Articles

Clinical Cancer Trials: At Times an Overlooked Option

Aug 11, 2018

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Clinical trials offer treatment options that are not otherwise available to cancer patients. Investigational cancer drugs and drug combinations may represent the best hope for certain patients, but they can only be given in the context of a clinical study.

Although many patients could personally benefit from cancer trials, many do not enroll. According to a 2010 National Institute of Health workshop on U.S. clinical research, only 3% of adult cancer patients enter trials. In a recent review of over 500 National Cancer Institute trials, almost 40% were unable to enroll a sufficient number of patients. This lack of participation is more than just a problem for medical research. It is a problem for individual patients. For some patients, the new therapy may be their best chance. Lack of awareness and common misconceptions, however, are often a barrier.

One of the most misunderstood aspects of trials is the use of placebos. Cancer patients shy away because they are afraid of receiving a placebo instead of therapy. It cannot be overemphasized; this will not happen in a

Cancer Diagnostic Tools: Understanding the Difference Between a CT, PET and More

Team Xplore

Aug 1, 2018

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Imaging studies allow your oncologist a view inside the body without the need for more invasive measures. Imaging is a vital part of cancer diagnosis and treatment because it allows a physician to determine the presence of cancerous cells and to what degree (if any) the cancer has spread. However, the imaging type recommended can vary based on the kind and location of the cancer you have. Here are some brief explanations of why your doctor may choose a PET scan over an ultrasound or an MRI over a mammogram (or vice-versa).

Mammogram
What It Is: A mammogram is a type of X-ray that detects tumors or calcifications in the breast.

Best for Detecting: Mammograms are used for detecting breast cancer, determining the size of a tumor or determining if a tumor has shrunk following breast cancer treatments. Mammograms can be either screening or diagnostic. Screening mammograms are performed in women as a precautionary measure to identify potentially cancerous cells. Diagnostic mammograms are performed after a doctor has diagnosed a woman

Returning to Work After Cancer Treatment

Team Xplore

Jul 29, 2018

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A cancer diagnosis is proof that your life can change in an instant. This extends not only to your personal relationships, but also to your work relationships and the decision to return to work, should your diagnosis support it. An estimated 4.8 million cancer survivors are of working age, according to Cure magazine. Here are some steps you can take to return to work after cancer treatment as stress-free as possible.

Step 1: Talk to Your Doctor
While you ultimately know how much energy, stress and time your job can take up, your doctor also knows what the road is ahead for you. Sit down with him or her and discuss what work is like for you. If your oncologist has any suggestions or advises against return to work, it's a good idea to wait the appropriate amount of time. When you are cleared to work, check with your boss to find out what legal forms you may need to return to work, such as a letter from your physician detailing that you have been cleared to come back.

Step 2: Think Your Return Through
Coordinating your doctor's appointments, treatments and

The Anti-Cancer Profile Of Co-enzyme Q10

Team Xplore

Jul 8, 2018

1366 views

You might know Coenzyme Q10 as an ingredient in your favorite anti-aging lotions and potions, but did you know it’s also being used as a homeopathic cancer cure? Read on to find out what gives CoQ10 its anti-cancer reputation among naturopaths. CoQ10 (Ubiquinone) is a naturally produced substance similar to Vitamin E that has significant anti-oxidant properties. Of the 10 most common Coenzyme Q’s, CoQ10 is the only Coenzyme Q present in human cellular tissue. Due to the natural effects of aging, CoQ10 levels significantly decrease with maturity. For example, at 40 years of age, we have only 64% of the CoQ10 originally present at age 20. By age 80, this figure drops by half to 36% of the CoQ10 we had at 20 years of age. CoQ10, being a cellular component (Quinone), is a cyclic compound present in all human cells.

Consuming cooked or processed foods destroy CoQ10, including the very substrates employed to manufacture and replace CoQ10 stores. In its active form, pure CoQ10 is bright yellow. Though once it is subjected to light or 115 degrees Fahrenheit, it will unfortunately