by Rick Davis | Dec 12, 2019 | Recent News, Men's Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Women's Breast Cancer
A report from MedPage Today last week suggests there is no role for denosumab (Xgeva or Prolia) in early stage, high risk breast cancer that is bone mets free. Read the article here.
There are many similarities between breast and prostate cancer in their respective disease patterns. Our PCa groups often discuss the timing of bone strengthener use. A quick review of the literature reveals one meta-study that supports the use of denosumab.; however it does not analyse the results by disease stage of those studied.
This is of personal interest to the Author’s experience. I was placed on bone support treatment at the outset of 28 months hormone deprivation therapy because my bone density was borderline osteoporitic, albeit no observed bone mets – and it helped me over the course of my treatment. Since baseline bone density at start of treatment is a relevant factor, why was that not factored into the equation?
by Rick Davis | Dec 12, 2019 | Cancer Resources, Advocacy, Health Resources, Men's Breast Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, Prostate Cancer, Recent News, Women's Breast Cancer
Our good AnCan friend, medical journalist Howard Wolinsky, has published an article in the magazine, Chicago Medicine investigating the controversial contrast agent gadolinium used in MRI scanning. Read it here.
This topic is often discussed in AnCan’s Active Surveillance Prostate Cancer Group. Congrats, Howard – c’mon back to our virtual groups to keep us informed!
by Len Sierra | Dec 11, 2019 | Prostate Cancer
In a preclinical study in mice, Univ. Penn researcher, Andrea Facciabene (literally “do well” in Italian) demonstrated that by treating mice with metastatic cancer with vancomycin, a common antibiotic, and then followed by hypofractionated RT (think SBRT), not only were the local cancer cells killed but distant metastatic sites (not specifically targeted) were also killed. This is known as the “abscopal effect” and up till now, had never actually been proven to be a real phenomenon. Vancomycin acts only on the gut microbiota, not systemically, It is this action on gut bacteria that is believed to stimulate the immune system via activation of dendritic cells, aka, antigen presenting cells. This is the mechanism used by Provenge to treat prostate cancer patients.”Based on our findings,” the study authors conclude, “we propose the use of gut modulation in a patient-specific manner in order to translate local antitumor effects of [radiation therapy] into a systemic response that can target metastatic disease.” The scientists are now working on translating their findings into a phase I clinical trial in humans. Let’s hope that Facciabene continues to “do well” with this research.To read the full article, click here: https://www.jci.org/articles/view/124332
by Rick Davis | Dec 3, 2019 | hospice and palliative, Advocacy, Brain Tumors, Cancer Caregivers, Cancer Resources, Complementary Medicine, Health Resources, Men 'Speaking Freely', Men's Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Recent News, Webinars, Women's Breast Cancer
One of AnCan’s favorite doctors, who we are privileged to name on our Advisory Board, is palliative care specialist, BJ Miller. I have had the wonderful fortune to work with BJ for 10 years or so, and know first hand how he has provided lifesaving support to a number of our participants treated at UCSF, both physically and mentally!
BJ is an extraordinary physician with an equally extraordinary story. He is a triple amputee – prior to med school, and if you listen to his interview today with Terry Gross on NPR’s Fresh Air you will learn how that career decision came about.
What Terry failed to mention is that BJ’s Ted Talk has very nearly 10 million views since first being posted in 2015 – now that’s remarkable in itself! He has just published a new book with Shoshana Berger, A Beginner’s Guide To The End that I am currently reading.and recommend.
by Rick Davis | Nov 25, 2019 | Advocacy, Brain Tumors, Cancer Caregivers, Cancer Resources, Health Resources, Men 'Speaking Freely', Men's Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Recent News, Women's Breast Cancer
AnCan’s good buddy, John Novack – Director of Communications and PR at Inspire. often brings good articles and media to our attention. This past week-end John sent me a very interesting ‘Shot’ from NPR Health News about A Cancer Care Approach Tailored To The Elderly May that Have Better Results
The example used is an elderly man with prostate cancer, but frankly this approach is applicable to any type of cancer. And this approach makes a mockery of one of my favorite straw men, the USPSTF, who does not recommend PSA testing for men over 70. HELLO USPSTF ….. 70 is the new 50!
If you are over 65, consider raising geriatric assessments with your medical oncologist.
