The Chemotherapy Blues: How Depression Impacts Treatment Efficacy
Chemotherapy is a commonly used treatment for cancer patients. It involves the use of strong drugs to kill cancer cells in the body. While it is an effective treatment, chemotherapy can have several side effects that can impact a patient’s physical and mental health. One of the most common side effects is depression. Depression can […]
Cancer Clinical Trials See Shortage of Participants
Despite widespread public awareness campaigns on behalf of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), it seems the majority of patients don’t know about the cancer clinical trials available to them. Clinical trials are still the only means to test new cancer treatment and medication, but the AACR says fewer than five percent of cancer patients volunteer. […]
Women: Take the “Pearl Pledge” For Cervical Cancer Awareness
Staying healthy can be easier when done with a friend. That’s the idea behind the new “Take the Pearl Pledge” program to fight cervical cancer. “Cervical cancer is the second leading cancer in women worldwide. This year in the United States, more than 11,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer, and more than 4,000 […]
6 Takeaways For Cancer Programs From Medicare’s 2023 Proposed Rules
In July 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its proposed rules for the Medicare program for 2023. These rules have important implications for cancer programs across the United States, and provide insights into the direction of cancer care reimbursement and delivery in the coming years. Here are six key takeaways for […]
How The Pandemic Impacted Cancer Service Volumes, In 8 Graphs
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on healthcare systems worldwide, with many resources being diverted to manage the outbreak. One area that has been affected is cancer services, with delays and cancellations of cancer surgeries, diagnostic tests, and screening programs. In this article, we will explore how the pandemic impacted cancer service volumes […]
New Lung Cancer Research Offers Patients Hope
New research in the treatment of small cell lung cancer offers hope to patients. Until recently, small cell lung cancer (SCLC) was considered a forgotten cancer, but now there is a new type of chemotherapy treatment and promising research into targeted therapies that may shrink the tumors of a subset of small cell lung cancer […]
Cancer Center Finds Smokeless Tobacco May Help You Quit
A cancer center is taking a unique approach to getting cigarette smokers to quit by suggesting they use smokeless tobacco as an alternative. The James Graham Brown Cancer Center and the University of Louisville have aimed their “Switch and Quit” campaign –headed by Brad Rodu, professor of medicine at the University of Louisville — at […]
Cancer Program Development Grids
Cancer program development grids are tools used to assess and improve the quality of cancer care services provided by healthcare organizations. These grids provide a framework for the evaluation of the cancer program’s performance across various domains, including patient outcomes, resource utilization, clinical quality, patient experience, and financial viability. Cancer program development grids are particularly […]
The National Children’s Cancer Society Observes 25 Years
The battle against childhood cancer is ongoing. Over the past 20 years, incidence of children diagnosed with cancer has risen from 11.5 cases per 100,000 children in 1975 to 14.8 per 100,000 children in 2004 — during this same time, however, death rates declined dramatically, according to the National Cancer Institute. Many experts agree that […]
How to Manage Cancer-Related Pain
Pain is a frequent, yet often overlooked, consequence of cancer. An estimated 70 percent of those with cancer experience significant pain during their illness, yet fewer than half receive adequate treatment for their pain.1 If pain is not managed properly, it can worsen the physical, emotional and psychological toll of cancer. Pain can result from […]