According to this new study, “Being uninsured accounts for a significant proportion of racial and ethnic disparities in cancers that are only detected at a later, more life-threatening stage.” This expansive study, led by the American Cancer Society, used data from roughly 1.9 million patients diagnosed between 2013 and 2019. The findings were published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Data obtained from this study came from a tool developed by researchers at the Columbia School of Nursing. The tool was created to predict financial toxicity among patients with breast cancer. The results were apparently more surprising to doctors than to patients.

The results of this recent study show that only about one-third of childhood cancer survivors adhered to follow-up recommendations regarding late effects. This finding is indeed alarming but probably not surprising to many long-term survivors.

This article focuses on the emotional benefits of physical activity, particularly regarding depression – a common late effect of cancer survivorship. From the study: “Results showed statistically significant improvement in self-reported depression 1 month — and as long as 6 to 12 months — after completion of an aerobic physical activity intervention compared with usual care or no intervention.”

Unfortunately, many Hodgkin’s survivors have been diagnosed with breast cancer as a result of their earlier treatment. Arm symptoms, including pain, swelling, and limited movement, can be a nagging issue for these survivors, adding to what may be a long list of post-cancer ailments.

Patients, their families and medical teams can all agree that there are inherent risks when undergoing any type of heart valve surgery. That said, treatment options and approaches may change when a patient is considered “high-risk” due to complex cardiac conditions, health problems, advanced age and/or heart valve reoperations. To learn more about the therapeutic options and medical advances designed for patients considered “high-risk”, we sat down with two expert heart surgeons from the Cleveland Clinic.

For Hodgkin’s survivors who are facing open-heart surgery, concerns about how their radiated chests will heal are real and warranted. We know that mediastinal radiation, particularly older forms of radiation, can make healing difficult. However, there is another way to close the sternum that offers a faster recovery time and minimal pain. The technique is called Rigid Sternal Fixation.

This article dispels many myths that we have heard over the years. The author presents fact-based and anecdotal evidence that what we eat matters!

This article describes the results of recent study published in the JAMA Internal Medicine. It explores a fairly common side effect of some cancer treaments, “chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy,” or CIPN. More than just an annoying condition, CIPN can have a significant effect on the quality of life for survivors. The study presented here offers some exciting news about possible treatments for this condition.

Many women who are long-term Hodgkin’s survivors experience early menopause as a result of their radiation and chemotherapy treatments, especially if they received them at a young age. As we are already at risk for breast cancer due to the same treatments, it is important to be aware of any additional risk factors.