Category: cancer
Men, Cancer, and Culture: How Our Culture Can Help Men Lower Their Cancer Risk

In the United States, June is a time when we pause and celebrate men by observing Father’s Day and Men’s Health Week and Month. During June, we also celebrate cultural observances like Native American Day, National Caribbean-American Heritage Month, Immigrant Heritage Month, and Juneteenth—a new federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Because cancer affects men differently based on their race and ethnicity, each of June’s cultural observances offers creative opportunities for us to learn how our cultures affect our experiences with cancer. Read More >
Posted on by Leave a commentThe Cost of Cancer

A cancer diagnosis can affect life in many ways, both for people with cancer and for their families. In addition to the many physical and emotional challenges, many people worry about how they will pay for treatment or what will happen if they aren’t able to work or need to change how they work. Recognizing these costs for individuals and for our society is an important part of understanding the true burden of cancer. Read More >
Posted on by 1 CommentPediatric Cancer Can’t Stop This STAR Athlete

When Tyler was 13, she found a lump under her right arm. The first test found that it was benign (not cancer). Tyler had surgery to take the lump off. Later, a different test found that the lump was a kind of cancer called a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST), specifically a malignant triton tumor. MPNST forms in the cells around nerves. A malignant triton tumor is a fast-growing tumor named after the triton salamander’s ability to regrow lost legs. Read More >
Posted on by 1 CommentProtect Yourself and Others: Get the Flu Shot

Now more than ever, I feel even stronger about getting the flu shot, especially for people who have cancer now or have finished their treatment. People with cancer or cancer survivors may have a weak immune system due to their cancer or treatment. Being vaccinated for the flu is important for them because of their higher risk of having serious medical problems if they do get the flu (e.g., pneumonia). Read More >
Posted on by Leave a commentClean Hands: A Key Part of Preventing Infections

Handwashing is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself from getting sick. Getting an infection can be especially dangerous if you are a cancer patient getting chemotherapy treatment because you may not be able to fight off infections as well as you could before starting chemotherapy. Read More >
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