Tara Shuman didn’t necessarily set out to be a blogger, let alone a book author. Yet in the throes of a cancer diagnosis she turned to writing as an outlet. Abby Morgan also turned to blogging. A painter since an early age, and an art teacher, writing carried less pressure than painting. “I don’t want … Read more
As with many cancers, screening is a crucial step in preventing colorectal cancer. In fact, colorectal cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer if it is found early. “There are many different ways we can prevent colorectal cancer, ranging from medical tests to dietary and lifestyle behaviors, to taking certain medications,” says … Read more
When Judy Rosenbaum was diagnosed with breast cancer, the thought of serious treatment and surgery, like a mastectomy, was frightening. Working with her doctors and care team, Judy found a “less is more” treatment approach and elected to have a lumpectomy rather than a mastectomy. “I was terrified of having surgery,” Rosenbaum says. “The only … Read more
Parents face many unique challenges when diagnosed with cancer. Perhaps one of the biggest hurdles is learning how to communicate with children about this difficult and emotional subject. In this Cancer Conversations podcast episode, Kelly Drummond, LICSW, a Dana-Farber social worker joins Dana-Farber social worker Allison Dibiaso, LICSW, and Sarah Silvia, a single mom who … Read more
Perhaps more than any other childhood cancer, pediatric brain tumor treatment is incredibly complex and takes a team effort to care for a patient. Doctors and researchers are working to not only improve medicines and treatment methods, they are also striving to improve quality of life and long-term side effects for young patients. “The goal … Read more
For otherwise healthy individuals, a CT scan or an MRI is an uncommon event. But for cancer survivors like Jeremy Pivor, it’s a routine part of life. So too is the anxiety that often accompanies each test – often referred to as “scanxiety.” Diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 12, Pivor navigated his way … Read more
Some people may think of breast cancer as a disease that only affects older women. But many young women can and do get breast cancer – just like Maggie Loucks, NP-C, who was diagnosed one week after her 28th birthday. “Hearing the words ‘the lump is malignant’ isn’t really anything you can prepare yourself to … Read more
Although less common than other types of skin cancer, melanoma is a dangerous disease that can spread rapidly if it is not caught early. In addition to regular self exams, it is crucial to protect yourself from the damaging effects of the sun — regardless of your age, skin color, or the time of year. … Read more
Although lung cancer is only the second most common cancer in the United States, it is by far the deadliest cancer in both men and women. But thanks to advancements in precision medicine, treatments for lung cancer are improving, and many patients are benefiting from these new, targeted therapies. “When we find we have drugs … Read more
No one wants to give their kids bad news, and it’s hard to imagine worse than telling your kids you have cancer. For lymphoma survivors Gina Johnson and Connie Grayson, the challenge was greater, because they not only had their own kids to tell, but as teachers, they also had a school full of children … Read more
Shortly after she was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer, Duncan Finigan met with her oncologist, Eric Winer, MD, at the Susan F. Smith Center for Women’s Cancers at Dana-Farber. “I can’t deal with this ‘stage’ thing,” Finigan told him right away. In response, Winer said Finigan didn’t have to refer to her disease as … Read more
Good nutrition plays a key role in cancer prevention and survivorship. With the right pantry items, patients can help manage side effects of treatment and potentially lower risk of recurrence. In this Cancer Conversations podcast episode, Dana-Farber nutritionist Stacy Kennedy, MPH, RD, CSO, discusses the best diet for cancer patients, as well as tips for … Read more
While the end of active cancer treatment may bring some relief, it can also bring many questions and anxieties for young patients and their families. In this Cancer Conversations podcast episode, Lisa Diller, MD, chief medical officer of the Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, discusses topics around fertility, growth, late effects of treatment, … Read more
When Melissa Angiolillo was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2015, she had all the support of her husband, family and friends. But what she really needed was someone who had gone through what she was about to experience, someone who knew what it was like to face a stage III breast cancer diagnosis. Enter … Read more
Although cervical cancer incidence and death rates have decreased thanks to regular screenings, thousands of women in the U.S. are still affected by the disease every year. In this Cancer Conversations podcast episode, Ursula Matulonis, MD, medical director of the Gynecologic Oncology Program in the Susan F. Smith Center for Women’s Cancers at Dana-Farber, joins … Read more
Although there is no cure for metastatic breast cancer, new developments in treatment and research are helping patients live longer and experience a better quality of life. In this Cancer Conversations podcast episode, Eric Winer, MD, director of Breast Oncology Program in the Susan F. Smith Center for Women’s Cancers at Dana-Farber, discusses the latest … Read more
With new research in immunotherapy and targeted therapy, treatment options for blood cancer patients are rapidly expanding. Combination therapies have also caused much excitement among researchers and physicians, and ongoing clinical trials are continuing to look at new strategies that use multiple drugs for fighting these diseases. In this Cancer Conversations podcast episode, Irene Ghobrial, … Read more
Although ovarian cancer can sometimes be difficult to treat, researchers and physicians are finding new ways to approach the disease, making way for promising alternatives to the traditional chemotherapy treatments. In this Cancer Conversations podcast episode, Ursula Matulonis, MD, Panos Konstantinopoulos, MD, PhD, and Susana Campos, MD, MPH, from the Gynecologic Oncology Program at the Susan … Read more
Although only a small percentage of breast cancers are considered hereditary, genetic testing and cancer risk — specifically the BRCA1/2 genes — have made many headlines in recent years. But what exactly does it mean to have a BRCA mutation, and what do women need to know? In this Cancer Conversations podcast episode, Huma Rana, … Read more