Eileen Walther, 66, is not your typical pet owner. While most people may seek the company of a furry, four-legged friend Walther cares for an entirely different type of animal: bees. For someone who has had to face two separate cancer diagnoses, Walther says her bees provide a great escape — and have helped her … Read more
Gina Solomon was in her office on March 10, worrying about the growing coronavirus pandemic, when the phone rang with news that quickly and dramatically shifted her concerns. Solomon, 55, learned she had HER2-positive breast cancer, a subtype of the disease that was as unfamiliar to her as COVID-19. In that instant, she went from … Read more
My journey with cancer began in February 2015 at the age of 24. My primary care doctor felt a lump in my left breast and life suddenly shifted from working, sports, and dating to doctor appointments, wig shopping, and hospital visits. It was a whirlwind of emotion and action. I underwent surgery, chemo, and radiation, … Read more
For years, Donna Martin carried a piece of scrap paper with the words “dyskeratosis congenita,” which she believed might explain her son Brad’s sudden, mysterious affliction. A routine blood test had revealed Brad’s bone marrow was failing, unable to keep up with his need for healthy blood cells. His condition, Donna knew, would worsen over … Read more
While it is important to take safety precautions during COVID-19, you should still get cancer treatment if you need it. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has taken many steps to ensure your safety when you come in for care. “We have safe and effective ways to continue to care for all patients,” says Meghan Baker, MD, ScD, … Read more
When Yvonne Frazier was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2019, she had three school-age children, a 2-year-old toddler, and a full-time job. She also had options. Lawrence General Hospital, where Frazier works, is 30 miles and an hour in traffic from the major cancer centers of Boston. It was next door, however, to a … Read more
By Wayne Marasco, MD, PhD, Professor in the Dana-Farber Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School There is great hope surrounding the release of COVID-19 antibody tests, which could determine whether a person has developed immunity to the virus. We would all benefit if the test results could … Read more
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, labs across the world have been in lockdown, while researchers eagerly prepare to return to work when it is safe to do so. Three cancer researchers at Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center share some of the experiences and challenges they’ve faced during COVID-19, as well as … Read more
It is important to protect yourself from the sun’s UV rays to lessen your risk of skin cancer and melanoma. It is also crucial to regularly check your skin for anything out of the ordinary and to alert your doctors to any changes, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. How do I know if I should … Read more
The resilience shown by cancer care providers during the coronavirus crisis is in equal supply among those involved in clinical research. The strict protocols associated with these studies — rules on eligibility, consent, criteria for tracking response, data collection and analysis — might seem to allow little of the flexibility needed in the COVID-19 era. … Read more
Before the use of CT scans (formerly known as CAT scans), back pain was associated with the diagnosis of kidney cancer — but this is no longer the case. Today, general cancer screening often catches kidney cancer before this symptom occurs, according to Bradley McGregor, MD, clinical director of the Lank Center for Genitourinary Oncology … Read more
Eye cancer is caused by uncontrollable cell growth in the eye. While an eye cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, there are treatment options. An oncologist can discuss these options with you and work with you to determine your best care plan. According to the American Cancer Society, eye cancer can form in the three major … Read more
If you’ve been diagnosed with slow-growing lymphoma but don’t have any symptoms of the disease, your doctor is likely to recommend monitoring the disease closely but not treating it until symptoms appear — an approach known as watchful waiting. This advice might seem to run counter to the standard recommendation that cancer be treated at … Read more
By Ben Lepper Most people my age look at COVID-19 as a burden on their everyday lives of seeing friends, hanging out, and going to college. I see it differently. As an active cancer patient being treated for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), I am immunocompromised. This puts me at especially high risk for … Read more
The number of patients having virtual visits (or telehealth visits) with their doctors and other healthcare providers has skyrocketed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Providers at Dana-Farber and other hospitals are committed to delivering exceptional care throughout the pandemic, whether via in-person appointments or virtual appointments if appropriate for you. Here are two things you … Read more
Five years into his treatment for multiple myeloma, Mark Young was attending a Dana-Farber conference to learn about the latest research in the disease when his oncologist — Paul Richardson, MD, clinical program leader and director of clinical research at the Institute’s Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center — came running up with some timely news. … Read more
Making a home-cooked meal is a great way to ensure you’re getting the proper nutrients and nourishment you need. But what might not be as obvious is that cooking (or baking) can also be an effective way to relieve stress. It’s an opportunity to be creative, stimulate the brain, and even connect to the people … Read more
Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers are continuing to treat patients during these the COVID-19 pandemic — and many are doing so while dealing with their own stresses and anxieties. If you are a healthcare provider, you may be wondering how you can help yourself while continuing to be there for your patients. William Pirl, … Read more
The coronavirus pandemic has upended our lives and routines in recent weeks, generating fear, uncertainty, and anxiety. Coping with this disruption — adjusting to staying home, working remotely, and distancing ourselves from others, among other changes — has been difficult for many. It can be especially challenging if someone you love has died during the … Read more
The wolf at the door is a harmless annoyance compared to the wolf in the house. However dangerous the novel coronavirus is as an infectious agent, it can’t do any harm if it’s locked out of a cell. Strategies to bar the coronavirus (COVID-19) from entering cells — thereby preventing infection and averting transmission of … Read more