"Shave to Save" for Camp Care

When Madison Scullin, a student at Baton Rouge High School, decided to shave her head she not only raised eyebrows, she also raised over $500 for Cancer Services’ Camp Care Program. Her donation, just in time for summer, will provide much needed transportation for the children while at camp.

Years ago when her mother was being treated for cancer, Madison attended Camp Care as part of our KidsKare program, which supports children whose parent or guardian is living with cancer. This year after a friend sparked her memory of what the program meant to her, Madison approached Cancer Services with the idea and before long she was shaving her head at school while family and classmates looked on in amazement.

Camp Care is a week-long summer day camp for children who have cancer and their siblings. The camp provides a safe and supportive environment where kids can laugh, play and forget about cancer for a little while. This year's 16th annual Camp Care will host over 50 children. For more information about Camp Care, visit our website or call 225-927-2273.

Q&A: Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Q: Someone told me I should think about complementary and alternative medicine during my cancer treatment. What does that mean?

A: According to the National Library of Medicine “Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is the term for medical products and practices that are not part of standard care.” Standard care is defined as treatments prescribed by medical doctors, registered nurses, physical therapists and other allied health professionals. However, the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine states that “the boundaries between CAM and conventional medicine are not absolute, and specific CAM practices may, over time, become widely accepted.” If a patient is receiving non-standard care in addition to standard care then they are receiving complementary treatment. If they are receiving non-standard care instead of standard care they are receiving alternative medicine.

There are three broad categories of CAM into which most therapies fall. Natural products can include vitamins, supplements and probiotics. Mind body medicine includes meditation, reiki, yoga and acupuncture. Manipulative and Body-Based Practices includes chiropractic therapy and massage therapy.

There are several reasons that people with cancer use CAM:

• Help cope with the side effects of cancer treatments, such as nausea, pain, and fatigue;
• Comfort themselves and ease the worries of cancer treatment and related stress;
• Feel that they are doing something more to help with their own care;
• Try to treat or cure their cancer.

It is important to talk with your standard care doctor before beginning CAM. Many patients worry about that their doctor will not approve, but many MD’s have become familiar with CAM and some might even prescribe certain therapies for their patients such as probiotics, yoga or chiropractic care. It is also important because not all CAM therapies have been proven to be safe, and even safe therapies can interfere with standard treatment. For example, some something as mundane as a vitamin or a certain fruit could cause a reaction with a cancer medication or make it less effective. It is also important to make sure you pick your CAM practitioners with care. Ask for referrals from other members of your healthcare team or look for CAM professional organizations.

For more information contact Courtney Britton, librarian at Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge at (225) 927-2273, cbritton@cancerservices.org , or visit the Resource Center at 550 Lobdell Avenue.

Cancer Services Library & Resource Center

Q&A: Skin Cancer Awareness Month

Q: May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. What should I know about decreasing my risk for skin cancer?

A: Regardless of age, skin type, sex, or race, anyone can get skin cancer; however, some people have an increased risk of developing skin cancer.

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the following are risk factors for skin cancer:

• exposure to UV radiation (sun, sunlamps, tanning beds, tanning booths)
• skin scars and burns
• certain infections like HPV
• exposure to arsenic
• chronic skin inflammations or skin ulcers
• certain diseases that make the skin sensitive to the sun (i.e. albinism)
• radiation therapy
• a suppressed immune system (caused by medications or medical conditions)
• family history of skin cancer
• actinic keratosis
• Bowen’s disease

Protecting yourself from the sun’s UV rays is important year around, especially in the southern United States. To safeguard your skin, you should take proper precautions daily, regardless of whether or not you plan on being outside. You can be exposed to dangerous UV rays even when doing something as simple as driving a car.

The National Cancer Institute suggests the following sun protection tips:

• It is best to avoid the midday sun (from mid-morning to late afternoon) whenever possible.
• You also should protect yourself from UV radiation reflected by sand, water, snow, and ice.
• UV radiation can penetrate light clothing, windshields, and windows. Wear protective clothing.
• Use sunscreen. Sunscreen may help prevent skin cancer, especially sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. However, sunscreens cannot provide the same protection as avoiding the sun and wearing clothing to protect the skin.
• Stay away from sunlamps and tanning beds.

For more sun safety tips visit the websites below or contact Courtney Britton, librarian at Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge at (225) 927-2273, cbritton@cancerservices.org , or visit the Resource Center at 550 Lobdell Avenue.