October 2016 Vol 2 No 5
Issue Introductions
Hello everyone, and welcome to the October issue of CONQUER! Once again, we have a wealth of information in these pages. September was National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so we dedicate a large portion of this issue to these 2 cancer types.
Art Inspired
By Kathy Hanley
5-time lung cancer survivor Kathy Hanley paints, donates paintings to hospitals, and raises money for Lung Force in Orlando, Florida.
ChemotherapySide-Effects Management
Some chemotherapies can cause problems with sensory and motor skills; these disorders are called “neuropathies.” Most neuropathy problems improve after chemotherapy is finished.
Survivorship
When dealing with a cancer diagnosis, discussion of a cancer treatment plan is vital to help guide decisions about lifestyle and treatment. Equally important is a consideration of the individual who is experiencing cancer.
Financial Support
By Dana Taylor
Paying for cancer treatment can be challenging even for patients who have insurance. This article lists the national organizations and foundations that provide direct financial assistance for patients with cancer who are having difficulties paying for their cancer care.
ImmunotherapyLung Cancer
By Laura Morgan
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 224,390 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2016, and more than 158,000 patients will die from this disease. Smoking is the major risk factor for lung cancer–80% of lung cancer deaths are related to smoking.
Survivorship
Once the statement “you have cancer” passed through my ears and hit my brain, I experienced a temporary form of hearing loss. I could see the radiologist’s lips moving, but I didn’t hear a word he was saying.
Multiple MyelomaPatient Advocacy
By Nick Bryant
The death-defying feats of James Bond were explored on an episode of the Lifetime network’s The Balancing Act. No, not that James Bond. Our James Bond didn’t hail from the UK’s Secret Service, but is an American who has been besieged by a foe as lethal as Dr. No or SMERSH–the rare blood cancer multiple myeloma.
Breast CancerPatient Stories
By Megan Knight
Just 3 weeks after her 43rd birthday, and after discovering a lump on her left breast, Megan Knight learned that she had breast cancer.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among American women. In 2016, more than 245,000 cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women and an additional 2,600 new cases will be diagnosed in men.