Advancing Your Health

As an Oncology Social Worker at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, I provide resources and support to patients and their families throughout the cancer journey. During my first visit with a new patient, I often suggest that he or she try out one of the many support groups offered at Winship or in the community. The response I get from this suggestion varies depending on the patient from enthusiasm to absolute fear.  As a facilitator of two support groups at Winship, I am admittedly a strong advocate of joining a group. However, I understand the apprehension some feel towards sharing the ups and downs of the cancer journey with other people. For those uncomfortable with participating in support groups, I often outline the benefits of using support [...]

It’s almost summer time, and many of us are already spending more time outside enjoying the warm weather. Most of us don’t consider the consequences of increased sun exposure on our skin, even indirect exposure. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, with about one million new cases every year. The three common forms of skin cancer are distinguished by the types of cells affected: melanoma, basal cell and squamous cell. While melanoma is less common than basal and squamous cell cancers, it is the most dangerous. If caught early, melanoma can be treated; however, if left untreated, melanoma can spread to other parts of the body. What is Melanoma? Melanoma is a cancer of melanocytes, which are cells whose primary function is to make pigment. These cells [...]

We had a great discussion on April 11th about nutrition with Tiffany Barrett, MS, RD, CSO, LD. She answered some great questions about the importance of maintaining a healthy diet to fight off cancer and enhance treatment. If you missed out on our live chat, the transcript is available here. Also, see below for highlights from the discussion. Q: What are some good foods to eat during cancer treatment or to prevent cancer from reoccurring? A: When it comes to reducing the likelihood of recurrence, reducing saturated fat intake is very important. This includes eliminating animal fat, butter, lard, etc. It is important to increase your intake of plant foods and grains while incorporating a variety of produce into your diet (i.e. leafy greens, [...]

Established in 2004, The Commission on Cancer (CoC) Outstanding Achievement Award (OAA) recognizes cancer programs that strive for excellence in providing quality care to cancer patients. Just recently, the CoC of the American College of Surgeons awarded a select group of 106 currently accredited and newly accredited cancer programs across the United States with its OAA. We want to congratulate Emory University Hospital (EUH) and our physicians at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University for receiving a CoC Outstanding Achievement Award for 2011. EUH was the only hospital in Atlanta to be granted this award and only one of two in Georgia. Rein Saral, MD, associate director for community affairs and outreach for Winship Cancer Institute of Emory [...]

Maintaining a healthy diet is important, especially during cancer treatment. Your body is stressed-- both from the treatment and cancer itself. It’s imperative to make sure that you're getting the proper nutrition, vitamins, and minerals you need to stay strong and fight infections. According to the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) Nutrition Guidelines, it’s best to eat a diet consisting of plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, grains, and foods low in fat. Omer Kucuk, MD and Professor of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University says, “there are bioactive compounds in foods, particularly in fruits and vegetables. These bioactive compounds have potent anti-cancer activities; for example, broccoli contains indole 3 carbinol, which has been shown to have anti-cancer affects, especially in prostate cancer [...]

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. A few weeks ago, we gave you an intro to Colorectal Cancer, including statistics, information on the risk factors and symptoms of colorectal cancer, and information on the most popularly recommended diagnostic test, the colonoscopy. This week, we’re following up with information on preventing and treating cancer of the colon or rectum (also known as colorectal cancer), and providing more information on other methods for diagnosing.

Colorectal Cancer Prevention

Receiving regular screenings is going to be the best way to prevent colorectal cancer. Catching cancer early while it is still curable and/or removing polyps before they turn cancerous are keys to survival.  According to the American Cancer Society, “people who have no identified risk [...]

March is colorectal cancer month, and an article in the New York Times highlights the important role colonoscopies have played in reducing deaths from colorectal cancer. The study included patients tracked over 20 years after receiving a colonoscopy, which lead to the detection and removal of precancerous polyps, known as adenomatous polyps. Findings from the study show that the combination of a colonoscopy and polyp(s) removal lowered the colorectal death rate by 53 percent. While not all polyps turn into cancer, evidence shows that early detection and intervention are keys to survival. In the spirit of helping raise awareness around Colon Cancer and the importance of colonoscopies as a diagnostic and preventive tool, below you’ll find some helpful resources and important information about colorectal cancer.

Colorectal Cancer Statistics

March 6 marks the official awareness day around one of the least understood but most commonly faced conditions among cancer patients—Lymphedema. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, you’re not alone. Essentially, Lymphedema is a condition that occurs when the lymph system is blocked or impeded, which results in the build up of fluid in the body’s soft tissue. This fluid buildup results in swelling--usually in the arms and legs--which is the most common symptom of Lymphedema. Lymphedema can be genetic, but it is often caused as a result of some cancers and their respective treatments. In regards to the latter, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), “Lymphedema is one of the most poorly understood, relatively underestimated, and least researched complications of cancer or its treatment.” Because of the relatively high [...]

If you want a loved one to stop smoking and you feel tempted to nag him or her, you may want to try to curb your impulse. You might be doing more harm than good, a Winship Cancer Institute expert says. Reinforce positively and try not to nag, advises Carla Berg, Ph.D., a member of the Cancer Prevention and Control department of Winship and also a professor in the Rollins School of Public Health. With Heart Month upon us and roughly 17-18%  of adults in the United States continuing to smoke, this is important. Smoking is not only is the major cause of lung cancer, the nation’s number one cancer killer, but it's [...]

The annual Charles Harris Run for Leukemia, which benefits leukemia research at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, is scheduled for Saturday, February 25. The 10K run kicks off at 7:45 am at Tucker High School; the one-mile run/walk starts at Druid Hills Middle School. The run honors the late Dr. Charles E. Harris -- former teacher, coach and beloved principal of Shamrock High School. Dr. Harris passed away more than three decades ago from leukemia at the age of 49. Dr. Harris was an un-sung All-American football player at the University of Georgia and a Marine who volunteered for the Korean War. Playing on the Camp Pendleton football team, Pete Rozelle, father of the modern day NFL, attempted to [...]