Wendy Harpham on Healthy Survivorship

News Keeps Getting Worse on Vitamins

The New York Times Well blog ran a story that summarized the results of various studies on vitamin supplements and health. The "News Keeps Getting Worse of Vitamins" piece generated over 500 comments.

The Little Things

Sometimes it is the littlest things in life that bring great joy. I invite you to take a micro-vacation from survivorship and watch this 2 1/2 minute story of a micro-sculptor from Bimingham, England.

A Healthy Survivor's Thanksgiving

Every Thanksgiving I develop a certain pain in my chest that is unrelated to the big turkey dinner and pumpkin pie dessert. In an article entitled "Thanks," from Oncology Times, I discuss this pain:

Indirect Health Benefits

My Nov 18th post, mentioned a recent study of the effect of psychological interventions on survival. You might be wondering how addressing emotional distress helps heal the body.

Stressed about Stressing

On a recent post, I highlighted a new study that looks at psychosocial support and improved survival after cancer. This is news that can be put to good use. But we also need to be alert to the dangers.

An Appearance of Normalcy

Today's NYTimes ran an article in their neediest cases section about a woman, Madaline McKay, who kept her cancer diagnosis a secret from her 10-year-old son. I can understand why.

Psychological Interventions Improve Survival

A new study to be published in the December 15th issue of Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, has already generated excitement. In a nutshell:

Future Placebos

Placebos work only on patients' psyches, unlike surgery, radiation therapy and active drugs (like antibiotics or chemo). Are placebos here to stay?

Life Anniversary

Yesterday, November 13th, a cancer listserv was discussing the role of supplements in post-treatment wellness. While posting a comment, I was about to type that I am a long-term survivor when I realized something:

The Researcher's Balance

Survivors often thank me for participating in the Rituxan trials. Actually, what researchers do takes a lot more courage and fortitude than participating as a subject. Here's why:

Placebos In and Out of Trials

Does it make a difference if a placebo is taken as prescribed by your family physician or as part of a clinical trial?

Why Settle for Placebos?

People debate the ethics of physicians prescribing placebos to patients outside the clinical trials setting. They parse the issue, arguing about specific situational circumstances. Instead of asking if it's okay to prescribe placebos, I'd like to see us asking, "Why settle for placebos?"

Healed or Duped?

We - you and I - still haven't answered the question: Do placebos have a place in the care of Healthy Survivors? Is it okay if your physicians knowingly prescribe a sugar pill to help you feel better and/or get better, telling you they are prescribing a drug that can help fix your problem?