Dr Eibl Speaks on Western Diet-Induced Pancreatic Cancer

Uploaded to You Tube by HirshbergFoundation on Apr 25, 2011

Using a high fat, high calorie diet and the conditional Kras mouse model of pancreatic carcinogenesis, which recapitulates many features of the human disease, several investigators at UCLA and the VA put together a Program Project Grant investigating the tumor promoting effects of a Western-style Diet on pancreatic cancer development. It is necessary to explore the impact of the high fat, high calorie diet on inflammatory processes, signal transduction pathways, cell death mechanisms, and tumor-host interaction.

Pancreatic Cancer Patient Story of Success: Theresa Holland

Uploaded to You Tube by EmoryHealthSource on Feb 23, 2011

Theresa Holland was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer on her 37th birthday. The diagnosis was devastating. The only hope for a cure was a complex surgery called the Whipple Procedure. Unfortunately, Theresa could not locate a surgeon willing to take her case until she found Juan Sarmiento, M.D. at Emory Healthcare.

U.S. News Best Hospitals: Cancer

Top-Ranked Hospitals for Cancer

Nearly 900 hospitals are listed in Cancer. All are experienced in treating difficult cases—a hospital is listed only if at least 270 inpatients who needed a high level of expertise in this specialty were treated there in 2006, 2007, and 2008, or if surveyed specialists recommended the hospital for such patients. The top 50 hospitals are ranked by score. Those below the top 50 are listed alphabetically. (Best Hospitals Rankings Methodology)

http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/cancer

University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Houston, TX

#1 in Cancer

Nationally Ranked in 7 specialties

High-performing in 5 specialties

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

New York, NY

#2 in Cancer

Nationally Ranked in 6 specialties

High-performing in 4 specialties

Mayo Clinic

Rochester, MN

#3 in Cancer

Nationally Ranked in 26 specialties

Johns Hopkins Hospital

Baltimore, MD

#4 in Cancer

Nationally Ranked in 26 specialties

University of Washington Medical Center

Seattle, WA

#5 in Cancer

Nationally Ranked in 13 specialties

High-performing in 2 specialties

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Boston, MA

#6 in Cancer

Nationally Ranked in 1 specialty

High-performing in 1 specialty

Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, MA

#7 in Cancer

Nationally Ranked in 22 specialties

University of California, San Francisco Medical Center

San Francisco, CA

#8 in Cancer

Nationally Ranked in 23 specialties

High-performing in 1 specialty

Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland, OH

#9 in Cancer

Nationally Ranked in 25 specialties

High-performing in 1 specialty

Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center

Los Angeles, CA

#10 in Cancer

Nationally Ranked in 24 specialties

Stanford Hospital and Clinics

Palo Alto, CA

#11 in Cancer

Nationally Ranked in 12 specialties

High-performing in 3 specialties

Duke University Medical Center

Durham, NC

#12 in Cancer

Nationally Ranked in 25 specialties

University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers

Ann Arbor, MI

#13 in Cancer

Nationally Ranked in 26 specialties

Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA

#14 in Cancer

Nationally Ranked in 15 specialties

High-performing in 1 specialty

University of Chicago Medical Center

Chicago, IL

#15 in Cancer

Nationally Ranked in 20 specialties

High-performing in 3 specialties                    

New Innovations in Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

Uploaded to You Tube by MassGeneralHospital on Feb 7, 2011

Pancreatic cancer patients at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center benefit from the innovative work of The Andrew L. Warshaw Institute for Pancreatic Cancer Research which includes a community of scientists, oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists and interventional endoscopists whose mission is to extend and improve the lives of patients with pancreatic cancer. More information visit: http://www.massgeneral.org/warshawinstitute/

LA Marathon 2011 run for pancreatic cancer

The Hirshberg Training Team is the walk/run training team for The Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research. The primary purpose of the training program is to raise funds for pancreatic cancer research and assist our participants in achieving their training and fundraising goals. Our mission is to provide a safe, enjoyable and rewarding experience for all our participants. Join us by visiting our website www.hirshbergtrainingteam.com

Pancreatic Cancer Overview from MD Anderson Cancer Center

Pancreas cancer, also called pancreatic cancer, occurs when cancer cells form in the tissues of the pancreas. About 32,000 new cases of pancreatic cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States. Pancreatic cancer represents only 2 percent of all cancer cases, but it is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States, ranking behind lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer. For people whose cancer has not spread, the five-year survival rate is 16 percent. For all patients combined, the one-year survival rate is 24 percent and the five-year rate is about 5 percent.

The main reason for the low survival rate from pancreatic cancer is that it is difficult to detect in its earliest stages. By the time a person has symptoms, the cancer has often reached a large size and spread to other organs. Because the pancreas is deep inside the body, a doctor cannot see or feel tumors during a routine physical exam.

The pancreas has two different functions: It makes enzymes that go to the small intestine to help digest food, and it makes hormones, such as insulin, that are secreted into the bloodstream. Almost all pancreatic cancers start in the cells that line the ducts of the pancreas and are called adenocarcinomas. The ducts of the pancreas allow the flow of enzymes through the pancreas and into the small intestine. Tumors that arise from the hormone-producing cells are much less common.

Surgery, radiation treatment, and chemotherapy are treatment options for pancreatic cancer. Depending on how far the cancer has spread, two or even all of these treatments could be combined. Patients should also consider clinical trials with new treatments as they may offer improved survival. (In a clinical trial, patients voluntarily receive drugs or procedures that already have been researched in successful laboratory or animal studies to find a better way to prevent, diagnose or treat a disease.) Patients should talk to their doctors to learn more about their clinical trial options.
This guide has more on:

• Need-to-know anatomy
• Causes
• Risk factors
• Links

Need-to-Know Anatomy

The pancreas is a 6-inch-long organ located deep within the upper abdomen, surrounded by the stomach, small intestine, liver, and spleen. It is shaped something like a fish, with a head, a midsection called the body, and the tail at the narrow end.
The pancreas helps the body digest food and regulate blood sugar with the help of two kinds of cells: exocrine cells and endocrine cells.

• The exocrine cells of the pancreas make enzymes that aid in digestion. As food enters the stomach, these enzymes leave the pancreas, flowing through the pancreatic duct and into the small intestine, where they help digest fats and proteins.

• A smaller number of cells in the pancreas are endocrine cells. These cells are nestled among the exocrine cells in clusters called islets. They make hormones, such as insulin, that are secreted into the bloodstream and help balance the amount of sugar in the blood.

Both the exocrine and endocrine cells of the pancreas can grow abnormally and become cancerous, but 95 percent of pancreas cancers start in duct cells in the exocrine part of the gland. The most common type is adenocarcinoma.

Causes

Cancer begins in the body's cells, which are constantly dividing and multiplying to replace old, damaged cells. Cancer cells develop because of damage to DNA—a substance in every cell that directs all activities. Some people are prone to having damaged DNA based on inherited genetic syndromes, or a person's DNA can become damaged from an environmental exposure, like smoking. Normally when DNA becomes damaged the body is able to repair it. In cancer cells, the damaged DNA is not repaired. If an abnormal cell begins to divide, it eventually forms a malignant (cancerous) tumor. Like other cancer cells, pancreas cancer cells can travel through the bloodstream to other parts of the body. When cancer spreads from its original site, it is called metastasis.

Risk Factors

The exact cause of pancreatic cancer is not known, but research indicates that people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop pancreas cancer. If you think you may be at risk for pancreas cancer, discuss this concern with your doctor.
Age—The risk of pancreatic cancer increases sharply after 50 years of age. At the time of diagnosis, most patients are between 60 and 80 years of age.
Race—African-Americans are more likely to have pancreatic cancer than other ethnic groups.
Smoking—The risk of pancreatic cancer is higher among smokers.
Obesity—People having a body mass index of 30 or greater are more likely to develop pancreatic cancer.
Chronic pancreatitis—This long-term inflammation of the pancreas is linked with a slightly higher risk of pancreas cancer. Chronic pancreatitis may be difficult to diagnose, but most people have symptoms, including abdominal pain.
Sudden onset diabetes or sudden change in blood sugar control (for people with diabetes)— Diabetes, which is being diagnosed increasingly as obesity rates rise, can be both a risk factor and an early symptom of pancreatic cancer. The exact mechanism linking diabetes with pancreatic cancer is being studied, but may be caused by high concentrations of insulin or other hormones.
Family history—Pancreatic cancer seems to run in some families. The exact genes responsible have not been fully identified, but changes in DNA that increase a person's risk for other types of cancer may also increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.

Links

More information on pancreatic cancer is available at these websites recommended by the U.S.News & World Report library:

The National Pancreas Foundation (NPF)
The NPF provides information on symptoms and treatment of pancreatic cancer. The website also covers living with pancreatic diseases in general, including support groups, recipes, and alternative treatments.

Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education (PanCAN)
PanCAN supplies detailed information on several types of pancreatic cancer, a list of suggested questions for doctor appointments, and tips from survivors. The website provides several levels of support, including pages for caregivers and healthcare professionals.

Pancreatica
Pancreatica is funded and maintained by the nonprofit Lorenzen Cancer Foundation. The website addresses questions about the stages of cancer, diagnosis, treatment, and how to find support and a physician and offers links to additional resources.

The Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research
The Lustgarten Foundation maintains patient resources to help identify treatment providers and support services, and it provides financial and legal assistance.

The NIH maintains ClinicalTrials.gov, a research database of federally and privately supported clinical trials. Details are available on the clinical trials resource information page.

Last reviewed on 10/13/09

U.S. News's featured content providers were not involved in the selection of advertisers appearing on this website, and the placement of such advertisement in no way implies that these content providers endorse the products and services advertised. Disclaimer and a note about your health.

Pancreatic Cancer Blood Test

Uploaded to You Tube by oumedicine on Mar 27, 2009

Did you know that more than one person a day dies from pancreatic cancer in Oklahoma?

It is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States - so often deadly because it is seldom caught early. Currently, the five-year survival rate for patients with pancreatic cancer is only 4 percent. Experts at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center say that is because it is seldom diagnosed until it is in it's advanced stages. Now researchers at OU hope they may soon change that.

Their work may bring a new blood test for pancreatic cancer in the not too distant future. This is research that brings hope of turning around the deadly statistics surrounding this often silent killer. This same research could lead to ways to identify other cancers at their earliest stages too.

Celebrity Chef Sandwich Charity Challenge Support Lustgarten

Michael Ferraro from New York, NY, Executive Chef of Delicatessen and macbar. Recently named one of Zagat's "30 Under 30: New York's Hottest Up-and-Comers," Michael competes for the Lustgarten Foundation with his "Pan-Roasted Chicken Thigh Sandwich, Castelvetrano Olive Pesto, Tri Color Roasted Pepper Aioli, Burrata Cheese on Ciabatta Bread."

Please click on the link www.makethatsandwich.com for complete details and to vote for Michael.  If Michael wins, The Lustgarten Foundation will receive $10,000!!  You can vote everyday between now and Labor Day.

Also visit http://www.makethatsandwich.com/celebrity-chefs/profile/12724

Managing Medication Safely at Home

You may have seen recent coverage of the new White House Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Plan, which is designed to address the growing problem of drug abusers who use prescription drugs non-medically. The program seeks to protect Americans through provider education and stricter controls.


People of every age are at risk of harm from incorrect use of prescription drugs. And geriatricians agree that overdependence on certain medications can be a significant problem for older adults. But many pain specialists also express concern that people living with chronic pain—especially seniors—are already having trouble accessing legitimate medications they need.


A recent issue of the Gerontological Society of America’s What’s Hot newsletter examined in depth the role of pain management in reducing disability in older adults. The writers confirmed that "effective pain management is crucial to the well-being of seniors today," and list medications as one of the key modes of treatment. 


“Under-treatment of chronic pain in older adults is common, contributing to unnecessary suffering,” said study advisor Deborah Dillon McDonald, RN, Ph.D.
This is only the latest "medication paradox" we’ve seen in the news. Medications can prolong and improve our lives. But they can also increase fall risk, cause depression and confusion, even result in a fatal overdose. Every week, it seems, we read about the latest exciting new drug on the market—or that a drug has been abandoned as ineffective or with unacceptable side effects. Since seniors on average take more medications, it is no surprise that they also express the most concern about medication safety.
Geriatricians suggest that older adults take three medication safety steps:

1. Talk to their healthcare provider about the prescription and over-the-counter medications they take;
2. Take medications correctly—the correct dose, at the correct time interval; and,
3. Be alert for side effects, especially when starting a new medication.

But taking medications correctly can be a challenge, especially when a senior takes multiple medications, each with its own schedule and dosage. Visual impairment and memory loss add to the challenge. Families may live at a distance, or may not be available to provide the level of supervision their loved one needs. 


In-home care may be the solution to promote both safety and independence. If a senior’s health needs are complex, skilled nursing care can be provided in the home. But in many cases, in-home companion care, which can be provided at a far lower cost, is the perfect choice. A trained in-home caregiver can support effective medication management in four important ways:


Help senior clients get prescriptions filled. Many seniors fail to fill or renew prescriptions because they can’t get to the pharmacy. Neglecting to take their prescribed medications can have serious consequences. For example, the Gerontological Society of America reports that seniors who do not take their medications are at a 50% greater risk of experiencing a fall. In-home caregivers can provide transportation to the pharmacy, or pick up prescriptions for clients. 


Remind senior clients to take medications on time, and in the correct way. In-home caregivers can provide medication reminders, and can also help the senior client use prescription memory aids, such as pill organizers, medication checklists, specially packaged doses, or medication calendars. For clients who take pain medications, the caregiver can note whether pain is adequately managed, and be alert that the client might be taking more than the recommended dosage.


Report negative drug reactions.  As we grow older, our bodies process substances less efficiently, and drug side effects become more of a concern. According to the Commission for Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy, a startling 17% of hospitalizations of older patients are due to adverse reactions to medications. And sometimes the patient is the last to notice the problem! Trained in-home caregivers can be alert for signs of confusion, weakness, depression, or agitation or dizziness.


Encourage senior clients to be physically active and engaged. You might not think of this as part of a safe medication strategy—but studies show that increasing activity can decrease the need for some medications, such as pain medications, antidepressants and even blood pressure medicine. (Note: never reduce or discontinue a medication without consulting your healthcare provider.)


As our senior population grows, it is no coincidence that the field of geriatric pharmacy is also growing. Managing medications helps seniors stay healthy and safe. And when seniors live at home, extra help from a professional caregiver provides peace of mind for senior clients and family alike.


Learn More
The National Council on Patient Information and Education sponsors the Medication Use Safety Training (MUST) for Seniors program, with information for seniors and family caregivers.


The Commission for Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy offers more information about "The Silent Epidemic" of medication problems.


The U.S. Food and Drug Administration offers the factsheet As You Age: You and Your Medicines.

"Time for Timer" PSA for an afternoon snack of cheese

Because eating smart never goes out of style.  Nutrition is always important and snacks are good for maintaining your metabolism and strength when you are battling cancer and under going treatment. Here's a fun reminder.

Just because ... sometimes you need a distraction.

Sometimes you just need to smile, especially when cancer or the treatment is getting you down.  Here's an oldie but a goodie.  Escape for a few minutes and have a good laugh and a walk down memory lane.

Standing Up for My Father

By Dana Delany

My father was a man of reason. Like many post-WWII Naval officers, he majored in engineering and then went on to Harvard Business School. He took over the family business as expected -- manufacturing flush valves for toilets. Our family motto was, "It may seem like shit to you, but it's our bread and butter." But he was also a wildly romantic Irishman. I learned that when I was nine and found the diary he had written when he was 16. I read about how hurt he was that his sister Joan's girlfriends ignored him, his weekly reviews of the triple feature matinees that he went to every Saturday in Brooklyn and his first experience with death when a classmate died right in front of him on the track field. It really shook him. I think he was an altar boy at the funeral. Jack Delany was a typical Connecticut Cheever man of the 60's. He struggled with the conformity of suburban family life.

Even though he drove to the factory in Brooklyn every day, his dream was to be an architect. He loved to dance and taught me to Lindy as I perched on top of his feet. When the hullabaloo came out we learned it together from a book. He played "Red River Valley" on the guitar when he came home from work but not until he had his scotch. He was the first in the plumbing business to wear a Van Dyke (helped hide the Irish chin) and he loved the movies. He introduced me to French films. He was mad for Arletty in Les Enfants du Paradis. And I was mad for my dad. I memorized every crew list from his book The Great Films: Fifty Golden Years of Motion Pictures by Bosley Crowther -- hence my dubious expertise at Celebrity Jeopardy I think the last film we saw together was Steve Martin's The Jerk which made him laugh like a teenager. It would have pleased him to no end that I made a movie with Steve Martin 13 years later. I am an actor because of him.

In August 1980 I was in rehearsals in Edmonton Alberta for A Life, an Irish play by Hugh Leonard. It was a pre- Broadway tryout. My sister left a message on my service that I needed to call Dad. He very calmly told me that the pain that had been misdiagnosed for months turned out to be pancreatic cancer. It was inoperable and he had three months to live. I wanted to go to Virginia to be with him. He said no, he and Pat, his new wife of a year could manage and I needed to rehearse. He wanted to see me make my Broadway debut in December.

The rational side of my father researched every treatment available at that time. He decided against chemo for quality of life alone. It was the same year that Steve McQueen was in his fight against cancer. Being the movie buff, my father considered going to Mexico for the coffee enemas but ended up at the Kushi Institute in Boston. He was praying that a macrobiotic diet could cure him. Now you have to understand, my father was not a granola type. Maybe a Negroni or a Harvey Wallbanger type but... and yes, it was the tail end of the 70's, and he had a new younger wife, but to see my Dad eat daikon and seaweed was pretty laughable if it wasn't so tragic.

However, for whatever reason, he had very little pain and it gave him an extra six months. He had time to make peace with himself and his world. For a man who had lived with a lot of inward rage, my father died with grace and tenderness. And he did see my Broadway debut. I was 24 and he was 56. After he died, I thought "OK. That's what happens when you grow up. Your parents divorce, you graduate from college and your father dies. Shit happens. Life goes on." But in 2008, when I was standing proudly onstage for the groundbreaking Stand Up 2 Cancer special and I saw Patrick Swayze come out and speak with such beauty and strength about his battle with pancreatic cancer, I thought, "He's the same age as my father was. How is it possible that 28 years later, this is still going on? How is it possible that 75% of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer are still dead within a year?"

And a year later, Patrick was gone.

And now, this week, Laura Ziskin, one of the founders of Stand Up 2 Cancer and my friend, is gone. When she called me up three years ago and asked me to participate in the program by having a mammogram on live TV, I did not hesitate. Because she told me she was going to cure cancer, and I still believe she will. Thanks to her and SU2C, 18 million dollars has gone to pancreatic cancer research. Launch a star in memory of someone you love at www.su2c.org. I love you Daddy, but this one's for Laura.

Lustgarten wishes everyone a Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day from the all the volunteers from the Denver Pancreatic Cancer Walk.

No matter where your dad may be, today is a day to celebrate the love he has always shared with you!  How are you spending Father's Day this year?  Share your stories with us ... comment below.

FRUIT & VEGGIES CUT MEN'S PANCREATIC CANCER RISK

Wondering what to get dear old dad this Father's Day, June 19th? Give him a fruit and veggie basket and you may be decreasing his risk of pancreatic cancer.

According to University of Montreal researchers, men with the highest fruit and vegetable intakes are about half as likely to develop pancreatic cancer as those with the lowest intakes. In particular, the tomato compound lycopene (also highly concentrated in watermelon, red bell pepper and pink grapefruit) conferred protective benefits. Women's pancreatic cancer risk also declined relative to lycopene levels, but less significantly (9% lower risk compared to men's 31% risk reduction).

While pancreatic cancer accounts for just 2% of new cancer cases in the United States, it's the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths, making prevention key. By increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, and eliminating processed meats like hot dogs and sausage -- which, as we discussed in a recent newsletter, can threaten prostate health -- both genders can protect against pancreatic cancer.


http://www.dole.com/NutritionInstituteLanding/NI_Articles/NI_NutritionNewsDesk/NI_NutritionNewsDesk_Details/tabid/990/Default.aspx?contentid=9614

Pancreatic Cancer Advocacy Day: Clark Native, Victim's Son Tells Us How to Help

 By Todd Cohen | Email the author | June 14, 2011

I don’t like Father’s Day. There I said it.  Or better yet, I “typed” it.

Don’t get me wrong.  Father’s Day is a great way to honor all of those dads for being role models to people everywhere. There was a time when I looked forward to surprising my father with a gift or a card every third Sunday in June. But sadly, those days are in the past.

Nine years ago, I handed my dad a pristine New York Yankees Mickey Mantle jersey. Mantle was my father’s favorite baseball player, and when we watched my dad unwrap the package and unveil the prized baseball possession, we saw him wearing the jersey as well as a smile from ear to ear, marking his excitement. It was one of the few times we had seen him that ecstatic in a year.

About a year prior, my father had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I knew pancreatic cancer had claimed the life of actor Michael Landon, but other than that I had no knowledge of the disease that was about to alter the course of our family’s lives. I figured this was just another cancer and people beat cancer all the time. No big deal, right?

Boy, was I greatly mistaken. I went online and checked out the facts:

• Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States.
• About 75 percent of those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer die within the first year and only 6 percent survived past five years.

The numbers were staggering, but like any son who thought the world of his father, I felt he was indestructible and would beat this. Just another bump in the road. In baseball terms – a short trip to the disabled list. Even Mantle overcame injuries and off-field exploits to become one of the greatest outfielders in baseball history.

One week after 9/11, we took a trip to cancer specialist in a somber New York City to see what steps could be taken to get my father back on the right track. With the disease already spread to his liver, the oncologist told us there was nothing she could do and we were sent back to our local physician for a heavy dose of chemotherapy – and prayer.

After numerous treatments that sapped my father of much of his strength and saw him go from an imposing figure to a frail shadow of himself, I started to realize there weren’t going to be any late-game heroics. Like many others afflicted with this insidious disease, my dad was physically overwhelmed by the enormity of what he was facing. Just like his baseball hero, he lost his valiant battle to cancer two weeks after that unforgettable Father’s Day.

Why is this cancer so deadly? Due to the location of the pancreas and vague symptoms, early detection is almost impossible unlike other cancers like breast, colon and prostate. With no early diagnostic tools, patients are typically diagnosed when the cancer has already spread to other organs.

Despite the lack of treatment options and nearly 37,000 deaths attributed to the disease in 2010 alone, pancreatic cancer receives a mere 2 percent of the National Cancer Institute’s budget. Just like the survival rate – an unacceptable figure.

After hearing of a local affiliate forming, I started volunteering for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (pancan.org), a national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure. The organization is leading the way to increase the survival rate for people diagnosed with this devastating disease through a bold initiative—The Vision of Progress: Double the Pancreatic Cancer Survival Rate by 2020.


I hear it all the time: “My A. Neighbor, B. Friend, C. Relative, D. Coworker had pancreatic cancer and died from it.” The bad stories outnumber the good ones. Something needs to be done to find a solution to this problem.

Today, June 14, over 600 people will head to Washington, D.C., for Pancreatic Cancer Advocacy Day. Many others, including myself, will participate in a National Call-In and contact their Congressmen to ask them to support the Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act (S. 362/ H.R. 733). It proposes comprehensive research initiatives and programs that would facilitate finding a cure for pancreatic cancer.

Once enacted and fully funded, this legislation will create a more targeted approach to provide scientists with the resources necessary to make progress in developing diagnostic methods and treatments that are currently lacking for pancreatic cancer patients.

This legislation won’t save the life of my father but it might help others avoid going through the same sickening agony our family did.

Through a short phone call, I will be taking a step in preventing others from celebrating their last Father’s Day with their dads and continuing a mission of hope – and enjoying many more baseball memories together.

Todd Cohen is the Media Representative for the New Jersey Affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.  For more information about the group, go to www.pancan.org/newjersey or email Todd at TCohen@pancanvolunteer.org

Jon Stewart Stands up TO Cancer

New Tools for Diagnosing and Treating Pancreatic Cancer

Uploaded to You Tube by OhioHealthColumbus on Jan 14, 2011

NBC4 reports on new tools for diagnosing and treating pancreatic cancer.

Before, pancreatic cancer could mean a death sentence. But this new technology gives doctors a pinpoint look at the cancer, using it as a road map for finding and treating the cancer. As this technology makes the doctors' jobs better and more accurate, the survival rate of people diagnosed early with pancreatic cancer is increasing.

Denver family joins to help others fight pancreatic cancer

Denver Post
6/13/2011

When her sister-in-law Pam died after a two-year fight against pancreatic cancer in 2003, Nancy Saunders knew she wanted to be a voice for other patients.

She had some high-profile help: Her brother-in-law Steve Saunders was an anchor on Channel 7 then; her father-in-law is Dusty Saunders, the longtime Rocky Mountain News columnist; and her husband is Denver Post sports online editor Patrick Saunders.

The family has raised more than $400,000 for pancreatic cancer research with gala dinners, walks, runs and its annual golf tournament: The eighth annual Pam Saunders Charity Golf Tournament is June 20 at The Ridge at Castle Pines North. The funds raised go to the Cancer Patients Alliance, a nonprofit that promotes pancreatic cancer awareness, education and research.

"Imagine you've got the news today: What do you? You do research, you start Googling, then you're looking for somebody who can translate, who can guide you through this process. That's where the Cancer Patient Alliance comes in," says Nancy Saunders, a massage therapist who has donated services to its clients. "Although you don't want to give people false hope, there is hope out there."

The eighth annual Pam Saunders Charity Golf Tournament, The Ridge at Castle Pines North. June 20, 8 a.m. shotgun start, $200 per player includes golfer gifts, breakfast and lunch, team and individual prizes. Register at saundersevents.com.

Cancer Patients Alliance: pancreatica.org

Cancer-surviving Bennett Elementary School teacher holding fundraiser for disease research

By Gerry Tuoti

TAUNTON —More than a year after successfully undergoing cancer surgery, Bennett Elementary School teacher Denise Dukeman has dedicated herself to raising money for research into the disease that nearly cut her life short.

Dukeman, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March 2010, is holding a fundraiser June 18 at the Portuguese American Civic Club to raise money for her team to participate in a pancreatic cancer walk in Boston on Oct. 2.

All money generated by the walk will benefit the Lustgarten Foundation, an organization devoted to researching pancreatic cancer. Research into that illness, she said, lags behind research into other forms of cancer when it comes to funding.

The fourth-grade teacher said being back in the classroom has given her a tremendous lift.
“Work has been truly gratifying, just to know you are part of another family,” Dukeman said.
The children, she added, have been very interested in finding ways to help her raise money for cancer research. Students sold bracelets earlier in the year to raise funds. Another boy, Dukeman said, went from door to door in his neighborhood soliciting more than $100 in donations for the pancreatic cancer walk.
“I think it’s great for kids to know that even as children they can have a part and come up with ways to help,” she said.
The June 18 event at the PACC will feature a number of family- and kid-friendly activities. There will be meat-on-a-stick, music, raffles and games. Dukeman also plans to have children’s meals available, containing hot dogs, chips and juice.

A strong support network, Dukeman said, has been vital during her sickness, surgery and recovery.
“I’m so grateful for the support I have,” she said. “Everyone’s been so supportive.”
When Dukeman began feeling stomach pain last March, she initially thought she had come down with a flu bug that had been going around the school. But since the pain was accompanied by jaundiced skin, her doctor became concerned.

After her doctors conducted a series of tests, Dukeman learned she had a malignant tumor on her pancreas.
Unlike most pancreatic tumors, however, Dukeman’s was operable. Within weeks, she underwent the Whipple procedure, a major seven-hour surgical operation that removed the tumor from her pancreas.
She explained how the experience has altered her outlook and has given her a greater awareness of the little things in life.

“You appreciate things that you just kind of took for granted,” she said.

Contact Gerry Tuoti at gtuoti@tauntongazette.com.

Copyright 2011 The Taunton Gazette. Some rights reserved

Read more: http://www.tauntongazette.com/archive/x311048492/Cancer-surviving-Bennett-Elementary-School-teacher-holding-fundraiser-for-disease-research#ixzz1O3N9ggpW

Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk

Join us in the search for a cure!

We may come from different ‘walks of life,’ but we all join the Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk for the same reasons – to support research aimed at early detection methods, better treatments, and ultimately, a cure for this disease. We join to make a difference in the lives of future generations, and to celebrate those we love.

Since its inception in 2001, Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk has raised more than $12 million!
Thank you for taking a personal role in the fight against pancreatic cancer. This year, we have set our Walk fundraising goal higher than ever, and hope that you too will raise your personal fundraising bar!

2011 Pancreatic Cancer Research Walks

Arizona

Green Valley Walk

Saturday, March 19, 2011 at La Posada Green Valley Campus, Green Valley, AZ

Tempe Walk

Sunday, February 27, 2011 at Tempe Beach Park, Tempe, AZ

California

Fremont Walk

Date to be determined at Lake Elizabeth (Central Park), Fremont, CA
Website coming soon!

Westlake Village Walk/Run

Saturday, February 12, 2011 At Westlake Village City Hall, Westlake Village, CA

Colorado

Denver Walk

Sunday, November 6, 2011 at Sloan's Lake Park, Denver, CO
Website coming soon!

Connecticut

Cromwell Sunrise 18-Hole Stoll

Sunday, June 26, 2011 at TPC River Highlands Golf Course, Cromwell, CT

Delaware

Wilmington Walk

Saturday, April 30, 2011 at Delcastle Park, Wilmington, DE

Illinois

Chicago Walk/Run

Saturday, June 4, 2011 at Grant Park, Chicago, IL

Naperville Walk

Date to be determined, at Naperville Pavilion, Naperville, IL
Website coming soon!

Indiana

Indianapolis Walk

Date and location to be determined.
Website coming soon!

Iowa

Cedar Rapids Walk

Sunday, September 18, 2011 at Noleridge Lagoon, Cedar Rapids, IA
Website coming soon!

Kansas

Olathe Walk

Sunday, September 25, 2011 at Heritage Park, Olathe, KS
Website coming soon!

Massachusetts

Boston Walk

Sunday, October 2, 2011 at Castle Island, Boston, MA
Website coming soon!

Westborough Run / Walk

Sunday, April 10, 2011 at Westborough Tennis & Swim Club, Westboro, MA

Wilbraham Walk

Date to be determined, Mile Tree School, Wilbraham, MA
Website coming soon!

Missouri

Linn Creek

Date and location to be determined.
Website coming soon!

St. Louis Walk

Saturday, September 10 at Frontier Park, St. Charles, MO
Website coming soon!

New Jersey

Bridgewater Walk

Saturday, September 17, 2011at Duke Island Park, Bridgewater, NJ
Website coming soon!

Monmouth Walk

Sunday, May 15, 2011 at Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ

Paramus Walk

Sunday, September 18, 2011 at Bergen Community College, Paramus, NJ
Website coming soon!

Pennsauken Walk

Sunday, October 2, 2011 at Cooper River Park, Pennsauken, NJ
Website coming soon!

New York

Albany Walk

Sunday, September 11, 2011 at  Elm Avenue Town Park, Delmar, NY
Website coming soon!

Brooklyn Walk

Sunday, May 15, 2011 at Marine Park, Brooklyn, NY

Liverpool Walk

Saturday, June 11, 2011 at Onondaga Lake Park, Liverpool, NY

Long Island Walk

Sunday, October 9, 2011 at Jones Beach, Wantagh, NY
Website coming soon!

Montauk Triathlon

Saturday, June 11 at Harborside Motel, Montauk, NY

New York City Walk

Sunday,  April 3, 2011 at Riverside Park, New York, NY

Westchester Walk

Sunday, April 10, 2011 at Rye Town Park and Playland Park, Rye, NY

North Carolina

Charlotte Walk

Saturday, May 14, 2011 at Frank Liske Park, Concord, NC

Pennsylvania

Lehigh Valley Walk

Sunday, September 25, 2011 at Lehigh Parkway, Allentown, PA

Texas

Dallas Walk

Date to be determined at Katy Trail, Reverchon Park, Dallas, TX
Website coming soon!

Charlotte Rae shares her experience with pancreatic cancer

Uploaded to You Tube by UCLAHealth on Jan 20, 2011

Chalotte Rae, familiar to millions of TV viewers as the housemother on the '80s sitcom The Facts of Life, was diagnosed in 2009 with pancreatic cancer, an often-silent killer with few if any symptoms until it is too late.

Some 40,000 new cases of pancreatic cancer are diagnosed each year, and by the time diagnosis is made, up to 80 percent of patients are no longer candidates for treatment.

"I had no symptoms," Rae says. "I had absolutely no symptoms. None whatsoever."

But Rae was, in a way, lucky. Because she had a family history of the disease - her mother, uncle and older sister all died from the disease - she underwent early screening, which detected the cancer at an early stage.

"We're working hard to develop tests for earlier diagnosis," says Howard Reber, M.D., director of the UCLA Pancreatic Cancer Program. The goal is to create something similar to the PSA test now done to detect prostate cancer in its early stages, before it has had a chance to spread. "In patients where we know that there's an increased likelihood of the development of the disease, we can screen them, we can get CT scans, we can get endoscopic ultrasounds," Dr. Reber says.

In Rae's case, the cancer was detected and found to be contained, but it was growing fast. Surgery was performed to remove the cancer, and now, following surgery and chemotherapy, Rae is cancer free.

Learn more about pancreatic cancer at www.pancreas.ucla.edu

New Patient Check List

A general checklist of things to bring to first oncology appointment


• Valid photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport.


• Completed Patient History Database form. There may be a delay in seeing your physician if you do not have this form completed prior to seeing your physician.


• Your appointment schedule.


• All health insurance and prescription insurance cards.


• Medical information, copies of doctors’ notes and operative reports and any pathology slides that were requested.


• Interpretive reports and actual diagnostic films if requested by your patient access specialist such as CT scans, MRIs, PET scans, ultrasounds, and X-rays must be hand-carried to your first appointment. Your radiology facility may offer to provide copies of these X-rays on a CD, and this is acceptable. However, in order for our radiologists to view outside X-rays on a CD it is critical that they be provided in the proper format. Please instruct your radiology facility providing those films to provide them as DICOM format CDs.


• Please include notes from other physicians for any other medical issues you may have.


• A list of all doctors you would like us to communicate with. Please include the doctor's full name, address and phone number.


• A list of all your prescription and non-prescription medications that you are taking. This request includes vitamins, nutritional supplements, herbal products and over-the-counter drugs.


• Your completed Living Will and Medical Power of Attorney. You or your legally designated representative may also request that your physician prepare an Out-of-Hospital Do-Not-Resuscitate order for you, if appropriate. If you do not have these documents when you arrive for your first appointment, ask to meet with the social worker assigned to your center.


• A list of questions you may want to ask your doctor. Bring a small notebook for keeping notes.


• Comfortable clothing and shoes and a sweater.

• A book, magazines or handwork to help pass the time between appointments.


Check list from MD Anderson's website.

Rosemary: A Cancer-Fighting Spice

 By Cancerwise Blogger on May 24, 2011 9:52 AM | Comments (0)

By Lindsey Garner, MD Anderson Staff Writer

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. To many, these spices are common recipe ingredients or lyrics from a popular 1960s Simon and Garfunkel song.

But research shows that these spices are much more than what they seem. They have the potential to prevent and treat cancer.

Bharat Aggarwal, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Experimental Therapeutics at MD Anderson, led a 2009 research study on the use of spices in cancer prevention and treatment. The study covers 41 common dietary spices, including one that shows promise in treating skin cancer -- rosemary.

Combating a common cancer
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, with more than 3.5 million cases diagnosed annually.

A 2006 study at the University of Rajasthan in Jaipur, India, tested rosmarinic acid (RosA), a phenolic compound in rosemary, on mice with stage II skin cancer. RosA was shown to suppress tumorigenesis, the formation of new tumors.

In addition, Aggarwal's study showed that rosemary, along with the other 40 spices studied, suppressed and blocked pro-inflammatory pathways in cancer cells. Inflammation is linked to common symptoms in cancer patients, such as depression, fatigue, neuropathic pain, metastases and tumor growth.

Therapeutic uses of rosemary
RosA has a broad range of therapeutic purposes. For example, as an:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Antiviral
• Antimicrobial
• Antioxidant
• Anti-allergic

Traditional medical practices in Asian countries use medicinal plants, herbs and spices containing RosA to decrease asthma symptoms and prevent seasonal allergies.

RosA is also found in:

• Basil
• Lemon balm
• Mint
• Perilla (an eastern medicinal plant)

More studies needed
Aggarwal's study concludes that more evidence is needed to fully demonstrate the potential that spices like rosemary have for preventing and treating cancer.

However, he emphasizes that incorporating spices into one's diet can help improve overall well-being and health.

"It's the best scenario in my mind," he says. "You're not doing any harm. In fact, you have evidence that you're doing some good. What could be better?"

Dr Kisfalvi Speaks on Anti-Diabetic Therapy in the Prevention of Pancreatic Cancer

Uploaded to You Tube by HirshbergFoundation on Apr 26, 2011

Extensive epidemiologic data now suggest that diabetic patients who had taken metformin, especially those with greater than 5 years of use, had a significantly lower risk of developing pancreatic cancer compared with those who had not taken metformin. In contrast, diabetic patients who had taken insulin or insulin secretagogues had a significantly higher risk of pancreatic cancer compared with diabetic patients who had not taken these drugs. These population-based cohort studies raise the possibility that metformin might have a significant role in the prevention of the development of pancreatic cancer in this high risk type-2 diabetes patient group.

Be a Lustgarten Volunteer

Volunteer

Volunteers are among our greatest assets. Here are some opportunities to consider:

At Our Office Headquarters

If you reside on Long Island and would like to help, we'd love to meet you!
Office hours are weekdays, 9 am – 5 pm ET.

At Our Events

We currently host Walks in states that include (but are not limited to) California, Chicago, Boston, Florida and New York. Volunteers are needed for the following areas: Set-up, registration, greeters/crowd control, distributing refreshments, rest stops, assisting along the route and cheering walkers across the finish line.
In addition to Walks, we also host several fundraising events throughout the year. Volunteers are always need to assist with set-up, registration, and greeting guests.

The Gift of Volunteering

We encourage students, scout groups, and teachers with their classes to get involved.




Volunteers Make It Happen! Contact us today and get involved!

Questions?

Contact Suzanne Beck, Special Events Coordinator, at 516.803.2913 or sbeck@cablevision.com. 

Lustgarten Walk: Westchester Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk 2011

Uploaded to You Tube by shaneshernandez on Apr 12, 2011

Memories from another successful Lustgarten Walk held in Westchester Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk in memory of Gigi Shanes-Hernandez, Sunday, April 10, 2011.

Congratulations on raising over $271,000!!

To donate or learn more about this walk, visit http://ryewalk2011.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=448406

6th Annual Liverpool Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk

Live near Liverpool, NY?

Saturday, June 11 at 10:00am at 7199 Onondaga Lake Trail (Willow Bay Entrance), Liverpool, NY 13088

http://www.liverpool.kintera.org/ 

6th Annual Liverpool Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk Pre-Registration Fee $50 | Walk-In Registration Fee $60 Saturday, June 11, 2011 at Onondaga Lake Trail Registration 10:00 am | Walk starts at 10:30 am | Lunch at Noon Join us on Saturday, June 11, 2011 at Onondaga Lake Trail,(Willow bay Entrance) Liverpool, NY. Pancreatic Cancer Research Walks are a great way to increase funding for research and raise awareness for pancreatic cancer. Lustgarten Foundation walks serve as a wonderful celebration of the progress being made in the fight against this disease, and your important participation provides hope for the future. We extend a special thank you to Sue Hills for organizing this event. One Hundred Percent Of All Donations Will Go Directly To Research. Cablevision Systems Corporation, a leading media and entertainment company underwrites all of The Lustgarten Foundation's administrative costs to ensure that 100% of every dollar raised will go directly to pancreatic cancer research.