Cancer 101

Cancer is scary. It becomes even more frightening when doctors use words like “metastatic,” “sarcoma” or “ifosfamide.” All you can think about is, ‘will I be ok?’ But what you need is a medical dictionary!

Cancer 101 a 4-part series, offers you insight into the world of cancer jargon from a panel of oncology professionals on topics including: Understanding a Cancer Diagnosis, Radiation Treatment, Chemotherapy Treatment and Coping as a Cancer Survivor. Dr. Andrew Lauve, one of the panel participants, explains, “Educational opportunities like this are extremely important. Doctors sometimes take for granted that others know all that we know. Lack of knowledge during a diagnosis or treatment is a huge struggle for many patients. It’s important for them to get as many resources as possible so they can absorb the information they need.”

After our first session “Understanding a Cancer Diagnosis” with Dr. Jay Brooks of Oschner Health Center, one participant commented that “Dr. Brooks did an excellent job of sharing information in a way that wasn’t intimidating or overly intellectual. It was a great introduction to an often scary subject.” Dr. Brooks joined Dr. William Russell of Baton Rouge General Pennington Cancer Center who spoke on Radiation Therapy, Dr. David Hanson and Judy Owens, PA, of Louisiana Hematology Oncology Associates who discussed Chemotherapy and its side effects and a panel of oncology professionals, Dr. Andrew Lauve of Baton Rouge General Pennington Cancer Center, Esther Sachse of Cancer Services, and Dr. Mary Katherine Rodrigue, Ph.D of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. They covered how cancer is staged, explained the side effects of treatments and offered suggestions on how to merge cancer survivor status with everyday life.

Esther Sachse, a licensed clinical social worker and Director of Support Programs at Cancer Services, commented “Newly diagnosed cancer survivors need access to accurate and in-depth information. They need every opportunity to have oncology professionals address their questions and concerns. We anticipate this program will grow and Cancer 101 will become an important resource for cancer survivors in the community.”

The next Cancer 101 series will be held in October. Call Esther at 225-927-2273 if you’d like more information about Cancer 101, our support groups or Make Today Count. In addition, due to a generous contribution by LPB, our first Cancer 101 series will soon be aired and available on DVD.

Cancer Services’ free library/ resource center is open to clients and anyone interested in cancer-related information. We also offer a host of educational programs such as Make Today Count speaker meetings, teleconferences and special education programs. Check out our website for more information or a schedule of educational programs or call 225-927-2273.

Dream Night at the Zoo 2011

For the 6^th year, Cancer Services took our children’s programs to Dream Night at the Zoo at BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo. Part of our National Cancer Survivor’s Day weekend celebration, we brought 43 families free of charge and the zoo’s wonderful staff made it possible for everyone to enjoy the animals and activities all to themselves. Highlights were feeding the giraffes, face painting and completing the zoo’s special scavenger hunt.

Our Children’s Programs consist of Candlelighters, children with cancer and their siblings, and KidsKare, children whose parent or guardian is living with cancer. For more information, call 225-927-2273, visit our website or check out our Facebook.



Sewing for Cancer?

The sewing and cooking camp at St. Joseph’s Academy fulfilled a little known need of clients at Cancer Services by sewing and donating over 30 “port pillows” for the agency to distribute. Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy can choose to have a port inserted into their chest to make receiving treatments easier. Though ports streamline their hospital visits they can become bothersome, especially while driving when a seatbelt aggravates it. These pretty little pillows the girls sewed from scraps can be worn under the seatbelt, hopefully making a life with cancer a bit more comfortable. THANKS GIRLS!

"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.