Medically reviewed and verified by Kate Burke, MD, MHA \When you or a loved one is diagnosed with breast cancer, your doctor might mention something called a PIK3CA mutation. It sounds complex but understanding what this mutation is and what it means for your treatment can help you take control of your care. To start,… Continue reading What is a PIK3CA Mutation in Breast Cancer?
Category: Cancer
Understanding Your Breast Cancer Pathology Report
Medically reviewed and verified by Kate Burke, MD, MHA When you are being tested or treated for breast cancer, one of the most important documents in your medical journey is the pathology report. This report is written by a pathologist, a doctor who specializes in looking at tissues and cells under a microscope for diseases… Continue reading Understanding Your Breast Cancer Pathology Report
Questions to Ask at Your First Oncology Appointment
Medically reviewed and verified by Kate Burke, MD, MHA Your first oncology appointment is an important moment to ask questions, understand your diagnosis, and start taking control of your care. But when your emotions are high, it can be hard to remember everything you want to ask, let alone understand everything your doctor says. Having… Continue reading Questions to Ask at Your First Oncology Appointment
What is Hormone Receptor Positive / Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Negative (HR+/HER2-) Breast Cancer?
Medically reviewed and verified by Kate Burke, MD, MHA Cancer is one of the most complicated diagnoses. There are hundreds of distinct types, each with its own progression and treatment plan. For many women, breast cancer is something that they need to be aware of and test for, especially as they age. A very common… Continue reading What is Hormone Receptor Positive / Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Negative (HR+/HER2-) Breast Cancer?
Ommm: People with cancer practice chair yoga for bone benefits
Chemotherapy and other cancer treatments can take a toll on your bones and overall strength, so some patients are turning to chair yoga to boost their bone health and balance. Things like bone health ‘seemed trivial compared to cancer’ We heard about chair yoga in this New York Times article, “Chair yoga for my funny bones.” The… Continue reading Ommm: People with cancer practice chair yoga for bone benefits
5 Tips for Life After Lung Cancer Surgery
Your body just went through a significant afront, and returning to regular life at home after lung cancer surgery can be daunting. Hopefully, you have a support network in place to help you adjust. But, if you could use an extra hand on your back as you recover, we are here to remind you that… Continue reading 5 Tips for Life After Lung Cancer Surgery
A possible Parkinson’s disease/melanoma link? Time for a skin check
Now that summer has passed, have you had your skin examined? Studies have shown that people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) may have an increased risk for melanoma, so skin screenings are extra-important. Take a look at recent research and get some tips on monitoring your moles and skin. Studies show… A 2017 Mayo Clinic study found that… Continue reading A possible Parkinson’s disease/melanoma link? Time for a skin check
“Chemo brain”: 3 surprising findings from recent research
“Chemo brain” — the term for cognitive problems associated with chemotherapy treatment — appears to be very common, but doctors only started paying attention to it in the late 1990s. A 2012 study that finally helped elevate chemo brain as a serious and widespread issue estimated that up to 75% of breast cancer survivors experience “cognitive deficits—problems with… Continue reading “Chemo brain”: 3 surprising findings from recent research
Health news: What’s making headlines in June
In case you missed it, check out this round up of some of the stories making headlines in June… Parkinson’s disease: Apple Watch will now be able to monitor PD: Tech developers announced this month that the Apple Watch will now be able to track two common PD symptoms — tremors and dyskinesia —… Continue reading Health news: What’s making headlines in June
Marijuana/lung cancer: New reporting on potential risks/benefits of cannabis
Medical marijuana and cannabidiol (CBD) are getting a lot of media coverage — so what’s the latest, as it relates to lung cancer? See two recent high-profile articles that weigh the possible risks and benefits of cannabis for cancer and respiratory disease. And add your perspective. (Psst, checkout past PatientsLikeMe write-ups on medical marijuana and CBD for some background.)… Continue reading Marijuana/lung cancer: New reporting on potential risks/benefits of cannabis