can't seem to find the inspiration to exercise. I am making myself do it -- here and there -- but my usual drive and push and spunk are missing. Typically, I crave exercise and feel lethargic if I don't accomplish some sort of daily physical challenge. But for the past week or so, I have no craving, no desire to walk or run or lift weights, no appetite for my usual fitness routine. I am just plain tired.

Fatigue is a common side effect of cancer treatment -- even years after treatment ends, according to some experts. So perhaps my drop in energy and enthusiasm is due to the cumulative effect of my own treatment for breast cancer that just ended in June. My treatment spanned almost two years. Maybe it's no surprise my body is lagging behind my expectations for physical health.

Experts also say exercise helps combat fatigue. I believe this -- it's why I usually like exercise. It boosts my adrenaline, perks me up, makes me feel alive. If only I could get back into the swing of things, these feelings might come flooding back. But right now, I am not even thinking about how to find my old groove. I am just too tired.
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Virtual colonoscopy: 3-D non-invasive screening

January 1, 1970 on 12:00 am | In Uncategorized | Comments Off

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Virtual colonoscopies, using a three-dimensional computed tomography colonography, is a non-invasive procedure for colorectal cancer screening and as accurate as the traditional very invasive procedure, according to the conclusion of a study conducted by University of Wisconsin researchers.

"Virtual colonoscopy produces precise and detailed 3-D fly-through images of the entire colon's interior without having to insert a scope -- there is essentially no risk of bleeding or of perforating the colon," stated Dr. Perry J. Pickhardt.

Virtual colonoscopies take an estimated ten minutes to perform, as the patient passes through a scanning machine. The researchers suggest that this new way of testing might bring more reluctant patients -- who avoid the invasive and uncomfortable colonoscopies available now -- in to be screened. Oh, ya think? Virtual colonoscopy is the screening test I would choose. Who wouldn't? Of course, if polyps or cancers are found, they must be removed by optical colonoscopy.

I cannot imagine anyone who would forego a colonoscopy if they can be offered the virtual colonoscopy screening. I certainly hope this becomes a standard in every part of the country.

To learn more about virtual colonoscopies, visit Viatronix.
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Survival Spotlight: First cancer survivor to summit Mt. Everest

January 1, 1970 on 12:00 am | In Uncategorized | Comments Off

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Sean Swarner was once given two weeks to live. He is the only person in the world to have ever had two specific types of cancer and he is the longest living survivor of one of them. When he was fourteen he was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin's Disease. He was expected to live for about three months. A year and a half after chemotherapy he was put in remission only to be stricken the second time with a very aggressive and deadly tumor attacking only three out of a million people. An Askin's disease tumor was attached to his lung and had grown to the size of a golf ball in less than four months. At this point Sean was told that he was only expected to survive for a few weeks.

Sean dreamed of helping others who were in his situation and becoming an incredible inspiration. His goal was to be the first cancer survivor to climb to the top of the earth. Sean achieved his goal in May of 2002 and still strives to climb more mountains. On the summit of Everest Sean brought a flag with names of those affected by cancer and left it at the top of the world forever commemorating the struggle of cancer patients worldwide.

Sean is one of the founding members of The Cancer Climbers Association, a non profit organization dedicated to motivating those afflicted with cancer by encouraging patients to inspire each other. Cancer Climber challenges and facilitates cancer survivors to climb their own Everest, thus overcoming their own limitations and mental boundaries.

Sean has raised cancer awareness and has instilled hope and inspiration in other cancer patients scanning the globe. Along with climbing, Sean now delivers inspirational speeches around the world.

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