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Cancer

May is Skin Cancer Detection & Prevention month

Many of us enjoy getting a little sun. The warmth and light is relaxing and can boost our spirits as well as our Vitamin D level. However, the benefits come with risks if you’re not cautious. Each year, more than 3.5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States. Practice safe sun exposure by following these rules:

Seek the shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. — this is when the sun’s rays are strongest. Find a tree or carry an umbrella.
Cover up — wear clothing, a sun hat and UV-blocking sunglasses for extra protection.
Wear sunscreen — preferably with an SPF of 30 or higher. Apply one ounce to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside and reapply often. Look for “broad spectrum” or “multi-spectrum” on the label. This indicates the sunscreen guards against UVA and UVB rays, which can damage your skin in different ways.
Keep infants out of direct sunlight — babies are especially susceptible to the sun’s damaging effects. Make sure they are covered up with clothing, hats/bonnets and umbrellas.
Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths — even occasional sunbed use nearly triples your chances of developing melanoma. Young people, including teenagers, are especially sensitive to this UVR emitted from tanning booths.
Examine your skin once every month — in a full-length mirror, check your skin from head-to-toe. Look for any skin changes. See your health care provider every year for a professional skin cancer exam — also ask your children’s provider to examine their skin at annual check-ups.

Enhancement Program

The Enhancement Program provides cancer patients with a one-on-one consultation with a licensed cosmetologist. In the consultation, a patient can have an individualized fitting of a wig, sleeping hat, Cathy Cap, turban and an outdoor hat. Each patient can choose from over 500 wigs which can be cut and styled. The cosmetologist teaches how to care for and maintain the wig. This program is offered at no cost to patients.

If you are receiving care at Coborn Cancer Center and interested in an Enhancement Program consultation, please schedule an appointment, 320-229-4900.

See ongoing support groups and classes.

See the May events calendar.

May is Skin Cancer Detection & Prevention month

Many of us enjoy getting a little sun. The warmth and light is relaxing and can boost our spirits as well as our Vitamin D level. However, the benefits come with risks if you’re not cautious. Each year, more than 3.5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States. Practice safe sun exposure by following these rules:

Seek the shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. — this is when the sun’s rays are strongest. Find a tree or carry an umbrella.
Cover up — wear clothing, a sun hat and UV-blocking sunglasses for extra protection.
Wear sunscreen — preferably with an SPF of 30 or higher. Apply one ounce to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside and reapply often. Look for “broad spectrum” or “multi-spectrum” on the label. This indicates the sunscreen guards against UVA and UVB rays, which can damage your skin in different ways.
Keep infants out of direct sunlight — babies are especially susceptible to the sun’s damaging effects. Make sure they are covered up with clothing, hats/bonnets and umbrellas.
Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths — even occasional sunbed use nearly triples your chances of developing melanoma. Young people, including teenagers, are especially sensitive to this UVR emitted from tanning booths.
Examine your skin once every month — in a full-length mirror, check your skin from head-to-toe. Look for any skin changes. See your health care provider every year for a professional skin cancer exam — also ask your children’s provider to examine their skin at annual check-ups.

Enhancement Program

The Enhancement Program provides cancer patients with a one-on-one consultation with a licensed cosmetologist. In the consultation, a patient can have an individualized fitting of a wig, sleeping hat, Cathy Cap, turban and an outdoor hat. Each patient can choose from over 500 wigs which can be cut and styled. The cosmetologist teaches how to care for and maintain the wig. This program is offered at no cost to patients.

If you are receiving care at Coborn Cancer Center and interested in an Enhancement Program consultation, please schedule an appointment, 320-229-4900.

See ongoing support groups and classes.

See the May events calendar.

May 2019

New 'Cancer Vaccine' Attacks Tumors From Within

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Cancer

New 'Cancer Vaccine' Attacks Tumors From Within

TUESDAY, April 9, 2019 -- A new method of brewing a cancer vaccine inside a patient's tumor could harness the power of the immune system to destroy the disease, researchers report.

Immune stimulants are injected directly into a tumor, which teaches the immune system to recognize and destroy all similar cancer cells throughout the body, said senior researcher Dr. Joshua Brody. He is director of the Lymphoma Immunotherapy Program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.

Read more

May 2019

Does Cancer Battle Bring Personal Growth? Yes and No, Survivors Say

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Cancer

Does Cancer Battle Bring Personal Growth? Yes and No, Survivors Say

FRIDAY, April 5, 2019 -- Breast cancer survivor Jessica Sidener is adamant that her illness brought real benefits to her life.

"I am incredibly grateful for all of the hardships I've gone through in my young life, including my cancer journey," said Sidener, 39, of Parker, Colo. "It makes you appreciate that life is short."

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May 2019

Treatment Advances Making Pancreatic Cancer a Less Deadly Disease

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Cancer

Treatment Advances Making Pancreatic Cancer a Less Deadly Disease

TUESDAY, April 2, 2019 -- Advances in chemotherapy and cancer monitoring can dramatically extend the lives of almost one-third of pancreatic cancer patients with tumors previously considered inoperable, researchers report.

It's good news for patients with a particularly deadly form of cancer that's been highlighted by the recent diagnosis of "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

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Apr 2019

Could Invasive Lung Cancer Biopsies Be Replaced by Blood Tests?

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Cancer

Could Invasive Lung Cancer Biopsies Be Replaced by Blood Tests?

THURSDAY, Feb. 28, 2019 -- A blood test may one day replace invasive tissue biopsies as a pain-free way to guide treatment in lung cancer patients, new research suggests.

The so-called "liquid biopsy" can quickly identify tumor gene mutations that match targeted drug therapies -- potentially boosting patient survival.

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Apr 2019

Colon Cancer Usually Diagnosed Late in Under-50 Adults

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Cancer

Colon Cancer Usually Diagnosed Late in Under-50 Adults

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 27, 2019 -- Young adults are increasingly developing colon cancer -- and it's often diagnosed at a late stage, after they've seen several doctors and been misdiagnosed, a new survey shows.

Researchers questioned nearly 1,200 colon cancer patients diagnosed before age 50. Most cases were correctly identified only after the cancer was more advanced. In fact, about two-thirds waited up to a year to see a doctor after developing symptoms, and then went on to see multiple doctors before receiving the right diagnosis.

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Apr 2019

High-Fiber Diet May Help Gut 'Microbiome' Battle Melanoma

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Cancer

High-Fiber Diet May Help Gut 'Microbiome' Battle Melanoma

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 27, 2019 -- A healthy diet may trigger a better response to a certain kind of melanoma treatment.

How?

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