As reported on Dana Farber's Insight Blog, glioblastomas are a fast-moving cancer and the most common primary cancer of the brain. However, we are learning more and more about this type of cancer and are finding ways new ways to fight it. Check out these 5 things you need to know about glioblastomas. 1.…
It is difficult to understand what a cancer patient is going through. Knowing the right things to say to a patient about their illness can be tricky, especially given that many people haven’t had the experience of having cancer themselves.“When someone you love is dealing with something like cancer, there’s a feeling of helplessness,” says Katelyn MacDougall, LICSW, who is a social worker at Dana-Farber’s Young Adult Program. “We try to say things we think will make it feel better, but nothing we say is going to make cancer better; patients just want to know that people are supporting them.”
According to Time, the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) has some bad news for bacon lovers and booze enthusiasts; consuming less fatty food and alcohol can, in fact, decrease the risk of developing cancer. WCRF recommends wholly or significantly cutting back on processed meats. And yes, this includes bacon, salami, hot dogs and some sausages.…
One of the most common complaints among cancer patients and survivors is the chronic fatigue that the experience after treatment, known as Cancer Fatigue. Typically, this type of weariness occurs either during the chemo treatment or within the first year afterward. It is particularly difficult to handle because it can last for long periods of time, and isn’t even alleviated after sleep or rest. The good news is that a considerable body of research is finding that, cancer patients who exercise regularly report feeling less tired overall.
One of the most significant concerns among patients during chemotherapy is nausea and vomiting that is associated with it. However, thanks to progressive developments in anti-nausea medications and a better understanding of how to use them, many patients will not have to experience these distressing symptoms, perhaps only mild discomfort. But “despite these gains, there are still patients who break through our existing therapies,” says Bridget Fowler Scullion, PharmD, a pharmacist in Dana Farber’s Adult Palliative Care Program. Fowler is the primary author of Dana Farber’s guidelines for treating chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV).
Nicotine, a chemical component is found in tobacco leaves and the “smoking” liquid in e-cigarettes and vapes. It is an addictive substance, producing pleasurable, relaxed feelings when it is inhaled as a smoke, vapor or when ingested in the form of chewing tobacco. However, nicotine does NOT cause cancer. Nicotine is one of thousands of chemicals found in tobacco. Dozens of these chemicals, in particular, tar, are known carcinogens.