By Melissa Weber

You’d know her voice anywhere. Fran Drescher‚ well known for her nasally role as The Nanny‚ has written a book about surviving uterine cancer called Cancer Schmancer. “The world doesn’t stop revolving because you have cancer‚” she says. “It’s just your world that stops.”

Dedicated cancer spokesperson Robert Urich‚ star of Vega$‚ Spenser: For Hire and many other TV series and made–for–television movies‚ died April 16 at the age of 55 after battling cancer for six years. His accomplishments include establishing the Urich Fund for Sarcoma Research at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center and sponsoring a golf classic fundraiser last year. He recently won $125‚000 on Who Wants to be a Millionaire?‚ which he donated to the University of Michigan’s cancer center.

The American Association for Cancer Research presented former President George Bush with its Public Service Award in recognition of his strong support of the National Cancer Program during his presidential term and his continued interest in cancer research.

Camp Mak–A–Dream‚ located on 87 acres outside Missoula‚ Montana‚ holds summer camps for children‚ adolescents‚ and young adults (18–25) who have cancer. The eight-day camps are free and operated by licensed professionals. Camp Mak–a–Dream also hosts retreats for adult cancer survivors. To learn more about each camp‚ call 406–549–5987 or go to www.campdream.org.

Cancer Care is hosting a number of free teleconferences where patients‚ families and caregivers can hear the latest information from professors‚ physicians‚ social workers‚ and others about a number of cancer–related issues. Some of the teleconferences coming up in July and August include: Coping With the Lingering Side Effects and Impact of Cancer Treatments‚ Coping With Fatigue and Treatment Side Effects‚ and Support for Family Caregivers: Coping Strategies. For more information‚ call Cancer Care at 800-813-4673 or register online at www.cancercare.org.

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has awarded five $10‚000 college scholarships to students whose parent died of breast cancer. The awards‚ given for the first time this year‚ will be given annually and will provide a four–year education at a state school. The 2002 recipients were selected from 60 applicants recommended by Komen affiliates across the country. This year’s recipients are from Virginia‚ Vermont‚ Tennessee‚ Texas‚ and Illinois.

Cycling champion Lance Armstrong‚ who won the Tour de France after being diagnosed with testicular cancer‚ has been appointed to serve on the President’s Cancer Council. Armstrong has used his celebrity to help raise money for cancer research and survivors. He recently announced he would seek a fourth Tour de France championship.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has four new publications for cancer survivors‚ family members‚ and medical professionals designed to educate and empower cancer survivors as they face the challenges associated with life after cancer treatment. You can order these publications by calling 800–4–CANCER or visit www.cancer.gov/publications.

“The significant budget increases over the past several years have allowed the NCI to continue on an aggressive path of discovery in cancer research‚” he said. “This path is aimed at the development of interventions that will continue to reduce the suffering and death caused by cancer.”

The American Institute for Cancer Research has concluded that 30–40% of cancer cases are linked to eating and exercising. Researchers say environmental and genetic factors play a small role in cancer risk when compared to lifestyle choices.