Meg Barbor, MPH
Authored Items
December 2022 Vol 8 No 6 — December 15, 2022
Clinical trials offer patients the opportunity to get the newest and most promising cancer treatments, so why do only 5% of adult patients with cancer participate in them? Read about the key barriers that need to be addressed. Read More ›
August 2022 Vol 8 No 4 — August 17, 2022
Sometimes we hear words that sound familiar but we don’t fully know their meaning. This article explains the common terms “personalized medicine” and “targeted therapy” used by oncologists, and why we need to understand them. Read More ›
June 2022 Vol 8 No 3 — June 16, 2022
People diagnosed with one type of cancer are at an increased risk of having a second cancer later on, explains Dr. Edith Mitchell, highlighting the importance of continued cancer screenings. Read More ›
February 2022 Vol 8 No 1 — February 25, 2022
Less than half of patients with cancer who have mental disorders or emotional distress are referred for appropriate care. This article tackles head-on how to deal with these issues as a patient. Read More ›
December 2021 Vol 7 No 6 — December 22, 2021
A thorough overview of multiple myeloma, including an understanding of treatment options, the importance of patient and doctor communication, and an oncology navigator’s experience treating this form of blood cancer. Read More ›
October 2021 Vol 7 No 5 — October 14, 2021
This article explains why for women with advanced cervical cancer, using adjuvant chemotherapy has no benefit, and possible severe side effects.
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October 2020 Vol 6 No 5 — October 16, 2020
At age 24, Nalie Agustin was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer. After about 3 years of remission and gaining a large online following through her inspirational writing, videos, and podcasts, she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. She explains to doctors that their words are as powerful as the treatments they prescribe. Read More ›
ASCO 2020 Highlights — September 8, 2020
Results of a new study showed that the combination of Cabometyx (cabozantinib) and the immune checkpoint inhibitor Tecentriq (atezolizumab) was safe and effective in men with metastatic (spreading) castration-resistant prostate cancer, the most common type of prostate cancer. Read More ›
ASCO 2020 Highlights — September 8, 2020
The PARP inhibitor Lynparza (olaparib), a type of drug that is usually used for the treatment of women with ovarian cancer, has also been studied in men with prostate cancer. The results of the PROfound clinical trial were recently presented at the 2020 ASCO annual meeting by Antoine Thiery-Vuillemin, MD, PhD, Centre Hospitalier de Besançon, France. Read More ›
ASCO 2020 Highlights — September 8, 2020
Patients with metastatic (spreading to other parts of the body) non–small-cell lung cancer who received the drug Tecentriq (atezolizumab) as a first-line therapy had improvements in physical functioning, without worsening of their lung cancer–related symptoms, compared with patients who received chemotherapy. Read More ›
ASCO 2020 Highlights — September 8, 2020
The combination of Lenvima (lenvatinib), an oral kinase inhibitor, and the immunotherapy Keytruda (pembrolizumab), a PD-1 inhibitor, showed promising benefits for the treatment of patients with liver cancer (or hepatocellular carcinoma) that cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable). Read More ›
ASCO 2020 Highlights — September 8, 2020
The new cancer drug Tukysa (tucatinib), when given in combination with Herceptin (trastuzumab) and capecitabine, dramatically improved outcomes for patients with HER2-positive advanced breast cancer that has spread to the brain, according to data presented by Nancy U. Lin, MD, Associate Chief, Division of Breast Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, at the 2020 ASCO annual meeting. Read More ›
ASCO 2020 Highlights — September 8, 2020
Metastatic breast cancer is cancer that has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body. Visceral metastases refer to cancer that has spread to the internal organs of the body, specifically those within the chest (such as the heart or lungs) or abdomen (such as the liver, pancreas, or intestines). Read More ›
August 2020 Vol 6 No 4 — August 19, 2020
Studies have shown that adolescent and young adult patients with cancer want to discuss with their doctors sexuality and reproductive health, yet topics such as contraception, body image, and fertility are rarely discussed. Read a doctor’s advice for starting this conversation.
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April 2020 Vol 6 No 2 — April 27, 2020
Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis is an overwhelming experience. This article provides answers to questions related to treatment options and finances. Being armed with knowledge can help you take control of your life. Read More ›
February 2020 Vol 6 No 1 — February 21, 2020
Many medications for multiple myeloma have been approved in recent years. That is great for patients, but it becomes even more important that doctors choose the best treatment for each patient. Read More ›
November 2019 Volume 6 – Lung Cancer — November 27, 2019
When first seen by a physician, 25% to 30% of patients with non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) already have locally advanced disease. Standard treatment for these patients has been platinum-based chemotherapy plus radiation (chemoradiation), which achieved a median progression-free survival (PFS) of approximately 8 months and a 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of 15% to 30%. Recent developments in immunotherapy have provided significant advances in the treatment of NSCLC. Read More ›
November 2019 Volume 6 – Lung Cancer — November 27, 2019
Patients with ALK-positive (ALK+) non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose cancer had spread to the brain responded well to the ALK inhibitor ceritinib, regardless of what prior cancer treatment they had received. This research was recently presented at the 2019 European Society for Medical Oncology Congress in Barcelona by Laura Chow, MD, from Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin. Read More ›
June 2018 – Cancer Immunotherapy — July 11, 2018
Cancer treatment costs, and the desire for normalcy and self-worth, are some of the reasons why patients with cancer wish to remain in the workforce. Read More ›
June 2018 Vol 4 No 3 — June 29, 2018
The American Cancer Society guidelines recommend that survivors engage in physical activity at least 150 minutes a week, and follow diets rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, limiting red and processed meats. Read More ›
May 2018 – Cancer Biomarkers and Molecular Testing — June 19, 2018
In recent years, new treatments for acute myeloid leukemia have improved outcomes. In 2017, 2 new drugs were approved for patients with this type of blood cancer linked to a specific biomarker. Read More ›
April 2018 Vol 4 No 2 — April 12, 2018
Musa Mayer, breast cancer survivor and advocate, was recently recognized for her 25 years of advocacy on behalf of patients with advanced breast cancer. Read Musa’s inspiring story. Read More ›
February 2017 Vol 3 No 1 — February 17, 2017
Many patients with cancer face a serious financial burden, and some are missing treatment or skipping treatment altogether because of the cost. Read More ›