HWN Suggests

As an oncologist I trade in bad news of the worst kind, but giving it is still stressful

Shortly before I turn into the hospital, I pass a pizza shop with its huge, unmistakable letters selling the enduring appeal of a generous slice of pizza to fix all kinds of wrongs. The store is always closed at that hour, so I have never been inside, but it’s become a kind of constant in my life because it’s my cue to start thinking about the day ahead.

As I pass the pizza shop, I start thinking about the day’s list of patients – the newly diagnosed and those months or years into treatment, some coping well, many facing difficulties, if not of the body then the mind. Some patients take just minutes, thankful for good news and reluctant to question it too closely. Others take…

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Some oncologists choose not to mention immunotherapy to dying patients, arguing that scientists first must gather rigorous evidence about the benefits and pitfalls, and that treating patients experimentally outside a clinical trial is perilous business. But others, like Dr. Sartor, are offering the drugs to some terminal patients as a roll of the dice. If the patient is dying and there’s a remote chance the drug will help, then why not?

15 Things Cancer Doctors Do to Avoid Cancer

These experts definitely practice what they preach. Here’s how you can make these simple changes to prevent cancer too.

A Triumph in the War Against Cancer

Oncologist Brian Druker developed a new treatment for a deadly cancer, leading to a breakthrough that has transformed medicine.

Artificial intelligence and cancer

“I didn’t have a lot of hope at the time,” she said. “If you don’t have those mutations, you’re lucky to live a year. My oncologist sent in my test, started me on a second line of chemo, which was really awful, then three weeks later said, ‘You’re not going to believe this. You’re ALK positive.’ It was like winning the lung cancer lottery. There are so many other things available. It was a total life-changer.”

How Common Is It For Oncologists To Encounter Patients Who Want To Go The 'Natural' Treatment Route?

Patients refusing potentially curative treatments happen uncomfortably often. It’s understandable for elderly patients who simply don’t want to go through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. It’s most difficult when it’s a young mother and she’s putting herself into a high risk position by refusing treatment.

Oncologists dare to talk of a ‘cure’ in fight against cancer

For George Coukos, one of the world’s foremost experts in immunotherapy, this is “an extraordinary moment in human history” when the word “cure” can be seriously used in relation to cancer, our most feared global killer.

Should Oncologists Recommend Cannabis?

A RECENT survey of 400 clinical oncologists found that 80% discuss the use of medical cannabis with their patients, and although nearly 50% recommend it, fewer than 30% consider themselves knowledgeable enough to make such recommendations.1 Oncologists are perhaps among the most evidence-demanding of all medical specialists, as we deal with a serious illness and use medications with significant potential for adverse effects. We prefer to make recommendations supported by published literature. Due to the essential prohibition against conducting clinical trials demonstrating the potential therapeutic effects of botanical cannabis, such data are largely unavailable.

Some Cancer Experts See 'Overdiagnosis,' Question Emphasis on Early Detection

Debate among doctors looks at whether zealous screening leads to overtreatment

Vinay Prasad, oncologist and Twitter star, locked in debate over precision medicine

In recent years, Vinay Prasad, a young hematologist–oncologist at Oregon Health and Science University, has emerged as a premier critic of new directions in cancer medicine.

What to Do About Long-term Follow-up Care Among Cancer Survivors

As new cancer therapies have prolonged life, an interesting question has arisen among community oncologists: “Is it better to transfer long-term cancer survivors to general practitioners or develop clinics for long-term survivors within cancer centers?”

When Cancer Patients Ask About Weed, Many Doctors Say Go For It

Despite their shaky knowledge of the drug, nearly half of all oncologists do recommend medical cannabis to their patients, according to the study, which was published Thursday in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

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Oncology Learning Network® is an online resource for the latest developments in oncology practice, providing a customized experience for readers to stay informed about the topics that matter most to them. Through clinical insights, peer-reviewed journal articles, interactive features, research news updates, accredited continuing educational programs, and professional live meetings and events, Oncology Learning Network serves as a collaborative learning and networking environment for a multidisciplinary community of oncology medical professionals.

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Independent news for the oncologist and the hematologist/oncologist.

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The independent Hem/Onc news source.

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As the arbiter of high-quality cancer care, NCCN promotes the importance of continuous quality improvement and recognizes the significance of creating clinical practice guidelines appropriate for use by patients, clinicians, and other health care decision-makers.

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