What’s trending now…
I have a little box on my home page that headlines “What’s trending now.” C-list reality celebs just don’t grab my attention so I hardly read the list.
I noticed it today, however because the word “cancer” was listed fourth.
Cancer was “trending” today.
A little digging to find out why cancer was “trending” and the research taught me that President Obama had made history last night, by signing the “Recalcitrant Cancer Act” into law. What in the world is that “Act” you’re wondering? It was previously known as “The Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act.”
This legislation will require the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to examine its current research efforts on cancers with very low survival rates, like pancreatic cancer, and to work to develop early detection methods and better treatment options for these difficult cancers. Lung cancer is another one of these earmarked to get more attention.
There are many new guidelines the NCI must now follow to advance research of these deadly diseasaes. The men and women in the lab coats working on these cancers will get more support now. Their work will be reviewed differently and the victims of these killers will be the benefactors.
Pancreatic cancer, lung cancer…they don’t get many big events; the spotlight doesn’t shine much on these cancers. This is big news because it says more support is on the way and hope can’t be far behind.
That’s certainly better than “trending.”
January 18, 2013 @ 2:11 am
Can non-small cell lung cancer be found early?Usually sytompms of lung cancer do not appear until the disease is already in an advanced, non-curable stage. Even when sytompms of lung cancer do appear, many people may mistake them for other problems, such as an infection or long-term effects from smoking. This may delay the diagnosis.Some lung cancers are diagnosed early because they are found as a result of tests for other medical conditions. For example, lung cancer may be found by imaging tests (such as a chest x-ray or chest CT scan), bronchoscopy (viewing the inside of lung airways through a flexible lighted tube), or sputum cytology (microscopic examination of cells in coughed up phlegm) done for other reasons in patients with heart disease, pneumonia, or other lung conditions. A small portion of these patients do very well and may be cured of lung cancer.
January 7, 2013 @ 8:40 am
Been away for awhile. Had left knee surgery (arthro) to fix some issues so that when my left hip is replaced in February, I am able to do the rehab. All of my parts seem to be failing at the same time but then again, it could always be worse.
Glad that more money is slated for pancreatic and lung cancer research. I am just so blessed that my lung cancer was caught early and with the removal of the cancerous lobe, no further treatment was required.
Just wish that the guys and girls in the garages would develop some real break-thrus and that it would translate immediately into saving lives.
January 7, 2013 @ 2:14 pm
Welcome back, Al…I was getting worried about you!!
Don’t worry…your MOST important “parts” are healthy and continue to give us all great input and guidance.
L
January 17, 2013 @ 2:06 pm
Current screening rmoaemendoticnsAt this time, no major professional organizations, including the American Cancer Society, recommend routine lung cancer screening, either for all people or for those at increased risk. However, as the results from the NLST are further analyzed, some organizations may update their rmoaemendoticns in the near future. In the meantime, some people who are at higher risk (and their doctors) may consider whether screening is appropriate for them.While a full cancer screening guideline is being developed, the American Cancer Society has created interim guidance for people and their doctors regarding the use of low-dose CT scans for the early detection of lung cancer:•People between the ages of 55 and 74 who meet the entry criteria of the NLST (see above) and are concerned about their risk of lung cancer may consider screening for lung cancer. With their doctor, people interested in screening should weigh the currently known benefits of screening with the currently known limits and risks in order to make a shared decision as to whether they should be screened for lung cancer.•Doctors may choose to discuss lung cancer screening with their patients who meet NLST entry criteria.•For people who do not meet the NLST entry criteria (because of younger age, smoking history, etc.), it is not clear if the possible benefits of screening outweigh the harms, so screening in these people is not recommended at this time. This is especially the case among people with no smoking history, in whom the possible harms are much more likely than benefits at this time. Whether people whose age or smoking history would have made them ineligible for the NLST should be screened will be addressed during the guidelines development process as more data becomes available.•People who choose to be screened should follow the NLST protocol for annual screening. This should be done in an organized screening program at an institution with expertise in spiral CT screening, with access to a multidisciplinary team skilled in finding and treating abnormal lung lesions. Referring doctors should help their patients find institutions with this expertise.•There is always benefit to quitting smoking. Active smokers entering a lung screening program should be urged to enter a smoking cessation program. Screening should not be viewed as an alternative to quitting smoking.•For people considering screening (and their doctors), some statistics from the NLST may be helpful. Of the nearly 26,000 people screened by low-dose CT in the NLST, 1,060 were diagnosed with lung cancer. Screening is estimated to have prevented 88 lung cancer deaths while causing 16 deaths. Six of the 16 deaths were in patients who ultimately were found not to have cancer.
January 6, 2013 @ 10:36 pm
My husband died 82 days after his pancreatic cancer was discovered. In hindsight, there were subtle symptoms that, at the time, we both explained away. Basically, by the time we realized something wasn’t right, it was too late. Here’s hoping that someone in the future can be spared the devastation of knowing that there is no effective treatment and you must choose between quantity of life or quality of life. We chose QUALITY, without regret.
January 4, 2013 @ 9:34 pm
Always nice to hear of more research, which gives a little more hope those diagnosed and that is always a good thing.
January 4, 2013 @ 8:52 pm
Good to know. Pancreatic cancer is in my family (it took my grandfather’s life), and my brother had several cancers, lung cancer among them.
January 4, 2013 @ 8:51 pm
That is wonderful news. The anniversary of my sister’s death due to pancreatic cancer is two weeks shy of a year. I pray they make huge strides forward in their research for this and all cancers.
January 18, 2013 @ 12:07 pm
That’s a smart answer to a dififcult question.