PET/CT is an acronym that stands for “positron emission tomography/computed tomography.” It is a combination of PET and CT (CAT scan) which combines the best of both worlds in terms of functional metabolic imaging at the cellular level, and anatomic imaging for structural detail. It also incorporates the PET scan’s ability to use special probes… Read more »
Over the last several decades, a search for a cure for cancer has largely been focused on developing new chemotherapy drugs, radiation therapy and surgical interventions. Nonetheless, the incidence and mortality of cancer, in general, are increasing. The number of cancer-related deaths is expected to double in the next 50 years in spite of current… Read more »
Dr. Thomas Seyfried teaches neurogenetics and neurochemistry at Yale University. He is also a pioneering researcher in promoting how to treat cancer nutritionally. His book, Cancer as a Metabolic Disease: On the Origin, Management and Prevention of Cancer, contains over 400 pages and 1,740 medical references that make a compelling argument for the following: Cancer… Read more »
“Cancer does not grow too much; it dies too little,” states Robert Nagourney, MD. You can think about cancer cells as normal cells becoming immortal. Apoptosis is the process in which normal functioning cells are programmed to die. In cancer cells, this mechanism is over-ridden so the cell malfunctions and continues to grow, thus… Read more »
“What do I do to keep cancer from coming back?” “What do I eat/not eat?” “How do I live a cancer free lifestyle?” These are questions I hear from my patients every day. The answer is simple. The foods you should avoid in preventing cancer are the same ones you should avoid with post-cancer care.… Read more »
I’ve been waiting for this news – as have most of the doctors, surgeons and health care practitioners who have seen lung cancer kill the many who could have been saved with early screenings. It’s about time! After decades of debate, guidelines issued recently by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force call for annual CT… Read more »
Anal cancer is a rare disease, with only 7,060 new cases, and 880 deaths estimated for 2013. When broken down by gender, the incidence is only 1.9 per 100,000 women per year, and 1.5 per 100,000 men per year. However, in HIV positive gay/bisexual men, the incidence is increased 100-fold, with estimates of up to… Read more »
On average, smokers live 14 years less than non-smokers and one in six will be diagnosed with lung cancer. Approximately 70% of smokers say they want to quit, but success rates vary, depending on whether they try quitting on their own or undergo treatment. The long-term success rate of those attempting on their own results… Read more »
Breast MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is an extremely helpful, non-invasive imaging tool used to evaluate mammographic abnormalities and identify early breast cancer, especially in women at high risk. An MRI does not involve radiation exposure and does not replace screening mammography. Instead it provides a powerful supplementary tool for detecting and staging breast cancer. What… Read more »
More people die of lung cancer each year than breast, colorectal, prostate and ovarian cancers combined. Lung cancer kills, so why be a victim? The current lung cancer screening guidelines are in response to the results of the National Cancer Institute’s sponsored national lung screening trial (NLST). NLST findings published in the New England Journal… Read more »
Happy 2013 to all! As we begin the New Year, many of us have good intentions to follow through on our resolutions which may include losing weight, finishing projects we’ve put off, quitting smoking, and making more time for your family. There is one New Year’s resolution that I hope everyone over the age of… Read more »
Lung Cancer is the leading cause of death in both men and women in the United States and it is still on the rise. In 1964, the Surgeon General’s report concluded that tobacco smoke was a cause of lung cancer. Today, smoking is thought to cause up to 90 percent of lung cancers. Currently, the… Read more »
The eyelids are among the thinnest, most delicate tissues of the body and are an important part of ocular health. They protect the eyes from foreign bodies and trauma, and help to keep them well lubricated. Unfortunately, these delicate structures are often overlooked when we think about sun protection. The eyelids are best protected with… Read more »
“You have cancer.” Those are three words nobody wants to hear. They can change a person’s life in an instant, and make us feel fearful and anxious, alone in this world, and out of control. What most patients need is not only the very best and most advanced medical care, but also solid emotional and… Read more »
Infusion therapy is the intravenous administration of medication. IV medications are generally prescribed by a physician when a patient’s condition or disease state cannot effectively be treated by conventional therapies or oral medications. Many medications are designed to be delivered intravenously as their only means of treating a disease.[sup]1[/sup] So it’s not surprising that IV… Read more »
A large percentage of people with cancer use some form of “complementary medicine,” which I define as a treatment, practice, or product that is used in conjunction with conventional cancer treatment. Most patients who use Complementary Medicine find that it appeals to their values and beliefs about health and life. This article highlights just a… Read more »
“You have cancer.” For some, these words are a sudden reality. For others, a harsh diagnosis to deliver. They have become three of the most feared words in our society today. When faced with this news, a patient may become overwhelmed with the plethora of information and tasks that follow. There are immediate steps to… Read more »
In China, where they practice Western and Eastern therapies for cancer, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) plays an auxiliary but important role. It is employed to minimize the side effects of conventional treatments such as chemotherapy, assist in pain management and strengthen the immune system. It also aids in dealing with the stress and emotional factors… Read more »
Over the past few decades, developments in the field of oncology have allowed physicians to detect cancer earlier, intervene sooner with more effective treatments, and to monitor cancer growth more efficiently. However, even with advancements in modern medicine, far too many individuals still suffer from cancer and live in fear of how this disease may… Read more »
What is Integrative Cancer Care? Integrative cancer care uses a comprehensive approach to health, combining conventional and alternative therapies specific to the patient’s needs. Integrative cancer care is NOT about replacing your medical oncologist; it is about creating a diversified team of doctors and health practitioners to formulate your unique treatment plan. An integrative approach… Read more »
