News - Part 6

Lifting the Taboo on Colon Cancer

Every person’s story and experience with cancer is unique. Yet they all share a common quality. The details of the diagnosis and treatment may vary but they all have the inspiring characteristic of a transformative effect on the survivor’s life. Fashion designer Carmen Marc Valvo shares his journey of being diagnosed with colon cancer, where…

A Cancer Survivor Shares: Kim’s Story

March 14, 1992 – at the ripe old age of 35, I was marrying the love of my life. Three years later I was on the surgery room table having a malignant tumor removed. Not exactly what a girl’s expectations are for celebrating an anniversary. My ‘cancer walk’ began on Thursday March 9 when I…

Don’t Bet Against Ray Johnston

Ray Johnston made the NBA, beat leukemia and formed a rock group, The Ray Johnston Band.  Curing cancer and getting a date with Jennifer Aniston are next on his list. Don’t bet against him. He’s a modern Odysseus whose talents and determination have taken him from an undrafted signee with the Dallas Mavericks to lying…

Living Through – A Spiritual Guide Through Cancer

I suppose I have recited Psalm 23 publicly at religious services more times than I can count, but in the private times of trial and tribulation, when I needed the comfort of the Holy One, I have turned to it as well. Allow me a preface, and then I will return to the Psalm itself.For…

Self Care – Everyone Needs It!

Dealing with a major illness can be traumatic on all levels—physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Similarly, recovery from illness also needs to happen on all levels. Self-care refers to simple practices that nurture the mind, body and spirit. As part of a healthy lifestyle, self-care practices can help boost resilience or one’s ability to “bounce…

Meditation For Cancer Survivors: Getting Started

Editor’s Note: For the first time, researchers have shown that practicing mindfulness meditation has a positive physical impact at the cellular level in breast cancer survivors. For many years, oncologists have known that alternative or integrative therapies likes meditation bolster the emotional well-being of cancer survivors. ABC News anchor Dan Harris, a leading and studied…

Journals

Annals of Oncology Blood Journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention Cancer Prevention Research Cancer Research Clinical Cancer Research Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing Community Oncology JAMA Journal of Clinical Oncology Journal of Hematology & Oncology Journal of the National Cancer Institute Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Molecular Cancer Research Molecular Cancer Therapeutics New England Journal of…

A Cancer Survivor Shares: Chandler’s Story

I had just turned 15, it was the end of my freshman year of high school and I was enjoying being the shortstop for my softball team, when I began to get tired easily. My coach, mom and others were telling me to hustle and give 110%; they didn’t know I was really doing my…

Mindfulness Meditation: Finding Peace and Ease While Living with Cancer

Cancer survivors and caregivers have many common concerns and challenges.  In my classes, most people say that cancer has shown them that life is precious and that they are in the fight of their lives’.  This struggle to survive is often fraught with stress and anxiety.  In addition to the effects of treatment, there can…

Oh, My Lord! You Won’t Believe This One!

In Reverend Susan Sparks’ book, “Laugh Your Way to Grace,” a single phrase sums the unique perspective of a lawyer, minister, standup comedian cancer survivor: “…alone with what were soon to be my two constant companions: cancer and sarcasm.” After facing a breast cancer diagnosis five years ago, Susan Sparks found herself using humor to…