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.
Continue reading "News Keeps Getting Worse on Vitamins" »
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.
Continue reading "The Little Things" »
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:
Continue reading "A Healthy Survivor's Thanksgiving" »
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.
Continue reading "Indirect Health Benefits" »
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.
Continue reading "Stressed about Stressing" »
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.
Continue reading "An Appearance of Normalcy" »
Placebos work only on patients' psyches, unlike surgery, radiation therapy and active drugs (like antibiotics or chemo). Are placebos here to stay?
Continue reading "Future Placebos" »
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:
Continue reading "Life Anniversary" »
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:
Continue reading "The Researcher's Balance" »
Does it make a difference if a placebo is taken as prescribed by your family physician or as part of a clinical trial?
Continue reading "Placebos In and Out of Trials" »
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?"
Continue reading "Why Settle for Placebos?" »
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?
Continue reading "Healed or Duped?" »