8 Lessons from Cancer Survivors
Over the past few weeks, we have had the pleasure of having cancer survivors share their stories as our guest bloggers. Today, we would like to honor all cancer survivors by sharing with you some of the important lessons we have learned from their inspiring stories of survivorship. We hope you enjoy reading their incredible […]
Dreaming BIG: Cure for Stomach Cancer
Stomach Cancer Stomach (gastric) cancer is a silent killer with very non-specific symptoms or no symptoms at all. There is no screening for stomach cancer available in the United States, and therefore, 80% of all stomach cancer patients are diagnosed at stage IV, which is the worst stage possible, and only 4% of stage IV […]
Why we need Oncology-Credentialed Dietitians
For almost 20 years, my goal has always been to provide generalized science-based information about nutrition for cancer patients on my website, CancerRD.com, in order to counter all the misinformation that exists on the Internet. A recent article published in the Journal Nutrition and Cancer (“Dietary Recommendations During and After Treatment: Consistently Inconsistent”) [i] and subsequently […]
How I Achieved My 15-Year Brain Tumor Survivorship
In 1998 at age 24 years old, I worked in the U.S. Congress with intentions for law school. But a shock took me in other directions with a brain tumor diagnosis turning my world upside down. My course was clear for awake brain surgery. My Experience and What I Did When recovering from my […]
All About Asparagus
Asparagus belongs to the lily family (Liliaceae, scientific name: Asparagus officinalis) and has been considered a delicacy since ancient times. In fact, the Roman emperor Augustus purportedly created the “Asparagus Fleet” for carrying these fine green spears. How’s that for the love of a food! Today, asparagus is still heralded in several countries for its […]
Let Your Feelings Out
When dealing with a cancer treatment, it is important to actively work on healing both your mind and your body. Eating healthyand exercising regularly is imperative, but so is finding ways to decrease mental stress. Cancer fighters and survivors are often faced with a lot of emotions – fear about treatment or recurrence, financial troubles, fertility complications, […]
Coping with IBS and Cancer
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can cause cramping, bloating, and a change in bowel habits. Dealing with IBS can be difficult to deal with when feeling well but during cancer treatment it can be even more of a challenge to manage. Diet is an essential part of managing IBS but sometimes finding what works can be […]
Living Well With Lung Cancer
When I became a patient advocate for people diagnosed with lung cancer 10 years ago, it would be very rare to hear of someone living well with lung cancer. My dad was diagnosed in 2002 and there were many misconceptions, very few treatment options and no support or empathy for people affected by the disease […]
Head and Neck Radiation Treatment
Understanding new medical jargon, learning about seemingly foreign treatment modalities, and handling myriad appointments with different specialists can be overwhelming. Here’s a basic guide to understanding radiation therapy as it applies to the head and neck cancers as well as what to expect when receiving head and neck radiation. Radiation Jargon Fractionation – Radiation delivery is usually […]
The Gift Cancer Gave Me
At one point toward the end of my treatment for Stage 2A breast cancer, someone told me, “One day you are going to look back at all this and realize your were given a gift.” “Some gift, I thought to myself: cancer, chemo brain, hair loss, exhaustion, fear. Really!” What my friend meant but did […]