When my mother was first diagnosed
with lung cancer on August 15, 2002, I remember turning to
the Internet, the bookstore and the cancer center for information.
It was frustrating that the only information I could find
was either
old, vague or so medically in-depth that I struggled to understand
it. I told my mom there needed to be a magazine for people
to understand cancer. Then while waiting with her in the doctor’s
office a few weeks later, I came across the debut issue of CURE. It
was
exactly what was missing. Beyond being a good magazine, it’s
a great human service and I thank you.
Jennifer Borges
Fresno, Calif.
While I am not currently in treatment, one never lives without
a nagging fear that the disease will return. By receiving your
magazine I am able to see the progress being made in cancer
research and
treatment, which gives the feeling that I am not alone and this
disease will be beaten one day.
L. Blair
Dallas, Texas
I must tell you that CURE is the best resource for people looking
for answers, guidance and hope. I am a 15-year survivor of Hodgkin’s
disease, and I am amazed at the progress made in treating cancer in
just a short time. Whether it is a survivor story or a scientific
breakthrough, you are providing a wonderful resource. Though unable
to have children on my own, my wife and I adopted a beautiful little
girl and are on our way to adopting our second child.
Paul Edelman
Lansdale, Pa.
In reference to the article “Hodgkin’s Disease:
The Other Side,” in the Spring issue, I found the statement “Hodgkin’s
disease is very treatable and highly curable” to be disturbing
and somewhat irresponsible. There are 1,300 Hodgkin’s disease
deaths in this country each year, making that statement untrue
and making the public think this disease no longer requires research.
My daughter’s latest relapse was in January, and she has few
treatment options available. I am very happy for the majority
of Hodgkin’s disease patients who are cured, but there is
a long way to go until 100 percent of these patients are cured.
Alison
Humphries
Saratoga, Calif.
[Editor’s Note: While tremendous progress
has been made in treating and curing Hodgkin’s disease in
many patients, we in no way meant to imply that research should
not continue for
those who are not cured with currently available therapies.]
Relating to “A Disease on the Rise”: Thank you for the excellent article on esophageal cancer in
the Spring issue. It was wonderful to see a serious, in-depth
discussion
of this fourth leading cause of cancer death. You published my
previous letter six months ago asking for an article. Your
follow-up exceeded
my expectations. Please keep this killer in your headlights.
Too many primary care physicians seldom see a case of esophageal
cancer
and fail to adequately test patients with chronic GERD and other
symptoms. Congratulations on a great article.
Dennis P. Hawkins
Monmouth, Ill.
“He won’t say he’s cancer-free, but his last CT
scan six months ago was clear—and he hopes the next one will
be clear as well.” This is exactly how an esophageal cancer
patient lives. How prophetic. At my husband’s initial diagnosis,
his oncologist stated that esophageal cancer will be the fastest
rising
cancer of the next 25 years. More needs to be done to make
others aware that this disease is no longer attributable to abusive
diet,
obesity, alcoholism and age, as it was once thought to be.
My husband passed away from this cancer one year ago. He was 54.
He remained
cancer-free for four years when his cancer came back with
a vengeance. We did all we were supposed to do—major research
institution, surgery, radiation. This is a very wicked and devious
beast.
Your publication touched the tip of the iceberg. But icebergs
melt.
Mary Larsen
Hinsdale, Ill.
Integrative Care and “The Healing Journey"
Thank you for publishing “The Healing
Journey” in
the Spring issue and for your focus on integrative cancer
treatment. I feel it is important to add the following key points.
Integrative
medicine involves both a precise understanding of the favorable
synergies between treatments, and also requires an understanding
of potential problematic interactions between treatments.
In our
Integrative Cancer Center in Evanston, Illinois, we perform
detailed assessments of each patient—including biochemical
and molecular profiles, nutritional and physical status evaluations,
and quality
of life and well-being assessments—in order to create an
individualized treatment program for that particular patient
at that particular
time in their treatment. There is no single integrative program
that will be effective for everyone, and treatment programs
must be modified as the treatment progresses and as clinical
needs change.
The key is to interweave the best of Western medicine with
the most meaningful complementary treatments, customized
to each patient’s
individual needs. It is then that a comprehensive integrative
program will be able to produce the best outcome for the
patient. Thank
you again for bringing light to such an important topic.
Keith
I. Block, MD
Medical Director of the Block Center for Integrative
Cancer Care
Evanston, Ill.
In my work as a professional healthcare chaplain, I always
look forward to your publication. It provides significant
information that positively impacts cancer survivors and their
families.
Knowing what influences my patients impacts the spiritual
care
I provide.
Especially helpful is your exploration and endorsement of
complementary approaches to integrative medicine as portrayed
in Kathy LaTour’s
article “The Healing Journey.” The field of integrative
medicine is growing, and as it increasingly utilizes complementary
modalities for healing, it is important that we not overlook
the complementary and integrative approach to healing that
certified professional chaplains already provide in the healthcare
setting.
Board-certified chaplains are not only able to provide the
traditional spiritual care that many patients desire, such
as prayer
and anointing,
but many chaplains are also trained in such complementary
approaches as meditation, breathing and relaxation techniques,
etc. Though
a particular chaplain’s spiritual roots may differ, all certified
chaplains are trained to work in a multi-cultural and multi-faith
environment as an integrated member of the clinical healthcare
team. I hope in future articles on this topic, as well as
others, that
your writers recognize the value of the professionally trained
chaplain in the provision of healthcare today.
Mark LaRocca-Pitts,
PhD
Staff Chaplain
Athens Regional Medical Center
Athens, Ga.
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