Preamble:
Part I - Overview of the Cancer Industry:
a. Historical perspective on cancer industry (Eastern vs. Western Medicine)
b. Different approaches to treating cancer globally with emphasis on U.S. vs. European, particularly German Oncology, practices and paradigms.
c. Variation in treatment practices within the U.S.
d. Current trends in the cancer industry in diagnosis (chemo drug testing and molecular mutation testing) and treatment ( biological therapies, targeted therapies, vaccine therapies, etc.)
e. Integrative vs. Standard Conventional cancer treatment approach.
f. Importance of holistic approach to cancer treatment success (mind/body/nutritional)
b. Different approaches to treating cancer globally with emphasis on U.S. vs. European, particularly German Oncology, practices and paradigms.
c. Variation in treatment practices within the U.S.
d. Current trends in the cancer industry in diagnosis (chemo drug testing and molecular mutation testing) and treatment ( biological therapies, targeted therapies, vaccine therapies, etc.)
e. Integrative vs. Standard Conventional cancer treatment approach.
f. Importance of holistic approach to cancer treatment success (mind/body/nutritional)
Part II - Dealing with the initial diagnosis of cancer:
a. The diagnosis (making sure to get info on the specific type and staging of the cancer.....there are 30 types of ovarian cancer).
b. The importance of a second opinion.
c. Surgical vs. needle biopsy
d. The importance of "sentinel node" procedure in determining lymph node involvement as part of cancer staging.
e. A critical test if chemotherapy is a treatment option - chemosensitivity testing (must preserve live cancer tissue at time of surgery).
f. The importance of clear margins (preferably wide) if surgery option is used (get a copy of the pathology report).
g. The importance of using one of the Cancer Consulting services.
h. Checking on limitations or advanced approvals required from health insurance provider.
i. The importance of keeping a detailed medical log of dates of all doctors visits and exact procedures performed, including test results.
j. The need for another relative or friend to attend all consultations (i.e. will give another set of ears on what is said and someone to
discuss therapy options with)
k. The importance of obtaining baseline readings on critical tests so that treatment options can be measured to determine if their effective.
b. The importance of a second opinion.
c. Surgical vs. needle biopsy
d. The importance of "sentinel node" procedure in determining lymph node involvement as part of cancer staging.
e. A critical test if chemotherapy is a treatment option - chemosensitivity testing (must preserve live cancer tissue at time of surgery).
f. The importance of clear margins (preferably wide) if surgery option is used (get a copy of the pathology report).
g. The importance of using one of the Cancer Consulting services.
h. Checking on limitations or advanced approvals required from health insurance provider.
i. The importance of keeping a detailed medical log of dates of all doctors visits and exact procedures performed, including test results.
j. The need for another relative or friend to attend all consultations (i.e. will give another set of ears on what is said and someone to
discuss therapy options with)
k. The importance of obtaining baseline readings on critical tests so that treatment options can be measured to determine if their effective.
Part III - Making Critical Decisions on Cancer Therapy Options:
a. If chemo is being considered, it's critical to have the chemosensitivity testing results or possibly MD Anderson recommendation for gene mutation analysis being performed.
b. Understanding the importance of building up and protecting the immune system prior to and during cancer treatment.
c. Understanding how cancer cells work (abnormal growth pattern, how they communicate, how they build up defenses against immune system, etc.)
d. Getting a Physicians Data Query (PDQ) for your type of cancer which discusses therapy options by stage based on clinical trial data.
e. Knowing your odds of survival and typical progression timeline.
f. Determining measures of success versus failure for various therapy options (i.e. living with cancer in remission vs. cure).
g. Becoming informed on measures that will mitigate side effects of therapy option chosen.
h. If late stage cancer diagnosis, a review of clinical trials available. Understanding the different types of clinical trials and the pros and cons of each. The importance in many clinical trials of no previous therapy options used.
b. Understanding the importance of building up and protecting the immune system prior to and during cancer treatment.
c. Understanding how cancer cells work (abnormal growth pattern, how they communicate, how they build up defenses against immune system, etc.)
d. Getting a Physicians Data Query (PDQ) for your type of cancer which discusses therapy options by stage based on clinical trial data.
e. Knowing your odds of survival and typical progression timeline.
f. Determining measures of success versus failure for various therapy options (i.e. living with cancer in remission vs. cure).
g. Becoming informed on measures that will mitigate side effects of therapy option chosen.
h. If late stage cancer diagnosis, a review of clinical trials available. Understanding the different types of clinical trials and the pros and cons of each. The importance in many clinical trials of no previous therapy options used.
Part IV - Importance of Nutritional and Supplements in Cancer Therapy:
a. Resources for cancer nutritional programs.
b. Medical centers that place a greater emphasis on nutrutional programs.
c. Specific nutritional guidelines for cancer patients.
d. The Kushi macrobiotic diet.
e. Herbal or natural compounds for fighting cancer.
b. Medical centers that place a greater emphasis on nutrutional programs.
c. Specific nutritional guidelines for cancer patients.
d. The Kushi macrobiotic diet.
e. Herbal or natural compounds for fighting cancer.
Part V - Resources for Researching Cancer Therapy Options:
a. ACOR.org (Listserves by cancer type - a forum for cancer patients to discuss experience with different therapy options and medical centers)
b. National Institute of Health (NIH)
c. National Cancer Institute
d. Life Extension Foundation (lef.org)
e. OncoLink (University of Pennsylvania)
f. Other Cancer websites
g. Cancer Related Books
b. National Institute of Health (NIH)
c. National Cancer Institute
d. Life Extension Foundation (lef.org)
e. OncoLink (University of Pennsylvania)
f. Other Cancer websites
g. Cancer Related Books
Part VI - Cancer Medical Terms:
Part VII - Common Characteristics of Cancer Survivors:
a. Avoid malnutrition and adopt cancer specific nutritional program
b. Reduce toxicity of medical treatment
c. Stimulate the immune system
b. Reduce toxicity of medical treatment
c. Stimulate the immune system
Part VIII - Self-help Approaches to Enhance Effectiveness of Cancer Treatment:
a. Avoid malnutrition and adopt cancer specific nutritional program
b. Reduce toxicity of medical treatment
c. Stimulate the immune system
d. Selectively starve the cancer
e. Provide supplements to assist the body’s healing process
f. Mental reinforcement
g. Avoid stress
h. Utilize support systems
i. Strengthing spirtual life
b. Reduce toxicity of medical treatment
c. Stimulate the immune system
d. Selectively starve the cancer
e. Provide supplements to assist the body’s healing process
f. Mental reinforcement
g. Avoid stress
h. Utilize support systems
i. Strengthing spirtual life
Part IX - Testimonials of Cancer survivors:
a. Cancer survivor stories
b. Testimonials of cancer patients
c. Cancer patient stories
d. Other links to cancer survivor stories
b. Testimonials of cancer patients
c. Cancer patient stories
d. Other links to cancer survivor stories