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Micro Array Technology

Micro Array Technology: A Cancer Care Break Through... [Posted on 1999-12-31]


Reflections

National Post columnist Gillian Cosgrove, writes a moving account of her best friends battle with breast cancer. [Posted on 2001-05-27]


Cancer Research in the 21st Century

Cancer Research in the 21st Century: Dr. Jim R. Woodgett discusses the future of cancer research... [Posted on 2001-12-31]


Breaking through...

Breaking through the breakthrough hype... [Posted on 2001-12-31]


New Technologies

New Technologies: Reasons to believe our children will not fear cancer... [Posted on 2001-12-31]


Here's to our unsung heroes

Here's to our unsung heroes... [Posted on 2001-12-31]


Insights Into Cancer Diagnosis and Options

This article was written by Nancy Milton, whose mother Ruth was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in 1999. Ms. Milton offers some valuable insights into what kinds of things families should do when faced with a cancer diagnosis. [Posted on 2002-05-27]


Cancer Information

This article discusses many aspects of cancer, including its history, and various treatments and therapies used over the years to assist cancer patients. [Posted on 2002-06-24]


If Smoking Can Kill You, Why Not Just Quit?

In 1986, my mother Marilyn, died from lung cancer at the age of forty eight, and in 2002, my father Barry, passed away from cardiovascular disease. Both deaths were related to the smoking of cigarettes over a period of many years, and could have been avoided. The unfortunate fact is that many families face similar losses of loved ones due to chronic smoking. The question arises as to why when medical, financial, social (anti-smoking norms), and other consequences of smoking are so well documented and pervasive, people continue to smoke at alarming rates, and many of them never quit the habit. [Posted on 2003-11-07]


Anxiety, Fear and Chemotherapy

Anxiety, Fear and Chemotherapy by Maurice Kouguell, Ph.D., BCETS. DIPLOMATE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF EXPERTS IN TRAUMATIC STRESS (With gratitude to Dr. Dwight Damon for encouraging me to write) Surgery for Colon Cancer was on August 13th 2002. As soon as I discovered I had cancer, I started to research how to participate in my healing journey. It was important that I become proactive and use any and all resources available to me for my successful journey. Since most of the techniques involve manipulation of the body’s energy field and using nutrients, it is recommended to consult with your health care provider before trying any of the following. Looking back, I am convinced that I was being prepared for the experience of cancer. Over the past three years, I had experienced an important surge in my emotional and spiritual development. I developed techniques for myself to curb anger and channel it into unconditional acceptance. I have attained a comfortable level of self acceptance and acceptance of others. (I also feel that I was being prepared to help others in their journey.) I have found that a support system is essential. SUPPORT SYSTEMS Kathi is my wife, my mentor and my hope. She is not only caring and loving, but is endowed with an incredible wisdom and insight. She is my primary support system and a major player in my everyday life. The experience of cancer is not limited to the patient alone. It becomes a family affair. It becomes a mutual journey of concerns, fears, support and special care stemming from unconditional love in a marriage. We continue to learn from one another and grow. Rev. Dr. Marcy Seidel, a spiritual healer, and I met over 10 years ago when we both gave workshops at the U.N. I had consulted with her on some personal issues and was amazed not only by her psychic abilities but also by her intuition and wisdom. We had several phone consultations and I felt that I had been guided to reach out to her. Dr. Seidel played a major role in my spiritual journey, not only through her prayers, but also with her ability to combine her wisdom and psychic gifts. Cristina, an old friend who went through some very difficult times in her life and struggled with her own anger, found her way through the Bible and I graciously and gratefully accepted her guidance and reintroduction to the Bible. She also became a mentor to me. The support from my extended family and the daily calls from my brother Alex were most welcomed. Many dear friends prayed for me and sent me healing energy. I am very fortunate to have found a physician, Dr. Peter Degnan, who understands and encourages my proactive participation. He listens to me and I can’t emphasize enough how important it is for anyone, especially someone with cancer, to have an internist who is brilliant, listens and understands the mind-body-spirit connection. It was my good fortune that he is also trained in Chinese medicine, acupuncture and nutrition. Maureen Armstrong, a Reiki master, came highly recommended. Not only is her work most beneficial, but also somehow she always appears to be there for me at the most unexpected times, even just before surgery, or sees to it that someone works with me during chemotherapy if I feel the need. But above all, Kathi’s selfless support plays an important and extensive role in my daily life. Let me add here that I have had some knee/walking problems for a number of years and have had to be driven around and at times cared for. We have agreed that we have to accept the present. This is the way it is for the moment and for me to apologize because of my temporary limitation is not acceptable. She goes with me for every chemotherapy session and we both agreed that her presence would be honored only by mutual agreement. We have to be as honest and frank with one another as possible. There are times when there is nothing she can do. Acceptance is essential. And so it is. CONCERNS ABOUT THE SIDE EFFECTS OF CHEMOTHERAPY My concerns about the cancer and chemotherapy side effects were reinforced by one of my physicians who stated repeatedly that “once you have cancer, you are never the same.” At that point I realized it was imperative to find another doctor. My apprehension was also reinforced by one of the nurses who described the process and side effects of chemotherapy as being incredibly devastating. Fortunately, I was trained in surrounding myself with a “mental shield of protection” and avoiding negativity from others. Still, of all the side effects of chemotherapy, the ones I dreaded most were nausea and vomiting. BEING PROACTIVE IN YOUR TREATMENT It was important for me to take charge of my emotions and to be proactive on my journey. The following are some of the techniques I have used: Self Hypnosis remains one of my strongest tools Emotional Freedom Techniques * Staying in the present and practicing the “Power of Now” Acupuncture Reiki Massage Therapy Physical Therapy Aryuvedic herbs Sea bracelets Ginger candies, teas etc Peppermint candies, teas etc. Smelling peppermint aromatic oils Affirmations Prayers TAKING CONTROL FOR ME MEANS ELIMINATING FEAR SELF HYPNOSIS Although a practicing hypnotherapist for over 25 years as well as being versed in Mindfulness, Energy Therapies, Guided Imagery, Visualization et al, I chose to turn to the works of my colleagues for additional insight. I listened to several tapes produced by my colleagues. Knowing and using self-hypnosis remains the most potent tool for me. (I do not believe that there is one technique suitable to every one and therefore suggest that the interested learn from a reliable hypnotist.) Even though I practice Emotional Freedom Techniques, I felt too close to my own situation and needed objective guidance. I was fortunate to consult with, and receive an immediate response from, Dr. Pat Carrington a few days prior to my surgery. She e-mailed me the following: This article was taken from http://www.brooksidecenter.com/anxiety_fear_and_chemotherapy.htm [Posted on 2006-05-22]


Lower Your Risk

Lower Your Risk A tremendous amount of promising research is under way to determine the cause of breast cancer and to establish effective ways to prevent it. Still, doctors can't always explain why one woman develops breast cancer and another doesn't. Expert Quote “I have many people with breast cancer in my fitness classes who are back to 100 percent plus more, because their appreciation for life is heightened, and their lifestyle approach is enhanced and exemplary. These people are living life better than other friends who haven't been challenged by breast cancer.” —Ronda Gates, hospital pharmacist and nutrition counselor Everyone seems to know someone with breast cancer, and we wonder whether we, too, will be affected during our lifetime. All of us want to do everything we can to reduce the chances of ever getting the disease. Right now, though, we just don't know enough about what causes breast cancer and we haven't yet figured out how to keep it from happening—so we can't say that we can “prevent” it. However, researchers are working to learn how our “external” and “internal” environments may work separately and together to affect our health and possibly the risk of developing breast cancer. “Internal environment” means the things inside our bodies that influence our health, such as genetics (the genes you got from your mother and father), hormones, illnesses, and feelings and thoughts. “External environment” refers to the things outside of our bodies that influence our health, such as air, water, food, danger, music, noise, people, and stress. Also, the external environment enters our internal environment every day—think of the food you eat, water you drink, air you breathe (including whether you smoke or not), and medicines you take. More subtlely, there's the way you “breathe in” or absorb your environment, such as your home or workplace, and the way you take in energy from the people you spend time with. Some of these factors, such as your genetic makeup and the medicines that you take, have a very direct effect on your breast health. The impact of other, indirect factors, such as air quality, exercise, meditation, and spending time with friends, is less well understood. Anything that INCREASES your chance of developing breast cancer is called a risk factor. Anything that REDUCES your risk of developing breast cancer is called a protective factor. You can control some risk factors. For example, if you are overweight, you can seek to lose excess pounds, which may reduce your risk of breast cancer. You can also make informed choices about the medicines you take. But other factors are beyond your control. For instance, you can't change your gender. Women are much more likely than men to have breast cancer. This is mostly because women have more estrogen and progesterone in their bodies. These hormones stimulate breast cell growth—both normal and abnormal. Also, you can't stop growing older. Aging is the biggest risk factor for breast cancer (besides being a woman). Risk reduction means making choices to avoid or minimize any possible risk factors that you can. It also means increasing the protective factors in your life so your chances of developing breast cancer are lower. Although you can control many risk factors, remember that doing so does not guarantee zero risk. It is also important to keep in mind that many women who have a particular risk factor for breast cancer never develop it. Knowledge is power. Instead of living under the shadow of myths and misunderstandings, KNOW your own realistic level of risk. Then you can talk to your doctor about ways to lessen controllable risk factors and boost your protective factors. In the following pages of the Lower Your Risk section, you can learn about: Understanding Breast Cancer Risk What do the statistics about breast cancer risk mean? What are relative and absolute risk? The facts and figures can help you understand risk. Genetics and Breast Cancer Risk Read Conference Transcripts and summaries of research on BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene abnormalities, including how they affect breast cancer risk, as well as reports on the treatment options of removing ovaries and breasts. Environmental Factors and Breast Cancer Risk Medical experts examine the research on environmental pollution, lifestyle choices, and other non-genetic factors that affect breast cancer risk. See what they say. Lowering Risk for Everyone Lifestyle and environmental factors can either increase or reduce your risk for breast cancer. Learn what you should know and what action you can take. Lowering Risk for People at High Risk If you have a family history of breast cancer or have the abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, you may have a higher risk of developing breast cancer and may want to consider more advanced protection methods. Also, if you have an abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, your risk of developing ovarian cancer is increased. Protect yourself with information. Lowering Risk for People with a Personal History If you already have been diagnosed with breast cancer, your risk of developing it again is higher than if you had never had the disease. Treatment options are available to help you reduce that risk. Your risk of developing ovarian cancer also may be higher. Understand your options. This information was taken from http://www.breastcancer.org/prevention.html. [Posted on 2006-09-26]



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