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Monday, 10/06/08
Pediatric Cancer Patients Find Expression in Music
More than 100 pediatric patients and their siblings have created and recorded their music through the Purple Songs Can Fly Project, a part of the hospital's Arts in Medicine program. In the clinic waiting room or while undergoing chemotherapy, they shape their thoughts and words into lyrics, and then into original music, helped by professional writers and musicians.

Friday, 10/10/08
Many Women Unaware Obesity Raises Cancer Risk
A survey of 1,545 fairly well educated women finds 42% knew obesity raises the risk of endometrial cancer, 53% knew it may lead to colon cancer and 54% were aware it raised their breast cancer risk. Researchers at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston say health care providers must do a better job educating women about the risks of obesity.

Wednesday, 10/15/08
Reality of Breast Cancer Includes Alienation, Fear, Pain
A CNN report on what it's really like to have breast cancer finds that even with highly improved survival rates, women feel alienated and afraid. Treatments like chemotherapy can cause forgetfulness and a feeling of mental fogginess, in addition to hair loss. Many women also have to deal with significant pain throughout the treatment regimen.

Thursday, 10/16/08
Women May Not Realize Full Extent of Chemo Side Effects
Breast cancer patients starting chemotherapy usually know they face hair loss and nausea, but many don't fully understand just how debilitating the therapy can be. A recent study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute identified eight serious chemotherapy-related adverse effects that may be more common than reported by large clinical trials.

Friday, 10/17/08
ACS Reinforces Need for Annual Mammograms
The American Cancer Society said mammography proves to be 80% to 90% effective in spotting breast cancer in women who lack symptoms, and all women over age 40 should undergo annual mammograms. The group also recommends a clinical breast exam at least once every three years for women ages 20-39.

Monday, 10/20/08
Test to Detect Early Ovarian Cancer Eludes Researchers
The elusive goal for ovarian cancer is a simple test, like the Pap test for cervical cancer, that would find the disease early enough for it to be cured. So far, the only test for ovarian cancer is the CA125 test, a blood test that measures a protein found in greater concentration in ovarian cancer cells than in other cells. But as a screening tool, the test is not specific enough.

Wednesday, 10/22/08
Patients Don't Recall Details of Cancer Diagnosis Conversation
Research shows that when health care providers give a diagnosis of cancer, many patients remember less than half of the conversation. Patients with the poorest prognosis remember even less. Age had the biggest impact on recall and older patients also tended to ask fewer questions, the study found.

Thursday, 10/23/08
Panel: U.S. Government Should Invest More in Cancer Research
A presidential advisory panel said the U.S. government needs to increase its spending on cancer research amid troubling trends, including an older and more sedentary population, a large number of smokers, and a fragmented health care system. The panel's report also encouraged a more coordinated approach to cancer research, better access to health coverage and renewed efforts to fight tobacco use.

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Pain Management Fact Sheet
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services, has recently updated their pain management fact sheet.

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