The Republican presidential candidates will convene in Orlando, Florida on Thursday, September 22nd at 9:00 p.m. EST to participate in the FOX News/Google Debate. The two companies have invited members of the public to submit questions for the chance to have them asked live during the political forum.
The Mars Society is calling on its members and friends to submit questions with a Mars-related theme for the GOP presidential debate. For example, “"Will your administration ensure the U.S. resumes a destination driven space program which results in sending Americans to Mars?"
Please take advantage of this opportunity to submit your questions in video or text form at www.youtube.com/foxnews and vote on others that you would like to hear asked live of the candidates. Those submitting questions must have a current YouTube account. www.marsnews.com
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Women could significantly reduce their risk of developing breast cancer if they lead a healthier lifestyle, the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) has said. Ireland currently has the seventh highest breast cancer rate in the world. Every year, some 2000 ..
Excerpt from:
Daily News 24 | Lifestyle has 'key role' in breast cancer – Irish Healthbreast-cancer-treatments.net
(Society for General Microbiology) A bacterial strain that specifically targets tumours could soon be used as a vehicle to deliver drugs in frontline cancer therapy. The strain is expected to be tested in cancer patients in 2013 says a scientist at the Society for General Microbiology's Autumn Conference at the University of York. www.eurekalert.org
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Remember to ask your oncologist about Chemo Brain.
Have you ever heard of “Chemo-Brain?” Lots of people who know cancer know what we’re talking about! The American Cancer Society describes this as “mental cloudiness” experienced by some cancer patients before, during and even after chemotherapy treatment for a variety of cancers. While researchers cannot pinpoint an exact cause for Chemo Brain, new studies have been able to make a pretty solid connection between chemo and radiation treatments and memory loss.
While a cancer patient’s memory loss is typically temporary, it is still unsettling for the patient, who has plenty of other emotional and mental issues to deal with. Patients who know cancer describe the following symptoms of Chemo Brain:
“Memory lapses,” when they are unable to remember something they typically have no problem remembering
Difficulty concentrating or “spacing out”
Problems remembering dates, people’s names, and other significant items
Trouble multi-tasking – for example, a patient with Chemo Brain may be unable to send an email and talk on the telephone simulataneously
Problems forming and finishing sentences or recalling common words
Doctors say that Chemo Brain is a very mild form of cognitive impairment, and for more cancer patients, their memory loss goes away fairly quickly – usually not long after their chemo or radiation treatment ends. However, no matter how long a patient experiences Chemo Brain for, it is still scary and unnerving for some people who know cancer. Some patients are so worried about their memory loss that they withhold the problem from their oncologist and other members of their cancer management team.
Doctors think that there may be a number of causes related to Chemo Brain, including the following:
Patient age
Sleep issues suffered during a patient’s course of treatment
Stress and depression
Hormonal changes
Chemotherapy and radiation treatments
Anti-pain and anti-nausea medications
Low blood count
But, Chemo Brain is difficult to study, and cancer researchers have yet to figure out a way to avoid the condition completely. Previously, a lapse in memory was only attributed to chemo treatments. A new study, however, conducted in Miami, Florida by Dr. Pascal Jean-Pierre, reports that patients who undergo radiation and other hormone therapies also experience the Chemo Brain phenomenon.
“The findings show that memory impairment in cancer patients is a national problem that we must pay special attention to,” Dr. Jean-Pierre told MedPage Today. Dr. Jean-Pierre reported the findings of his study at the American Association for Cancer Research Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities.
Information collected in a national survey was used in the study. Patients who had a history of cancer treatment, including chemo and radiation, were at a higher risk of experiencing memory impairment. Dr. Olveen Carrasquillo, Chief of General Medicine at the University of Miami, is not surprised by this.
“We are giving people a lot of very toxic drugs, so it’s not surprising that some people could develop some neurological problems,” Dr. Carrasquillo stated.
Dr. Jean-Pierre believes his study solidifies the need for more Chemo Brain research. “Cancer is..a key independent predictor of memory problems,” he said. “These memory issues can be related to treatment or to the tumor biology itself, which could change brain chemistry and neurobehavioral function.”
Because there’s no cure for Chemo Brain, Dr. Jean-Pierre believes that it is up to a patient’s physician to find ways to address the issue of memory lapse.
“One of the most important parts of cancer treatment is management of symptoms,” he asserts. So, what can be done to help people who know cancer and are suffering from Chemo Brain?
The American Cancer Society has a number of ideas, but here are some of our favorite suggestions:
Use a daily planner: cancer sufferers dealing with Chemo Brain may benefit from being able to reference a planner or calendar that lists important information, events and appointments in one organized location
Keeping a journal: people in general are less likely to forget something if they make a habit of writing things down, right? A patient experiencing Chemo Brain might want to keep a small notebook with them at all times, where they can write down names, telephone numbers, ideas, questions for their doctor, or even the name of a movie or book that they are interested in
Focus on one thing at a time: patients with Chemo Brain should work on finishing on task at a time, rather than trying to multi-task, which can result in frustration and unnecessary stress
Get some “mental exercise”: patients who have some memory loss issues may consider picking up a mentally-stimulating activity, such as a crossword or Sudoku puzzle, and doing it daily
Ask for help: a patient suffering from Chemo Brain should be encouraged to ask for help when they need it – for example, telling your nurse “You know, I’m having some trouble remembering things lately, so if you can remind me when I have to…” is a simple way to get support from your cancer treatment team
For more information about Chemo Brain, we suggest visiting the American Cancer Society’s Chemo Brain information webpage.
Sources:
American Cancer Society
American Association for Cancer Research
MedPage Todaywww.doyouknowcancerblog.com
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