Have you checked out our page “All the Faces of AnCan” lately? We are always growing, and you might see some new faces! While we’ve discussed Dr. Herbert Geller (researcher and AnCan Advisory Board Member) previously on the blog, we have a special treat today. Dr. Geller was part of an esteemed panel explaining the science behind mRNA Covid-19 vaccines with CureTalks.
I find this description of what mRNA means and brief explanation from CureTalks to be extremely helpful.
Messenger RNA vaccines, also called mRNA vaccines, are some of the first COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in the United States. mRNA vaccines are a new type of vaccine to protect against infectious diseases. They teach the cells of our body to make a protein that triggers an immune response. This immune response leads to the production of antibodies which protects us from getting infected if the real virus enters our body.
Be sure to check out this informative presentation, here!
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At AnCan, we LOVE friends! And helping you get resources you need to empower you to “Be Your Own Best Advocate!” Here are some great, informative, and FREE resources from our partner CancerCare. Be sure and check them out!
If Medicine Doesn’t Come to you, Go to the Medicine!
You know what they say about Mohammed and the Mountain …… if the mountain will not go to Mohammed, Mohammed must go to the mountain! Well it’s often like that today with cutting edge medicine – and even not so cutting edge if you live in out of the way places like Maui, HI where our Board President, Peter Kafka, resides. It’s all part of Being Your Own Best Advocate…… (rd) PS Peter has asked me to clarify, he wrote what follows – not me. But I guess most of you can figure that out!
Back in 2014 when I was first diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, my younger son who was 38 years old at the time was in the urologist’s office with me getting the news. As I was seated on the exam table, he was standing in the corner leafing through the booklets and pamphlets about prostate cancer while we waited for the doctor to deliver the bad news. My son, holding up a booklet exclaimed to me; “Dad, this literature is older than me!” Right away we both knew we were in the WRONG place.
Unfortunately, so many men and women reside or walk into the “wrong” place when it comes to getting access to the most up to date technology in terms of treatment or diagnostic tools. Little did I know back then. I lived at that time under the illusion that the “Doctor” knew everything and would of course be up to date with the latest and greatest. Not so, as I quickly learned.
One of the great values that I have found in participating regularly in our AnCan prostate cancer support groups is the experiential reporting on all the new cutting-edge treatments and diagnostic tools that are emerging and available. Recently one of our number took advantage of the new technology of Micro Ultrasound to guide a biopsy. Apparently, this is found to be even better than the 3T multi-parametric MRI in determining just where to poke the needle and take a tissue sample, leading to a far more accurate diagnosis. It can detect small, but significant lesions within the prostate that might otherwise be missed.
The rub however, like any new advancement is that not every facility or doctor will be in the “know” or have access to such tools or treatments. Don’t I know this well, living here on the Island of Maui in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The lesson for all of us is that we should carry a business card stating; “Have Suspicion Will Travel”. Please don’t wait for technology to come to your doorstep or for enlightenment to come to your doctor. Your life is way too important to me.
We had our first The TALK, a series of webinars addressing how families speak to each other about their health conditions, of 2021! On Wednesday March 31st, we were honored to have many “pairs” of different types talk about inherited mutations.
With opening commentary and resources from Melissa Rosen(Sharsheret) and Lisa Schlager (FORCE), Rick then introduced moderator extraordinaire, Lindsey Byrne!
We met Ilana Feuchter, with mom, Rozzie Brilliant (BRCA), Peter Kafka, with son Joel Kafka (Lynch mutation, MSH6, and somatic BRCA), sisters Karin Roseman and Stefanie Tsantilis (BRCA), and Dr. Pamela Munster, and with son, Max Daud (BRCA). They shared open and honestly about their own “talks”, and shared many relatable experiences.
Dr. B.J. Miller’s Prognosis Declaration Can Revolutionize the Quality of Your Treatment Path
One of the most compassionate, influential and remarkable docs I have had the great fortune to encounter since I got into this biz, is Dr. BJ Miller. We are honored to have BJ on our Advisory Board, and while we rarely speak live, I consider him a friend.
More significantly, a couple of men lost to this disease who I have known well, welcomed BJ to their medical teams …. and he made a huge difference to them. In a recent webiinar “Making Medical Decisions”, BJ shared a revolutionary document with us ….BJ’s Prognosis+Declaration
All too often medical teams put their foot in their mouth …. and sometimes unwittingly yours, when they provide an unrequested prognosis for your situation. Some may want to know how serious their disease is .. or how long they have to live; others frequenbtly do not. The Prognosis Declaration offers four (4) options from knowing everything to knowing nothing, or maybe having your caregiver know but not you. You determine what you want to hear, and you give the Prognosis Declaration to your medical team upfront ….. brilliant! The form was developed by one of BJ’s patients who lost his wife to cancer.
The whole webinar, Managing Your Medical Decisons, can be heard here – it’s truly worth a listen.
If you’ve ever come to one of our Virtual Support Groups, you’ve probably heard “be your own best advocate“! It is a favorite mantra of Rick’s, and I’m happy to report it’s rubbed off on me as well. That driving philosophy inspires us to provide information via our groups, webinars, and this blog.
We came across a great blog post by our friends at CancerConnect that does just that. C.H. Weaver M.D wrote a phenomenal piece titled “An Oncologist Explains “Routine” Blood Tests Performed in Cancer Patients“. It has everything from CBC (Complete Blood Count) to more specialized tests like PT (Prothrombin time) and Ferritin. I love how simple Dr. Weaver explained things, and provided images too. As a visual learner, it was great to see examples.
YOU are a very important part of your care team, and I’m certain this will help empower you even further when you get your lab results back.
May all your lab draws be quick, painless, and easily understood!
