Screening Colonoscopies Save Lives

Ursina Teitelbaum, MD, is a Penn Medicine assistant professor of medicine and medical oncologist specializing in gastrointestinal cancer, caring for older adults and symptomatic management of cancer patients.  In this first of two posts, Dr. Teitelbaum discusses the importance of colorectal cancer screening.It is an exciting time to be a gastrointestinal oncologist, because of the array of advances in detection, prevention and treatment of colorectal...

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Free Skin Cancer Screening in Philadelphia

Have you been screened for skin cancer?May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and dermatologists at Penn Medicine want to spread the lifesaving message of early skin cancer detection and screening by offering free skin cancer screenings in Philadelphia. Date: Saturday, May 19 2012Time: 8 am to NoonLocation: Department of Dermatology at the Ruth & Raymond Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, 3400 Civic Center Blvd., First floor, Suite 1-330S (South...

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Why Laughter Really is Good Medicine

Christine Wilson, cancer survivor, shares her experiences from the Humor, Heart and Hope Symposium held this spring and sponsored by the Abramson Cancer Center and Cancer Support Community of Philadelphia.Does the image of a roomful of 200 cancer survivors and caregivers doubled over in laughter seem unlikely? At the Humor, Heart and Hope Symposium held this spring, there were a lot of laughs. The symposium, sponsored by the Penn’s Abramson Cancer...

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How to Eat Well With Head and Neck Cancer

After a head or neck cancer diagnosis, pain caused by the tumor or from surgical procedures or treatment can make chewing and swallowing difficult.  Altering the consistency of your food and carefully selecting food items can make a big difference in your ability to eat and aid in making sure your body receives adequate calories, protein and other nutrients.  It is important to maintain good nutrition during this period to aid recovery...

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Cancer and Older Adults: Meeting a Unique Challenge

Dana Marcone DeDonato, MSW, LSW, is a geriatric oncology social worker at the Joan Karnell Cancer Center at Pennsylvania Hospital and is the coordinator for the Living Well Program. According to the Administration on Aging, older adults make up the fastest growing segment of the population.. Older adults are more likely to have chronic illnesses that can affect their functioning and their ability to handle stress. These include heart disease, impaired...

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Treating Pain In Cancer Patients

Tanya Uritsky, Pharm D, is a clinical pharmacy specialist in pain management and palliative care at Penn Medicine. In this blog, she discusses the role of pain management in cancer care.  I wear a button on my lab coat that has the word “pain” encircled with a red line through it. I wear it because I am affectionately known as the “No Pain Girl.” Patients I meet almost always comment on this button and request one of their own. Although these...

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Revolutionizing Head and Neck Surgery with TORS

Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) was invented and developed by the pioneering team of Bert W. O'Malley, Jr., MD and Gregory S. Weinstein, MD at Penn MedicineTORS uses the state-of-the-art da Vinci® Surgical System, which allows surgeons better access to the areas of the throat for the removal of cancers and benign lesions via a minimally invasive robotic approach.Surgeons benefit by having improved access to the tight confines of the throat and patients benefit in the short term with a faster and easier recovery and, in the long term, by outstanding...

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Philadelphia 5K Run/Walk for Myeloma April 28

Dan Vogl, MD is assistant professor of medicine at the Abramson Cancer Center. Dr. Vogl works with patients in the hematologic malignancies and bone marrow transplant program. The Philadelphia Multiple Myeloma Networking Group (PMMNG) is holding their fourth annual Miles for Myeloma 5K Run/Walk  Saturday April 28 at 9 am on Martin Luther King Drive in Philadelphia. Together with patients and their families, I’ll be there to help raise money...

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Proton Therapy for Prostate Cancer: Meet Frank McKee

When Frank McKee was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he wanted to find the best possible treatment to fight his disease. Frank did extensive research about prostate cancer treatments and learned about proton therapy for prostate cancer, the world’s most advanced form of radiation therapy."For me, I wanted to treat the cancer. I wanted to be done with it," Frank said. "And, I wanted to be done with it in a way that had a minimum amount of side effects and affect my life the least.""That’s why I picked proton therapy."In this video, Frank...

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Finding Strength in Prayer and Proton Therapy at Penn

Dennis Dobie received proton therapy for cancer at Penn.Dennis Dobie of Cherry Hill, NJ, is a retired mechanical engineer and urethral cancer survivor. In this article, he shares the story of his diagnosis, and how proton therapy at Penn’s Roberts Proton Therapy Center and his faith helped save his life.   After my wife Ginny and I returned from a vacation in 2009, I realized it was time to deal with some health problems I had been ignoring...

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Physician Gets Proton Beam Therapy for Prostate Cancer

Robert Lustig, MD, is professor of radiation oncology at Penn Medicine, prostate cancer survivor and proton beam therapy patient. At Penn, Dr. Lustig was able to have proton therapy for prostate cancer at the Abramson Cancer Center."I came in the morning, got on the table, had my treatment, and went back to work," recalls Dr. Lustig, who completed proton therapy for prostate cancer in June, 2011.In this video, he discusses his diagnosis, and his choice to have proton therapy for prostate cancer. brightcove.createExperiences(); Diagnosed with...

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Prostate Cancer Treated with Proton Therapy at Penn

Neha Vapiwala, MD, chief of the genitourinary service for Penn Radiation Oncology, discusses proton therapy for prostate cancer, available at Penn Medicine. Proton therapy, available at Penn’s Roberts Proton Therapy Center, is an incredible new way to deliver targeted radiation therapy to many types of tumors, including prostate cancer.  Penn Medicine recently celebrated the second anniversary of the proton therapy center.In this interview, Dr. Vapiwala discusses how specialists throughout Penn Medicine and Penn's Abramson Cancer Center, ...

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Spin for LIVESTRONG™ and the Abramson Cancer Center

Join the second annual Penn Club of New York Spinathon Wednesday, April 18 from 7 am to 7 pm in support of the Abramson Cancer Center and its patients and families. This year, there will be two Spinning locations available.This fun and healthy event benefits the LIVESTRONG™ Survivorship Center of Excellence at Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center. The goal is to have at least one Spin bike going the entire day in support of the cancer center, and those...

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The Benefits of Whole Grains

Whole grains provide many cancer-fighting benefits and help with bowel regularity, decrease spikes in blood sugar and make you feel fuller longer if you are trying to lose weight.In this video, Debra DeMille, MS, RD, CSO, registered dietitian and nutritional counselor at the Joan Karnell Cancer Center discusses whole grains, the importance of whole grains, and how much whole grain cancer survivors should eat....

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Oncolink's New Look – Improved Navigation for Cancer Information

Just in time to celebrate its 18th anniversary, OncoLink®, a free cancer information website developed by experts at Penn's Abramson Cancer Center has launched a redesigned website based on the search habits and feedback from patients, caregivers and health care providers who use the site. Enhanced, interactive features provide access to the most up-to-date information on all types of cancer allows users to develop personalized survivorship plans...

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Patient Thanks Penn for Expert Thyroid Cancer Care

Kristina Black was only 23 when she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. In this video, she talks about her diagnosis, and how her team of experts from Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center helped her through treatment so she could once again "sweat the small stuff" in li...

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Free Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Screening on April 27

The Joan Karnell Cancer Center at Pennsylvania Hospital is offering a free screening for oral, head and neck cancer from 11 am to 3 pm on Friday, April 27, 2012. Oral, head and neck cancer refers to a variety of cancers that develop in the head and neck region, such as the oral cavity (mouth), the pharynx (throat), paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity, the larynx (voice box), thyroid and salivary glands, the skin of the face and neck, and the lymph...

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Potatoes, Peas and Mint

Potatoes are a rich source of vitamin C and potassium. They contain lectins, which are proteins that have been studied for inhibiting tumor growth.Mint’s phenolic phytochemical may help prevent cancer and peas which add a touch of sweetness to this as well as an assortment of cancer fighting phytonutrients. Potatoes, Peas and MintIngredients:1 ¼ lbs baby red skin potatoes       ½ cup fresh or frozen peas2 tbsp olive...

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Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month

April is Head and Neck Cancer Awareness month.Oral, head and neck cancer refers to a variety of cancers that develop in the head and neck region, such as the oral cavity (mouth), the pharynx (throat), paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity, the larynx (voice box), thyroid and salivary glands, the skin of the face and neck, and the lymph nodes in the neck.Common warning signs are:Red or white patch in the mouth that lasts more than two weeksChange in voice or hoarseness that lasts more than two weeksSore throat that does not subsidePain or swelling...

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Personalized Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancers

Alexander Lin, MD,  is a radiation oncologist at Penn Medicine who specializes in treating patients with head and neck cancer. In this video, Dr. Lin discusses  personalized radiation therapy for cancer patients including intensity-modulated radiation therapy and proton therapy.  Dr. Lin also explains how the cancer team at Penn Medicine works together - under one roof - to create the best treatment plan for every patient....

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Committing to Holistic Living

Thinking about making healthy lifestyle changes is often easier than making and sustaining those changes. A new program at the Joan Karnell Cancer Center at Pennsylvania Hospital is helping people who are ready to commit to a healthier lifestyle make the changes they need to meet their personal health goals. The Holistic Living Challenge is a seven-week program that provides education and support for a healthy and preventive lifestyle. The program...

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