Radiation oncology

In just this year to come, more than 46,420 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Out of them, about 39,590 people will die from the disease – that’s 85%. While all types of cancer may be fatal, pancreatic cancer is ranked number 4 on the list of deadliest cancers ("Pancreatic Cancer Facts"). Whether the cancer was acquired genetically or due to a carcinogen (a substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue), it will go on to affect the cancer patient and everyone in…

Understanding of the subjective illness experience of bowel cancer (also known as colorectal cancer) is crucial in managing the illness and coping with patients (Johansson, Axelsson, Berndtsson& Brink, 2014). The subjective experience of illness is largely shaped by the social understanding of cancer, economic burdens and relationship between family members. It various among patients and their family members. My grandma was diagnosed with stage III (curable) bowel cancer 13 years ago at the age…

The Fault in Our Bodies Cancer sucks. It either takes people away or leaves only a walking skeleton in its wake. There was a time when we ignored serious sicknesses like cancer, but with modern advancements and deeper understanding, those times are slowly coming to a halt - if only cancer could too. Cancer is acknowledged on a larger scale because it’s more likely that everyone has been affected by cancer. Pop culture is reflecting this since individuals are now creating stories about cancer or…

Red Baseball hats and Empathy Empathy; a 7 letter word that has so much meaning. But it gets stretched to the limit in this novel. When a child gets diagnosed with childhood cancer, many people’s first reaction is “I feel so bad” and that right there is empathy. When someone needs love and empathy at the worst time, are you going to help? Well in “Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie”, by Jordan Sonnenblick, the main characters go through a major change in their life. The main character, Steven, has…

radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and radiation therapy shows promise for large lung cancers [5]. He describes a synergy in which one procedure compliments the second by improving efficiency. Radiation therapy is relatively ineffective during certain phases of the cell cycle. The synergy of RFA and radiation therapy is likely due to cells which are radiosensitized by thermal therapy. Cells remain radiosensitized for up to 24 hours, therefore the efficiency of radiation therapy is increased during…

In a study of breast cancer patients, Civan, McDonald, Unruh, and Pratt (2009) referred to patient expertise as the knowledge gained by managing and coping with disease, including practical everyday management, treatment decisions, side effects, social relationships, and daily responsibilities. Recognizing their need for information, breast cancer patients actively search for expertise from informal sources and personal networks of friends, family, other patients, or healthcare professionals…

She was diagnosed with breast cancer stage II in early 2011 and finished treatment in 2013. She had a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and hormonal treatment. Azizha has a strong family history with breast cancer since her young sister had breast cancer. Azizah is aware of the genetic association with breast cancer thus she worried about her daughters having breast cancer…

While medical use of marijuana is approved by over 23 states, there is just not enough research on its benefits. Karen Cicero, writer for Prevention says “Most of the research involves Marijuana or its individual psychoactive compounds administered in carefully measured doses.” Because so little research on Marijuana has been done “the FDA hasn’t removed it from its ‘schedule-one’ drug designation,” Cicero states, meaning that there is currently no medical use for it that is acceptable. NIDA…

fatigue, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, neuropathy, low blood counts, and one’s mental clarity is challenged. An additional option with cancer patients is radiation therapy a powerful radiation directed towards the cancerous cells aimed to destroy the cells; although side effects occur with radiation there are less side effects then chemotherapy, radiation leaves the patient fatigue with a loss of appetite however hair loss is experienced only if…

event changed my life forever. One thing about me that the situation did not change was the fact that I wanted to make a difference. The unfortunate part was that I did not even know where to start. I contemplated changing my major to go into human oncology, but my passion for animals was too strong to leave my major. At that time, I decided to stick with exotic animals and try for an internship with the Walt Disney Company. My position, though not working with animals, was at Disney’s Animal…