10,000 Strong Against Thyroid Cancer

Happy Thyroid -Healthy Heart!

2012-02-01T11:43:00.000-05:00

February is not just all about Valentine’s Day, chocolates and hearts. It’s also a good time to focus on self love and a little awareness of a butterfly-shaped hormone gland known as the thyroid. The thyroid has the difficult task of controlling your metabolism, growth, development, and body temperature. The thyroid gland is located on the throat and wraps around the windpipe. The presence of too much or too little thyroid hormone is determined by a blood test. So how will you know if you have an over or underactive thyroid and why would it happen?

There are many ways thyroid function to be affected, including the body attacking itself or cancers. Graves disease is an autoimmune disease that causes an increase in thyroid hormone. Overactive thyroid causes symptoms like more frequent bowel movements, feeling anxious, increased body temperature and sweating, loss of hair, increased heartbeat, and weight loss even with having increased appetite. It can also affect the menstrual cycle by causing lighter, shorter periods. It also possible to develop a goiter which is an enlarged thyroid gland.

This condition is usually treated with medication to block the stimulation of the thyroid, removal of the thyroid, or radioactive iodine to help shutdown overactive thyroid cells. Many of these procedures end up causing patients to have an underactive thyroid that has to be treated with medication.

Underactive thyroid can also be caused by autoimmune disorders and the symptoms are pretty much the opposite to hyperthyroidism including feeling cold, lethargic, weight gain and constipation. Hypothryoidism, as it’s also called, can be treated with oral medications that are a replacement of thyroid hormone. Common names are Synthroid and levothyroxine.

Based on your lab results doctors will adjust your dosage to try and get you to the appropriate thyroid level. It may take months, even years, for this to happen. If you are still experiencing low thyroid symptoms the doctor will raise the dose, and vice-versa if you are experiencing symptoms of hyperthyroidism. The treatments have not changed much over the years although there are many developments in treating thyroid cancer.

It is important to know that thyroid hormone deficiencies often run in families so make sure you tell your primary care physician if anyone in your family has thyroid issues. If you do develop any of these symptoms you may want to be referred to an endocrinologist. Endocrinologists specialize in hormone disorders such as with the thyroid and diabetes.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms I would not recommend going the herbal or homeopathic route. Going untreated these disorders could have a long term effect on your mental abilities as well as effect other organ systems. I would also strongly discourage using hypothyroid medications as a weight loss tool as it has been in the past. The side effects and especially the effects on the heart are not worth the benefits that weight loss may have.

If you think you are experiencing any of the symptoms of either type of thyroid disorder don’t hesitate to ask your doctor. Treatment may help you feel more like yourself again.

TONIGHT: Free Interactive Workshop & Tweet Chat Safe Self-Care During Cancer

2012-01-26T13:14:00.007-05:00

LITTLE FALLS NJ: Author and Cinco Vidas Founder Britta Aragon will be the guest speaker in this lecture on topics like safe self care during and after cancer, managing difficult life transitions after cancer, how to care for compromised skin and more! Britta Aragon has been featured at Gilda’s Club Cancer Community Support Center, Life and Liberty Cancer Events, and more, she enjoys spreading the word about raising the standard of safe self care. We hope you will join us!

Find out “how chemical smart” you are and how to keep away from products that contain harsh and potentially harmful ingredients. You'll leave with more knowledge so that you can make decisions about your own self care.

WHEN: January 26, 2012 6:00PM to 8:00PM

WHERE: The Fine Grind - A Coffee Bar

101 Newark Pompton Turnpike,

Suite 8, Little Falls NJ

WHAT: Free Workshop Safe Self-Care During Cancer

FREE REGISTRATION http://www.facebook.com/events/238344769561572

About Our Guest Speaker: Britta Aragon, natural beauty expert, author and entrepreneur, discovered her passion for promoting safe self-care through her experience as a caregiver during her father's eight-year battle with cancer. A survivor herself of Hodgkin’s Disease at the age of 16, she sought solutions for the difficult side effects her father suffered on his hair, skin and nails, but was disheartened by the lack of straightforward information or effective products.

She learned that even when she tried products specifically touted for “sensitive skin,” they were often laden with potentially harmful chemicals that actually irritated her father’s fragile skin. For the first time, she became acutely aware of how devastating the side effects from drugs and medical treatments could be.

Inspired and determined to help others, Britta Aragon founded Cinco Vidas in 2008, and dedicated her work to her father's legacy. A lifestyle brand of products and services, Cinco Vidas provides expert resources and safe solutions to those experiencing side effects from chemotherapy, radiation or medication, and those who experience skin conditions like eczema, sensitivity and chronic dryness. With the goal of fostering prevention and encouraging change, Cinco Vidas also works to increase awareness of potential carcinogens in food, personal care products, and the environment.

Britta lectures on Safe Self-Care for Compromised Skin in the New York Metro Area, where she shares all the knowledge she has gathered as a result of her unique personal experience and years working as a makeup artist and skincare expert. Her blog, Cinco Vidas, is a popular resource and community support center for those dealing with medical treatment side effects and difficult skin conditions. She is also the author of WHEN CANCER HITS, a hand-holding guide for the newly diagnosed cancer patient, and the creator of CV Skin Labs, a safe, non-toxic range of products to soothe and repair damaged skin without harmful chemicals.

Her book When Cancer Hits was released in September 2011, and CV Skin Labs launches February 2012. Both will be available through her website at www.cincovidas.com

IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND TONIGHT WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN OUR LIVE TWEETCHAT

USE HASHTAG #safeselfcare and find us on twitter!

What Are Hashtags ("#" Symbols)?Definition: The # symbol, called a hashtag, is used to mark keywords or topics in a Tweet. It was created organically by Twitter users as a way to categorize messages.

Hashtags Help you find interesting Tweets

People use the hashtag symbol # before relevant keywords in their Tweet to categorize those Tweets to show more easily in Twitter Search Clicking on a hashtagged word in any message shows you all other Tweets in that categoryHashtags can occur anywhere in the Tweet Hashtagged words that become very popular are often Trending Topics

Example: add the hashtag before the phrase "thankyousteve". The word is now a link to search results for all Tweets containing "#thankyousteve" in the message.

We hope this note is useful to you and you will join us for our next Thyroid Cancer Awareness Tweet Chat! See You There! http://twitter.com/sjccfthynett

Cancer According to the Dictionary

2012-01-22T11:47:00.002-05:00

When we hear the words, "You have cancer" the world suddenly stops and we can barely hear anything else. Then when it's time to digest the diagnosis we may still not really know what is cancer. Here we discuss a very basic and general definition of cancer.

Definition of Cancer:

NOUN: Any of various malignant neoplasms characterized by the proliferation of, anaplastic cells that tend to invade, surrounding tissue and metastasize to new body sites. 1. The pathological condition characterized, by such growths. 2. A pernicious, spreading evil: A cancer of bigotry spread through the community. Characteristics of Cancer

Abnormality: Cells are the structural units of all living things. Each of us has trillions of cells, as does a growing tree. Cells make it possible for us to carry out all kinds of functions of life: the beating of the heart, breathing, digesting food, thinking, walking, and so on. However, all of these functions can only be carried out by normal healthy cells. Some cells stop functioning or behaving as they should, serving no useful purpose in the body at all, and become cancerous cells.

Invasiveness: Sometimes tumors do not stay harmlessly in one place. They destroy the part of the body in which they originate and then spread to other parts where they start new growth and cause more destruction. ;This characteristic distinguishes cancer from benign growths, which remain in the part of the body in which they start. Although benign tumors may grow quite large and press on neighboring structures, they do not spread to other parts of the body. Frequently, they are completely enclosed in a protective capsule of tissue and they typically do not pose danger to human life like malignant tumors (cancer) do.

A group of diseases: Although cancer is often referred to as a single condition, it actually consists of more than 100 different diseases. These diseases are characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. Cancer can arise in many sites and behave differently depending on its organ of origin. Breast cancer, for example, has different characteristics than lung cancer. It is important to understand that cancer originating in one body organ takes its characteristics with it even if it

spreads to another part of the body.

For example, metastatic breast cancer in the lungs continues to behave like breast cancer when viewed under a microscope, and it continues to look like a cancer that originated in the breast.

Uncontrollability: The most fundamental characteristic of cells is their ability to reproduce themselves. They do this simply by dividing. One cell becomes two, the two become four, and so on. The division of normal and healthy cells occurs in a regulated and systematic fashion. In most parts of the body, the cells continually divide and form new cells to supply the material for growth or to replace worn-out or injured cells. For example, when you cut your finger, certain cells divide rapidly until the tissue is healed and the skin is repaired. They will then go back to their normal rate of division. In contrast, cancer cells divide in a haphazard manner. The result is that they typically pile up into a non-structured mass or tumor.

STUDY: c-KIT receptor expression is strictly associated with the biological behaviour of thyroid nodules

2012-01-20T09:41:00.000-05:00

A large amount of information has been collected on the molecular tumorigenesis of thyroid cancer. A low expression of c-KIT gene has been reported during the transformation of normal thyroid epithelium to papillary carcinoma suggesting a possible role of the gene in the differentiation of thyroid tissue rather than in the proliferation.

The initial presentation of thyroid carcinoma is through a nodule and the best way nowadays to evaluate it is by fine-needle aspiration (FNA). However many thyroid FNAs are not definitively benign or malignant, yielding an indeterminate or suspicious diagnosis which ranges from 10 to 25% of FNAs.

BRAF mutational analysis is commonly used to assess the malignancy of thyroid nodules but unfortunately it still leaves indeterminate diagnoses. The development of molecular initial diagnostic tests for evaluating a thyroid nodule is needed in order to define optimal surgical approach for patients with uncertain diagnosis pre- and intra-operatively.

Methods: In this study we extracted RNA from 82 FNA smears, 46 malignant and 36 benign at the histology, in order to evaluate by quantitative Real Time PCR the expression levels of c-KIT gene.

Results: We have found a highly preferential decrease rather than increase in transcript of c-KIT in malignant thyroid lesions compared to the benign ones. To explore the diagnostic utility of c-KIT expression in thyroid nodules, its expression values were divided in four arbitrarily defined classes, with class I characterized by the complete silencing of the gene. Class I and IV represented the two most informative groups, with 100% of the samples found malignant or benign respectively. The molecular analysis was proven by ROC (receiver operating characteristic) analysis to be highly specific and sensitive improving the cytological diagnostic accuracy of 15%.

Conclusion: We propose the use of BRAF test (after uncertain cytological diagnosis) to assess the malignancy of thyroid nodules at first, then the use of the c-KIT expression to ultimately assess the diagnosis of the nodules that otherwise would remain suspicious. The c-KIT expression-based classification is highly accurate and may provide a tool to overcome the difficulties in today's preoperative diagnosis of thyroid suspicious malignancies.

Authors: Sara TomeiChiara MazzantiIvo MarchettiLeonardo RossiKatia ZavagliaFrancesca LessiAlessandro ApolloPaolo AretiniGiancarlo Di CoscioGeneroso Bevilacqua

Credits/Source: Journal of Translational Medicine 2012, 10:7

Thyroid Cancer: Risk Factors and Prevention

2012-01-18T10:37:00.000-05:00

Thyroid cancer is the fastest increasing newly diagnosed cancer worldwide regardless of age, sex, race or ethnic background. According to the Mayo Clinic the number of people diagnosed with the condition is rising is rising. Women are three times more likely than men to be diagnosed with the condition and sadly, childhood cancer survivors are also at an increased risk. The National Cancer Instituted noted that during the year 2011, an estimated 36,550 women were diagnosed with thyroid cancer in the USA, compared to 11,470 men.

RISK FACTORS: Columbia University Medical Center noted that 20 to 25 percent of patients with medullary thyroid cancer and 5 percent of patients with papillary thyroid cancer have a family member who had thyroid cancer.

One type of medullary thyroid cancer, MEN 2A associated medullary thyroid cancer, usually results from a mutation of the gene RET proto-oncogene. Another type of medullary thyroid cancer, familial medullary thyroid cancer, is passed down through families.

Another genetic condition that increases the risk of thyroid cancer is familial adenomatous polyposis, a condition in which the patient develops multiple benign polyps in her colon that will become malignant if not removed. Cetta et al. noted that papillary thyroid cancer is a rare manifestation of familial adenomatous polyposis.

Exposure to radiation is another risk factor of thyroid cancer, such as radiation therapy that is targeted to the neck. Before the link between radiation and thyroid cancer was known, radiation was used to treat many benign diseases.

MedlinePlus noted that people who had radiation therapy during childhood have an increased risk of thyroid cancer. People exposed to radiation through nuclear plant accidents or nuclear weapons also have a higher risk of developing thyroid cancer.

People who have either had a goiter or who have a family history of goiters also have an increased risk of developing thyroid cancer. A goiter is a noncancerous enlargement of the thyroid gland. Goiters may occur for unknown reasons.

People who do not get enough iodine in their diet may develop colloid goiters, or endemic goiters. MedlinePlus stated that on some occasions, medications such as aminoglutethimide and lithium can cause nontoxic goiters, or sporadic goiters.

PREVENTION: While there is no way to prevent thyroid cancer, people at risk can take certain precautions. For example, the MayoClinic.com noted that people with the genetic mutation that puts them at increased risk for medullary thyroid cancer may choose to have a prophylactic thyroidectomy. Prophylactic thyroidectomy is surgery on the thyroid gland done to prevent medullary thyroid cancer.

In cases of a radiation emergency, people at risk, such as people living near a nuclear power plant, may take potassium iodine to prevent the thyroid gland from taking in radioactive iodine released in the air. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned that potassium iodine is only taken when advised by a physician, emergency management official or public health official.

REFERENCES:

National Cancer Institute. Cancer of the Thyroid – Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results. Web. 10 January 2012

Cetta F, Curia MC, Montalto G, Gori M, Cama A, Battista P and Barbarisi A. “Thyroid Carcinoma Usually Occurs in Patients with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis in the Absence of Biallelic Inactivation of the Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Gene.” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, January 2000. Web. 10 January 2012

MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Goiter – Simple. Web. 10 January 2012

Columbia University Medical Center. Thyroid Cancer – Risk Factors. Web. 10 January 2012

MayoClinic.com. Thyroid Cancer. Web. 10 January 2012

MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Thyroid Cancer. Web. 10 January 2012

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Potassium Iodine. Web. 10 January 2012

Reviewed January 10, 2011

by Michele Blacksberg RN

Thyroid Health Questions? We have answers!

2012-01-15T10:28:00.000-05:00

January is Thyroid Awareness Month, so it’s an apt time to discuss the thyroid, thyroid cancer and other thyroid conditions. The terrible earthquake in Japan last year, and the resulting nuclear meltdowns, again have placed thyroid cancer in the news. There is a very close link between radiation exposure and thyroid cancer, and it is likely that Japan will see a sharp increase in aggressive thyroid cancers in the coming years, as was the case in Russia after the Chernobyl disaster in 1986.

Here in the United States, there was an increase in thyroid cancer following the nuclear testing in the 1950s in the Southwest. Though we have ceased such open-air testing, there are still numerous ways to be exposed to radiation, such as by receiving radiation therapy for cancer. And there is also a natural incidence of thyroid cancer unrelated to radiation exposure.

What is the thyroid?

The thyroid is a gland in the neck that regulates metabolism. Around New Year’s, it is common to hear talk of underactive thyroid and how it can cause weight gain and sluggishness. Underactive thyroids can be treated very successfully with medication. Hormone replacement therapy is typically associated with few complications.

While thyroids can be underactive, they also can be overactive, causing jitteriness, weight loss, bulging eyes and sweating, among other symptoms. Overactive thyroids can be treated with medication, doses of radioactive iodine or surgery.

While all surgeries carry risks, surgical removal of a portion of the thyroid is a very effective way of treating overactive thyroid. Some surgeons will choose to remove only enough of the thyroid to reduce the glandular activity to a normal level. However, this carries the risk that the thyroid will again become overactive. As such, I, and other surgeons in my field, prefer to remove all of the thyroid — total thyroidectomy — and then place the patient on hormone replacement therapy. This helps to ensure additional surgery is not necessary.

What About Thyroid Cancer?

Thyroid cancer is much more common in women than in men. Often it is discovered when the patient feels a lump in the neck that is subsequently diagnosed as cancer.

If there is a question about whether a lump is benign, patients with a history of radiation exposure typically will be advised to have it removed. In patients without a history of radiation exposure, a course of action can include fine-needle aspiration, or needle biopsy, of the lump in order to guide decision-making. Thyroid cancer typically is very slow growing, and that allows a latitude in treatment that is unavailable when dealing with fast-growing cancers.

There are aggressive forms of thyroid cancer unrelated to radiation exposure, but they are very rare and typically occur in older males. You may recall that former U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist was diagnosed with an aggressive form of thyroid cancer.

More common forms of thyroid cancer often can be treated very effectively with thyroid surgery and medication.

Early Detection

Women should have their thyroids checked as part of their annual physical. Thyroid cancer can strike women of any age, from the teenage years through the golden years.

People with a history of radiation exposure also should be careful in monitoring their thyroids. And anyone who develops a lump in the neck that remains for more than a couple of weeks should visit a doctor.

At the University of Virginia Health System, they take a multidisciplinary approach to treating thyroid cancer and other thyroid issues. Their physicians have significant experience and expertise in thyroid cases, and they work collaboratively to determine the best course of treatment for each patient. Dr. John B. Hanks is a surgeon who treats thyroid and adrenal issues at the University of Virginia Health System.

Visit uvahealth.com for more information about thyroid health issues and treatment.

A New Healthy You 2012 and Beyond

2012-01-12T10:04:00.000-05:00

To keep up with the pace of a new year, ready to confront all its challenges, one needs to be prepared. But preparedness requires being armed against the enemies of health and wellness, namely, pollution, stress and chemical toxicity. If life is a gift, then we need to treasure it. And one of the best ways to do so is to nurture our body, mind and spirit.

Here are some helpful suggestions.

Jump-start your life

There is no better way to do this than to simply make up your mind to join the wellness bandwagon. It has now advanced from fad to lifestyle. It’s what you do from day to day that will enable you to successfully handle every task you decide to take on.

You weaken your internal system when these actions continuously become your daily habits:

• Sugar overload—Whether or not you give in to an occasional dessert craving after meals, little do you know that your hidden sugar intake is high. This comes in the form of canned juices, sauces, breads, dressings, mixed drinks and alcohol. In fact, just about everything you consume contains some kind of sweetness, whether it’s honey or sugar (white, brown, muscovado, etc.).

Overloading on sugar will slow you down eventually, even if you seem wired within the first 20 minutes of consuming it. Eventually, your sugar high will taper off and the merry-go-round repeats when the brain signals the need for yet another high. Thus, the sugar craving.

To neutralize the sugars within, take alpha lipoic acid, a sugar antioxidant, and eat leafy greens with every meal to prevent the need for sugar. Note: add more bitter gourd or ampalaya to your diet; this is a known high-blood sugar tonic. Its potency comes from the bitterness, due to the presence of momordicin. Data shows that it has an overall hypoglycemic effect on the blood, thus lowering blood glucose levels.

• Sleeplessness—If you can rule out emotional problems, stress, and alcohol or food bingeing late in the evening, then it’s probably your lifestyle that is causing you to sleep less. Anywhere from six to eight hours daily is the recommended length of sleep daily. If you go without sleep or with less sleep than you should, then your nervous system is working on over-drive. Less sleep, less energy.

• No exercise—There is an alarming upswing in the incidence of Type 2 diabetes in the world. This and other lifestyle diseases like cancer, heart disease and hypertension are directly connected to a sedentary and neglectful lifestyle. Exercise is also connected to the brain and the beauty factor. Through resistance or weight training, the human growth hormone is released. Simultaneously, it lowers stress and cortisol, the stress hormone. So, get moving today and every day. You will only look and feel better.

• Stress out—While stress is good to a certain extent, that it reassures you are still alive, repeated daily stress will wear your body out. Your adrenal glands will become exhausted until you are without energy. Manage your stress by doing simple things to calm you. Try to find time for relaxation. Balance between work and leisure is key. Also, looking on the bright side of life is always a plus factor in determining your immune system’s resilience.

Thyroid watch

It weighs only an ounce and lies in the neck, just below the larynx, your voice box. The thyroid gland may be small, but its role in your health is big. Responsible for producing thyroxine and triiodothyronine, the thyroid (part of the endocrine glands) controls the body’s oxygen consumption (thereby, the metabolic rate), promotes growth and is needed for proper brain development. When it produces too much hormones, the metabolism speeds up, but when it produces too little, the metabolic process slows down. Thus, if you are having difficulty losing or gaining weight, have your thyroid checked.

Hypothyroidism is the main culprit in the weight problems experienced by men and women in their 50s.Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, is the main suspect in the sudden weight loss conditions of people in the 40s-50s age range. In either case, tiredness and exhaustion and mild palpitations are experienced by those with thyroid conditions. Left untreated, these could lead to more serious health concerns like diabetes.

In his book “Hypothyroidism: The Unexpected Illness,” Broda O. Barnes, M.D., explains that people with diabetes have low basal temperatures. If you think your thyroid may be over or under functioning, here’s a test you can do at home.

Before retiring, place a thermometer by your bedside. Upon waking up, take your temperature. For 10 minutes, keep the thermometer in your armpit. If your temperature is not within the normal range of 97.8-98.2°F, then you may have a thyroid condition. A temperature below this range by one to three degrees is indicative of hypothyroidism. If you’re one to three degrees above normal, then you could have hypothyroidism. In any case, pay your doctor a visit.

Self-empowerment

No matter what roadblocks may lay ahead or setbacks you could be facing, always remember that there is an invincible energy source within you. The indestructible part of who you are, your spirit and heart, respond to an immortal God. Thus, the empowerment of the self is not an impossibility; it is in our own soul’s DNA.

So, reach deep within yourself. Find your reserves. Open the gates. And unleash your indefatigable energy for the entire world to see.

Affirm today: “I am on my way to a healthy new me"

Thyroid Cancer Facts and Stats 2012

2012-01-09T10:38:00.000-05:00

As you know January is Thyroid Health Awareness Month and Stevie JoEllie's Cancer Care Fund is officially launching the 10,000 Strong Against Thyroid Cancer Campaign. Here is a list of the most common unknown facts about thyroid cancer you should learn and talk to your family doctor about during your next visit.

Did you know? Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine cancer. Thyroid cancer is a cancerous tumor or growth located within the thyroid gland.

Did you know? Thyroid cancer is one of the few cancers that has increased in incidence rates over recent years. It occurs in all age groups from children through seniors.

Did you know? The American Cancer Society estimates that there where about 48,020 new cases of thyroid cancer in the U.S. in 2011. Of these new cases, about 36,550 will occur in women and about 11,470 will occur in men. About 1,740 people (980 women and 760 men) will die of thyroid cancer in 2011.

Did you know? Many patients, especially in the early stages of thyroid cancer, do not experience symptoms. However, as the cancer develops, symptoms can include a lump or nodule in the front of the neck, hoarseness or difficulty speaking, swollen lymph nodes, difficulty swallowing or breathing, and pain in the throat or neck.

Did you know? There are several types of thyroid cancer: papillary, follicular, medullary, anaplastic, and variants.

Papillary and follicular thyroid carcinomas are referred to as well-differentiated thyroid cancer and account for 80–90% of all thyroid cancers. Variants include tall cell, insular, columnar, and Hurthle cell. Their treatment and management are similar. If detected early, most papillary and follicular thyroid cancer can be treated successfully.

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) accounts for 5-10% of all thyroid cancers. Medullary cancer is easier to treat and control if found before it spreads to other parts of the body. There are two types of medullary thyroid cancer: sporadic and familial. Genetic testing (of the RET proto-oncogene should be performed in all patients with MTC to determine whether there are genetic changes that predict the development of MTC. In individuals with these genetic changes, removal of the thyroid during childhood has a high probability of being curative.

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is the least common and accounts for only 1–2% of all thyroid cancer. This type is difficult to control and treat because it is a very aggressive type of thyroid cancer.

Treatments for thyroid cancer include surgery, radioactive iodine treatment, external beam radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. In most cases, patients undergo surgery to remove most of the thyroid gland, and are treated with thyroid hormone replacement therapy. For those with papillary and follicular thyroid cancer, the dose of thyroid hormone replacement is usually high enough to suppress thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) well below the range that is normal for someone not diagnosed with thyroid cancer, to help prevent the growth of cancer cells while providing essential thyroid hormone to the body.

Factors associated with thyroid cancer include a family history of thyroid cancer, gender (women have a higher incidence of thyroid cancer), age (the majority of cases occur in people over 40, although thyroid cancer affects all age groups from children through seniors), and prior exposure of the thyroid gland to radiation. Like women childhood cancer survivors have an increased risk of developing the condition.

While the prognosis for most thyroid cancer patients is very good, the rate of recurrence can be up to 30%, and recurrences can occur even decades after the initial diagnosis. Therefore, it is important that patients get regular follow-up examinations to detect whether the cancer has re-emerged. Monitoring should continue throughout the patient’s lifetime.

Periodic follow-up examinations can include a review of the medical history together with selected blood tests appropriate for the type of cancer and stage of treatment (TSH, thyroglobulin, CEA, and calcitonin levels), physical examination, and imaging techniques (ultrasound, radioiodine whole body scan, chest X-ray, CT, MRI, PET, and other tests).

Stevie JoEllie's Cancer Care Fund is a thyroid cancer awareness, access to care and free supportive services project of United Charitable Programs Inc., a registered 501(c) 3 public charity. All donations are tax deductible as allowed by state and federal law. SJCCF differs greatly from other thyroid cancer organizations and awareness groups in that it's mission and objective is to alleviate the financial burden placed on patients and survivors of thyroid cancer, not research funding. To learn more about our volunteer opportunities please email info@sjccfthynet.org subject line: volunteer opportunities

LAST UPDATED: January 2012

Thyroid Health Facts and Stats 2012

2012-01-06T10:23:00.000-05:00

January is Thyroid Health Awareness Month. This blog post shares "Facts and Stats" on the disorder that is more common than diabetes or heart disease, and often goes undiagnosed because of its subtle symptoms.

THYROID HEALTH DISORDER TYPES:

There are two main types of thyroid disorders:

Hypothyroidism is the underproduction of the thyroid hormones T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine). This makes their metabolism slow down. About 80 per cent of patients with thyroid disorders suffer from hypothyroidism.

Hyperthyroidism is the underproduction of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4. It is less common. A hyperactive thyroid over-produces hormones and works more than it needs to, speeding up your metabolism.

THYROID DISEASE PREVENTION:

There is no known way to prevent hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. A healthy diet, exercise and proper nutrition are not just the keys to living a healthy life, but also key preventive measures. Reduce stress. If you are a smoker, stop smoking, as smoking can damage the thyroid. Some doctors advise avoiding soy supplements and eating no more than one small serving of soy foods daily.

WHY YOUR THYROID IS ESSENTIAL TO OVERALL GOOD HEALTH:

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the base of the neck just below the Adam's apple. Despite being relatively small, the thyroid gland plays a major role in influencing several functions of the body's most important organs, including the heart, liver and kidneys. Therefore, ensuring the proper functioning of the thyroid is essential to the body's overall health.

Hypothyroidism is more common than hyperthyroidism. Roughly 80 per cent of total thyroid cases are categorised as hypothyroidism.

HYPOTHYROIDISM SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:

depression

moodiness

muscular weakness and constant fatigue

muscle aches and pains

a weak, slow heart beat

unexplained weight gain

sensitivity to cold

thick, puffy skin

forgetfulness

constipation

hoarse voice

dry skin and hair

heavy menstrual flow

EARLY DETECTION:

One way to increase early detection of thyroid nodules is to perform a Thyroid Neck Check, a simple check you can do anytime, developed by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE).

HOW TO CHECK YOUR NECK AND THYROID GLAND

What you need:

Glass of water

Hand-held mirror

Hold the mirror in your hand, focusing on the lower front area of your neck, above the collar bone, and below the voice box. This is the area in which the thyroid gland is located.

While looking at this area in the mirror, tip your head back.

Take a drink of water and swallow.

As you swallow, look at your neck. Check for bulges or protrusions in the area while swallowing. Don't confuse the Adam's apple with the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located further down the neck, closer to the collar bone. Repeat the process as many times as you might need to.

If you do see any bulges or protrusions in this area, consult a doctor. You may have an enlarged thyroid gland or a thyroid nodule and should be checked to determine whether treatment for thyroid disease is needed.

DID YOU KNOW?

Thyroid disease is more common than diabetes or heart disease
More women suffer from thyroid disorders than men
The chances of developing a thyroid problem increase with age
Thyroid disorders tend to be genetic
Irritability and changes in weight gain are other signs of a thyroid disorder.

Since the signs and symptoms of thyroid disorder are common and can be associated with other medical conditions, thyroid disorders often go undiagnosed.

January is Thyroid Disease Awareness Month

2012-01-03T11:34:00.000-05:00

Thyroid disease affects 25 million Americans but half of them don't know they have it. Dr. Val Jones explains the signs and symptoms of thyroid disease to the Let's Talk Live crew at ABC News Channel 8 in Washington, DC.

e-Cycle For Stevie JoEllie's Cancer Care Fund

2011-12-26T18:05:00.000-05:00

Now that Christmas is over: Do Good with your old electronic gadgets and cell phones to support Stevie JoEllie's Cancer Care Fund no matter where you live in the 48 contiguous United States of America! Shipping labels and packaging absolutely free to you!

Simply Go Online and follow the easy instructions on our e-cycle fundraising website

http://sjccfthynet.gazelle.com

ITEMS ACCEPTED IN 22 CATEGORIES AS DONATIONS TO REACH OUR FUNDRAISING GOALS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

Blu-Ray Players
Cell Phones
External Drives
LCD Monitors
PDAs
Tablets
Calculators
Desktops
GPS Devices
Laptops
Projectors
Video Games
Camcorders
Digital Cameras
Gaming Consoles
MP3 Players
Satellite Radios
Camera Lenses
E-Readers
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What Is Gazelle?

Gazelle is a reCommerce service that helps you sell and recycle your used electronics or donate them to charity as a fundraising tool. Whether you want to sell or donate a cell phone, laptop, or any other of the more than 250,000 products they accept, Gazelle can help.

What Happens When I Sell / Donate My Electronics?

Once received, your used cell phones and other used electronics are inspected to make sure their condition matches your evaluation. Then we send you payment or the cash value as a donation to your selected charity. The complete process takes about a week once Gazelle receives your box.

What Does Gazelle Do With My Used Electronics?

Gazelle, believes electronics recycling begins with reuse. They extend the lives of used electronics by selling them through retail and wholesale outlets. Items without value are responsibly recycled.

FREE WORKSHOP: Safe Self-Care For Cancer Patients & Survivors

2011-12-24T14:27:00.002-05:00

WHEN: January 26, 2012 6:00PM to 8:00PM

WHERE: The Fine Grind - A Coffee Bar

101 Newark Pompton Turnpike,
Suite 8, Little Falls NJ

WHAT: Free Workshop Safe Self-Care For Cancer Patients & Survivors

Author and Cinco Vidas Founder Britta Aragon will be the guest speaker in this lecture on topics like safe self care during and after cancer, managing difficult life transitions after cancer, how to care for compromised skin and more!

Britta Aragon has been featured at Gilda’s Club Cancer Community Support Center, Life and Liberty Cancer Events, and more, she enjoys spreading the word about raising the standard of safe self care. We hope you will join us!

FREE REGISTRATION http://www.facebook.com/events/238344769561572

Her book When Cancer Hits was released in September 2011, and CV Skin Labs launches February 2012. Both will be available through her website at www.cincovidas.com

Genzyme Update: Thyrogen Supply 2012

2011-12-22T13:14:00.016-05:00

Genzyme is reporting in a statement today that the global supply of Thyrogen will remain limited but improve for 2012. Genzyme anticipates meeting levels that approach 60-80% of that delivered in 2010 for the upcoming year. US supplies will likely be towards the upper end of this range.

Genzyme recommends that physicians seek to obtain Thyrogen for their patient through their usual suppliers but wait until it is secured before scheduling Thyrogen use in their patients.

PDF DOWNLOAD

Genzyme update on supply of Thyrogen®
(thyrotropin alfa for injection)

Fan-Tastic National Sports Getaway Fundraiser

2011-12-05T17:51:00.001-05:00

Great Christmas Gift! Watch your favorite pro team/athlete compete at home, or take a short road trip and see them play a nearby rival on the road. Your Fan-Tastic National Sports Getaway for A Cause includes: 3 days/ 2 nights deluxe hotel accommodations in your destination city nationwide. Two Tickets to your choice of one regular season MLB, NBA,NFL, NHL, NCAA, NASCAR game/event or ground passes to a non major PGA Golf Tournament! Online Registration and a minimum USD Donation of $800 required to received your Fan-Tastic National Sports Getaway for A Cause Package--Proceeds Benefit Stevie JoEllie's Cancer Care Fund other restrictions and rules apply.

For More Information Visit or to Make your Tax Deductible Donation to Receive your Fantastic National Sports Getaway For a Cause Package Voucher Today Please Visit

https://www.registrationfactory.com/v3/?EventUUID=BBC89122

Foods That May Affect Your Thyroid Health

2011-12-03T06:35:00.001-05:00

As you know thyroid cancer patients and survivors must routinely follow a low iodine diet prior to a Radioactive Iodine Scan. What many people don't know is that what we eat or don't eat on a regular basis does affect our overall thyroid health and how effectively our thyroid hormone replacement therapy works.

Here are 2 basic lists to consider and discuss with your doctor or better yet a nutritionist.

Foods that May Speed Up a Slow Thyroid

1. Sea Weed: Naturally rich in iodine as well as trace minerals, sea weed has long been considered a food that supports thyroid function. Indeed, native peoples subsisting on their traditional diets often went to very great lengths to obtain sea vegetables in effort to avoid goiter. Iodine is critical to thyroid health and function. Without adequate dietary iodine, your body is unable to manufacture the thyroid hormones. Of course, excess intake of iodine-rich foods is also implicated in thyroid disease. Remember: moderation is the key, not excess. (Want to up your sea vegetable intake? Try my coconut milk kanten with wild plums or my cucumber and daikon radish salad with hijiki.)

2. Coconut Oil: Coconut oil also supports proper thyroid function as it slightly stimulates thyroid hormone production and the metabolism. In this way, wise incorporation of coconut oil into the the diet is thought to support thyroid health and help sufferers of hypothyroidism to lose weight. Coconut oil may also help to reduce cholesterol in hypothyroid patients as thyroid suppression in and of itself raises blood cholesterol levels. Coconut oil is largely comprised of saturatef fat and saturated fat promotes thyroid function.

3. Shellfish: Shellfish, like sea vegetables, are naturally rich in iodine – the nutrient that is critically important to thyroid function as iodine molecules are used inthe production of thyroid hormones.

Foods that May Slow Down a Speedy Thyroid

1. Fermented Soy Foods: Soy is very goitrogenic. A strong suppressor of thyroid hormones, some research indicates that soy may even be more effective in thyroid suppression than anti-thyroid drugs. Don’t forget that soy is a potent food, and that while sufferers of hyperthyroidism might welcome soy’s thyroid-suppressing effects, take care to eat soy in its fermented state in foods like tempeh and miso as soy also contains antinutrients like phytic acid which impair the body’s overall ability to absorb many nutrients.

2. Raw Cruciferous Vegetables: Raw cruciferous vegetables also suppress thyroid function. Cruciferous vegetables like kohlrabi, cabbage, cauliflour, rapini, turnips and brussels sprouts contain goitrogens that interfere with iodine uptake and, in that way, also interfere with production of thyroid hormones. (Want to get more raw cruciferous veggies into your diet? Try my Simple Slaw with Flaxseed Oil & Honey.)

3. Millet: Millet, like cruciferous vegetables, contains goitrogens and interferes with iodine uptake. Cooking millet, as well as goitrogen-rich cruciferous vegetables, may mitigate its antithyroid effects to some degree.

Foods that Aren’t Doing Anyone’s Thyroid a Favor

1. Gluten-containing Grains: Recent research into autoimmune diseases and autoimmune thyroid disease in particular indicates that there’s a strong connection between celiac disease and thyroid disease. Indeed, study published in Digestive Diseases & Science indicates that sufferers of autoimmune thyroid disease have roughly a 400% greater chance of also suffering from celiac disease than control groups. Moreover, some research indicates that after 3-6 months on a gluten-free diet, those pesky anti-thyroid antibodies virtually disappear. That’s a poweful case to remove wheat, barley and other gluten-containing grains from your diet if you suffer from any form of autoimmune thyroid disease.

2. Unfermented Soy: Unfermented soy foods – particularly those rich in concentrated isoflavones and genistien – contribute to autoimmune thyroid disease. Reasearch into soy formula and its effects on babies indicates that babies fed soy formula are more likely to develope autoimmune thyroid disease and large concentrations of unfermented soy may adversely thyroid function in adults. If you eat soy, keep to small amounts and always choose fermented forms

About the Author: Wilma Ariza is the Founder of Stevie JoEllie's Cancer Care Fund a thyroid cancer awareness, access to care and free supportive services nonprofit project of United Charitable Programs Inc., a 501(c)3 Public Charity

Find Us @ Facebook.com/sjccfthynet

You Can Make a Difference Today!

2011-12-01T12:25:00.000-05:00

Stevie JoEllie's Cancer Care Fund is a 100% Volunteer led thyroid cancer awareness, access to care and free supportive services project of United Charitable Programs Inc., a 501(c) 3 Public Charity. It was originally started in 2008 by a group of friends who have all lost someone close to them with this disease we call cancer or who have been touched personally by the fastest increasing newly diagnosed cancer in America today: Thyroid Cancer.

We shared a very real heartache, we all cared for and loved someone who lost, or nearly lost, everything they worked for as a result of cancer care costs and related expenses. We witnessed first hand how many of the cancer survivors we knew with depleted savings, unable to work or find work had to decide between food and shelter or medications and follow-up medical care after the most a financially devastating and emotionally traumatic experience of their lives, surviving cancer.

We could not sit by and without extending a helping hand and a very different from cancer awareness and support organization was born. Stevie JoEllie's Cancer Care Funds' mission, vision and goal is focused on one priority patient care and assistance, not research funding.

The American Cancer Institute projects there will be 48,000 new cases of thyroid cancer diagnosed in 2011, of those 1,750 will result in death. It is the fastest increasing newly diagnosed cancer worldwide regardless of age, sex, race or ethnic background. Women are three times more likely than men to be diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Sadly, childhood cancer survivors are also at an increased risk of developing the condition later in life.

While the prognosis for most thyroid cancer patients is very good, the rate of recurrence can be up to 30%, and recurrences can occur even decades after the initial diagnosis. Therefore, it is important that thyroid cancer survivors get regular follow up examinations to detect early any sign of recurrence, thus monitoring thyroid hormone levels by an endocrine specialist and other diagnostic testing such as neck ultrasound and/or periodic radioactive iodine scans becomes necessary throughout the patient's lifetime.

Thanks to generous people like you, we are making progress every day in the fight against thyroid cancer. We realize these are financially challenging times, and that's why your tax deductible gift means more than ever to the 1.4 million people who will be diagnosed with cancer this year and become one more person at risk of developing thyroid cancer in the future, not to millions of people who are cancer survivors at this very moment.

When you support Stevie JoEllie's Cancer Care Fund, your donation allows us to help pay for:

Doctor bills.
Hospital bills.
Diagnostic Testing.
Cost of Medications.
Transportation expenses.
Annual Physicals.
Physical therapy.
Childcare Assistance.
Day to day living expenses.

and more....

We really need and appreciate your help!

Please Support Stevie JoEllie's Cancer Care Fund Today.

>>>CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW<<<<

Thank You!

Often No Symptoms Alert Thyroid Cancer Patients

2011-11-30T07:03:00.001-05:00

Thyroid cancer doesn't often alert you to its presence until a lump in your neck becomes noticeable. Some lumps are harmless growths called nodules, while others can be due to conditions unrelated to the thyroid gland.

The thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck, so you might think that if a tumor is growing the symptoms would be obvious. Unfortunately, thyroid cancer doesn't usually cause any symptoms — until the cancer has grown large enough to show itself in the form of a lump. Complicating the picture even more, not all thyroid growths are thyroid cancer.

"A lump in the thyroid is the most common sign of a thyroid cancer," says Matthew Old, MD, of The Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus. Often the lump is hard to the touch and appears on the front or side of the neck.

It may be easier to notice the lump while you're eating — in fact, someone else may spot the lump moving up and down, says Mira Milas, MD, director of the Thyroid Center at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. And that may be all you notice in the early stages of thyroid cancer, says Dr. Milas.

But don't brush it off as nothing suspicious or serious; pay attention to the lump and how it changes. "Any persistent lump (lasting over two weeks) in the thyroid or neck should be promptly evaluated," says Dr. Old.

Variations in Thyroid Cancer Symptoms

"Symptoms between individuals can vary widely," adds Old. Most people have no symptoms, while others can have thyroid cancer symptoms significant enough to be life-threatening, such as breathing problems.

The vast difference in symptoms from person to person really depends on what type of thyroid cancer they have. Papillary thyroid cancer, the most common type, rarely causes any symptoms at all. But anaplastic thyroid cancer, which is extremely rare and deadly, can cause significant symptoms and life-threatening issues, says Old.

Advanced Thyroid Cancer Symptoms

"Thyroid cancer can be quite advanced before causing any symptoms," says Old. Signs of advanced thyroid cancer may include:

Swollen neck
Swollen thyroid gland
Lump on the gland
Losing weight
Coughing
Pain in the neck
Hoarse voice
Difficulty swallowing
Difficulty breathing

Could It Be Something Else?

It's important to know that even a lump in your neck doesn’t automatically mean that you have thyroid cancer. Because most cancers of the thyroid do not cause any symptoms, it’s more likely that the lump is a benign thyroid nodule — a non-cancerous growth.

"Most lumps or nodules of the thyroid are not cancer. The thyroid may enlarge and develop into a goiter, which is [also] not cancer," says Old. "Many things can cause lumps in the neck, ranging from benign congenital abnormalities to infections to cancers not related to the thyroid."

Even something as harmless as a toothache, a sinus infection, or some other infection could mimic thyroid cancer symptoms, says Milas, adding, "People who have lymphoma also have lumps or masses in the neck that might mimic thyroid cancer."

Testing, which includes an ultrasound of your thyroid gland to show the location of the lump, is the only sure way to determine if you have thyroid cancer.

Last Updated: 09/28/2010

Fukushima Children Tested for Thyroid Cancer Risk

2011-11-22T10:00:00.000-05:00

"Is it depression or low thyroid?

2011-11-21T11:36:00.002-05:00

In the last 25 years a great many good research studies have shown that up to 40% of what psychiatrists diagnose as depression, is actually thyroid imbalance. Many depressions, as well as instances of bipolar, that are refractory to standard psychiatric medicines are actually much better and more successfully treated with thyroid hormone. Dr. Shames further explained that, "Treatment with thyroid hormone is much less expensive and carries much less in the way of risks and side effects than the more standard treatment with Prozac or Zoloft, especially when mental sluggishness of low thyroid is mis-diagnosed as clinical depression."

Better ways of making a more accurate distinction between thyroid problems and depression now exist. Improved diagnostic technology is currently available via quality home test kits ordered by doctors or patients themselves through the internet. (www.CanaryClub.org) Dr. Shames applauds this innovation, since regular thyroid blood tests are so distressingly unreliable. According to this thyroid doctor, "The medical climate is ripe for change."

Richard Shames, MD is a practicing physician, teacher and author. He graduated Harvard and University of Pennsylvania, did research at the National Institutes of Health with Nobel Prize winner Marshall Nirenberg, and has been in private practice for twenty five years. In addition to his medical office work, he has been a member of the Clinical Faculty of the University of California Medical Center in San Francisco, a founding member of the American Holistic Medical Association, a participant in the Carl Menninger Foundation, and a member of Who's Who in California as well as nationally. He has served as Adjunct Faculty at Florida Atlantic University.

Dr. Shames has published a number of health-related books. In addition, he is a popular speaker and local media personality, and has created his own audio and video tape series. The author is well known for his prominence and pioneering work in the holistic field. His newest book is Thyroid Mind Power.

For more information please contact Julie Dietz at Preventive Medical Center of Marin l ocated at 25 Mitchell Blvd # 8 San Rafael, CA 94903. She can be reached at 415-472-2343 extension 7. For further information about Dr. Shames, visit www.thyroidpower.com

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For the original version on PRWeb visit: www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2011/11/prweb8965393.htm

Experts Urge Cancer Survivorship Research Must Look at Quality of Life

2011-11-19T17:26:00.003-05:00

Assessing the quality of life experienced by cancer survivors is becoming increasingly important, say researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla. Such an assessment has a number of important applications when doing research on cancer survivorship, but just how to measure quality of life for cancer survivors is still being developed.

Asessment of quality of life in cancer patients can be tailored through the use of measures specific to a particular disease, treatment, or end point on the cancer continuum," said study authors Paul B. Jacobsen, Ph.D., and Heather S. Jim, Ph.D., of Moffitt's Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior. They published their conclusions in a recent issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention.

The authors identify strategies and priorities for quality of life research with cancer survivors. For example, observational studies can generate data on the nature and extent of problems experienced by cancer survivors in relation to their type of disease and treatment received, as well as the time elapsed since treatment was completed.

"This information can be used to inform patients of the expected consequences of specific treatments and to help identify their rehabilitative needs," said Jacobsen. "Similarly, the outcomes of clinical trials that include quality of life as an endpoint in studies can be useful in identifying which treatments yield the best quality of life for cancer survivors."

In addition, quality of life assessments can be used to evaluate the quality of care patients received. "Quality of life is a multidimensional construct about functioning -- from physical to social -- and is most often assessed by self report, either by interview or questionnaire," noted Jim. "However, some research suggests that patients may be less likely to report poor quality of life in response to an interview as compared to a questionnaire."

In total, the authors evaluate almost 20 commonly used measures of quality of life for cancer patents and cancer survivors. For example, the authors discuss the Quality of Life in Adult Cancer Survivors (QLACS) measure that is driven, in part, by the view that existing cancer-specific measures were designed primarily to capture the effects of diagnosis and treatment.

"These measures may not adequately assess problems that can persist long after treatment, such as pain, fatigue, cognitive difficulties, sexual difficulties and body image concerns," said Jim. Greater consistency in quality of life measurement may be found in the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) initiative, the authors report. The initiative is designed to develop, validate and standardize item banks for measurement of patient-reported outcomes for a wide range of conditions, including cancer.

According to Jacobsen and Jim, too many studies are based on "convenience sampling" at a single recruitment site, and these studies often suffer from the limitation of being too small. "There is a need for research based on larger cohorts of cancer survivors recruited from multiple sites, or by using population-based recruitment strategies," said Jacobsen.

The authors conclude by noting the "marked increase" in publications on quality of life for cancer survivors in recent years, suggesting widespread recognition of the value of such research. "However, for the field to continue to progress, important issues still need to be addressed," said Jacobsen. "Most important among these is how quality of life is to be measured, in whom it is measured, and what uses are made of quality of life data."

SOURCE: ScienceDaily Press Release (Oct. 28, 2011)

Finding Reliable Health Information on the Web

2011-11-18T22:10:00.002-05:00

The explosion of information on the internet has certainly benefited people with cancer, but has also added a good dose of confusion and new pressure. With thousands of websites offering cancer information, knowing which ones to trust can be difficult.

If you don't have a computer at home, most public libraries have computers with free internet access for your use. If you're not familiar with how to use computers or the internet, ask a friend, family member or staff person at the library to help you.

Where to begin ?

A good place to begin is always with your health care team. Your doctor, nurse or social worker can tell you about websites or books related to your cancer type that will provide credible information.

Government institutions, like the National Cancer Institute (http://www.cancer.gov/), provide trustworthy, current information on cancer staging, new treatments, side effects management and more.

Nonprofit organizations can refer you to helpful websites such as the following:

CancerCare
http://www.cancercare.org/
Association of Cancer Online Resources
http://www.acor.org/
American Society of Clinical Oncology http://www.peoplelivingwithcancer.org/
University of Pennsylvania Oncology
http://www.oncolink.org/

Can I trust this website ?

What is the purpose of the website - educational or commercial ?

Educational websites, which are generally sponsored by nonprofit organizations, provide information about many different treatment options. Commercial sites, like those sponsored by pharmaceutical companies, will provide excellent information about their own products (drugs) and/or research procedures or clinical trials but are not a good place to learn about the full range of treatment options.

What is the website's or blog reputation?

Chances are, if you or your doctor or other professionals you trust have heard of the website, it's reliable.

What is the source of the information ?

Generally, nationally known cancer centers, medical schools, large nonprofit organizations, and government agencies provide the highest quality information but a number or new comers such as SJCCF are reliable information contenders with the best of them.

Is the information relevant to you ?

A good website provides information that speaks to your needs.

Can you identify the authors of the material?

If they are not experts in the field or if they are anonymous, their information could be misleading or inaccurate.

Are the links relevant and appropriate for the site?

Websites that refer you to commercial sources of information should be rejected because they may not be providing you with all the information you need to make an educated well informed decision.

Remember the internet is not a substitute for individual medical care. Use credible information you find on these sites and this blog to help you communicate more effectively with YOUR DOCTOR

Wanted: Event Development Assistant Volunteer

2011-11-16T18:48:00.033-05:00

Volunteer Job Title: Event Development Assistant

Purpose: Assists Development Director in the area of special events development and coordination as needed for the 2012-2013 Fiscal Year

Location: Flexible Telecommute Northern/Central New Jersey, Orlando, Florida, Miami Florida
-- Stevie JoEllie’s Cancer Care Fund’s Office

Key Responsibilities: Prepares correspondence as needed. Helps prepare bulk mailings. Makes and confirms appointments on behalf of Development Director. Follow up phone calls to sponsorship and gifts-in-kind solicitations/proposals and silent auction item requests. Prepares and maintains sponsor, donor and vendor database. Records donations that come and enters in database. Follow up phone calls to other who are assigned to other event development projects as needed. Other duties as assigned.

Reports To: Development Director

Length Of Appointment: Event Development Assistant is assigned to one day per week for a minimum period of three months. After three months, the Event Development Assistant may be reappointed for another three months at the discretion of the supervisor. After six months, the person who is serving may rotate to another position within the agency or be hired as a paid staff member.

Time Commitment: One day per week (M, W, or F) for six hours (9AM -12 PM or 1PM to 4PM), for a minimum of three months.

Qualifications: Dependability. Problem solving ability, pleasant disposition and manner. Basic knowledge of computer and data entry. Basic customer service or call center knowledge. Bi-Lingual preferred but not required.

Support: Training for this position will be available. In addition the Program Manager/ Development Director will be available for questions and/or assistance.

Age Requirements: 21 and over

Dress Code: Business Casual

Start Date: Immediately

Benefits: Rewarding Work Life Experience Working with a Nonprofit Organization, Certificate of Service, Letter of Reference

Please email letter of interest, resume and 3 references to sjccfthynet@gmail.com
Subject line Senior Event Development Assistant.

Family Matters: Talking to Your Elderly Parent About Your Cancer

2011-11-15T21:36:00.004-05:00

Since people are living much longer these days, many people with cancer may also be caring for their aging parents. For example, you may help your parents with their shopping or take them to doctor. Your aging parents may even live with you.

You have to decide how much to tell your parents about your cancer. Your decision may depend on how well your parents can understand and cope with the news. If your parents are in good health, think about talking with them about your disease.

Now that you have cancer, you may need extra help caring for your parents. You may need help only while you are in treatment. Or you may need to make long-term changes in your parents' care. Talk with your family members, friends, health professionals, and community agencies to see how they can help.

Summing Up: Cancer and Your Family

Cancer will not only change your life, but also the lives of those around you. It impacts families and friends in different ways.

Talking about cancer can be hard for some families.
Routines of family life may change.
Roles and duties within the family will change.
Relationships can be both strained and strengthened.
Dealing with money and insurance often become hard.
You may need to change where you live and with whom, at least for a while.

As you think about how cancer has changed your life and your family's life, think about reaching outside your family to get help.

You may need help with household chores and errands.
Respite care can give your regular caregivers a much-needed break.
Counseling and support groups can help your family deal with the issues that cancer raises.

Most families find that being honest and open about the cancer, about the problems that arise, and about their feelings, helps them handle the changes that cancer causes.

Helping Your Friends Help You During Your Cancer Treatment

2011-11-14T09:40:00.007-05:00

Do not protect yourself by a fence, but rather by your friends. --Czech Proverb

Once friends learn of your cancer, they may begin to worry. Some will ask you to tell them ways to help. Others will wonder how they can help but may not know how to ask. You can help your friends cope with the news by letting them help you in some way.

Think about the things your friends do well and don't mind doing. Make a list of things you think you might need. This way, when they ask you how they can be of help, you'll be able to share your list of needs and allow them to pick something they're willing to do.

Sample list of need:

Baby-sit on days that I go to treatment.
Prepare frozen meals for my "down days."
Put my name on the prayer list at my place of worship.
Bring me a few books from the library when you go.
Visit for tea or coffee when you can.
Let others know that it is alright to call or visit me (or let others know that I'm not ready for visitors just yet).

Family Matters: Talking To Adult Children About Cancer

2011-11-13T10:11:00.004-05:00

Your relationship with your adult children may change now that you have cancer. You may:

Ask them to take on new duties, such as making health care decisions, paying bills, or taking care of the house.

Ask them to explain some of the information you've received from your doctor or to go with you to doctor's visits so they can also hear what the doctors are telling you.

Rely on them for emotional support. For instance, you may ask them to act as "go-betweens" with friends or other family members.

Want them to spend a lot of time with you. This can be hard, especially if they have jobs or young families of their own.

Find it hard to receive--rather than give--comfort and support from them.

Feel awkward when they help with your physical care, such as feeding or bathing.

As the adult daughter of a woman with ovarian cancer said,

"Mom was always the rock in the family. Whenever any of us had a problem, we could go to her for help. Now we had to help her. It was almost as though we were the parents and she was the child. To make it even harder, we had our own children to take care of and jobs to go to."

Talking With Your Adult Children

It is important to talk about cancer with your adult children, even if they get upset or worry about you. Include them when talking about your treatment. Let them know your thoughts and wishes. They should be prepared in case you don't recover from your cancer.

Even adult children worry that their parents will die. When they learn that you have cancer, adult children may realize how important you are to them. They may feel guilty if they haven't been close with you. They may feel bad if they cannot spend a lot of time with you because they live far away or have other duties. Some of these feelings may make it harder to talk to your adult children. If you have trouble talking with your adult children, ask your doctor or nurse to suggest a counselor you can all talk with.

Make the most of the time you have with your adult children. Talk about how much you mean to each other. Express all your feelings--not just love but also anxiety, sadness, and anger. Don't worry about saying the wrong thing. It's better to share your feelings rather than hide them.

One who conceals grief finds no remedy for it.
--Turkish Proverb

Cancer Risk for the Children of People Who Have Cancer

Now that you have cancer, your children may wonder about their chance of getting it as well. A higher risk for some types of cancer is passed from parent to child. However, this is not the case for every type. And everyone's body is different. If concerned, however, children should talk with a doctor about their risk of getting cancer.

Testing for certain genes can be a way to find out if a person is at higher risk of getting cancer.

Although some genetic tests can be helpful, they don't always give people the kinds of answers they are seeking. Talk to your doctor if you or someone in your family wants to learn more about genetic changes that increase cancer risk.. He or she can refer you to a person who is specially trained in this area. These experts can help you think through your choices and answer your questions.