Cancer Fighting Recipe: Spicy Kale with Fried Grapes and Frizzled Onions

Kale’s strong and sometimes bitter flavor comes from its sulfur-containing compounds, which are converted into isothiocyanates (ITCs) when its leaves are broken by blending or chopping. ITCs have proven immune boosting and anticancer effects, making this the perfect dish for combating those fall sniffles!Lacinato kale has long and slender leaves and is usually more tender than its cousin curly kale. Other braising greens such as Swiss chard, beet...

Read More

5 Easy Yoga Poses to Do Anywhere

The practice of yoga calms the mind by providing a deep feeling of relaxation and balance. Did you know that the very basics of a yoga practice can be done during your “everyday” life at any place or any time? When you find yourself caught up in the hustle and bustle this holiday season, give yourself the gift of “instant yoga” by practicing these quick and simple techniques…anywhere…anytime:Staying Grounded During the Holidays: 5 Easy Ways to Take...

Read More

Surgery, Radiation and Proton Therapy for Lung Cancer Treatment at Penn

Christine Wilson, cancer survivor, shares her experiences from the Abramson Cancer Center’s 2012- Focus on Lung Cancer Conference. In this blog, she discusses new treatments in radiation and proton therapies for lung cancer patients. "At Penn, we care about the total patient experience,” says John Kucharczuk, MD. “ We know that for most people, the diagnosis of lung cancer is their first experience with this disease. As doctors, we need to recognize what that means to people, understand their anxiety level.”Surgery for Lung CancerAt Penn,...

Read More

Advances in Diagnosing Lung Cancer

Christine Wilson, cancer survivor, shares her experiences from the Abramson Cancer Center’s 2012- Focus on Lung Cancer Conference. In this blog, she discusses new imaging and diagnostic advances for lung cancer. Defining Risk, Reducing Deaths from Lung CancerThe National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) demonstrated that regular, low dose CT screening for people at high risk of developing lung cancer reduces the death rate by 20 to 25%. That trial, the largest screening trial in history, also raised a number of questions.Who is at high risk? The...

Read More

Cancer in Pets

November is National Pet Cancer Awareness month. Cancer is remarkably similar in its incidence and treatment between humans and companion animals.Symptoms of cancer in pets may include lumps and bumps, abnormal odors, wounds that won't heal, weight loss and difficulty breathing.Christina Bach, MSW, discusses cancer in pets, signs and symptoms of cancer in pets, and treatment options to discuss with your pet’s veterinarian should your pet have cancer.Learn...

Read More

Proton Therapy Patient Says Thank You

Today is the one-year anniversary of my initial proton therapy consultation visit at Penn Medicine. This time last year I was nearing the Thanksgiving holiday with a guarded hopefulness. After being diagnosed with prostate cancer earlier in May, it was time to get moving on a treatment and I wanted to learn more about proton therapy at Penn Medicine.I was guarded because there were some hurdles to clear. Wanting to have proton therapy and being...

Read More

10 Facts About Pancreatic Cancer

November is National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Pancreatic cancer remains the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Pancreatic cancer is cancer that develops within the pancreas, the gland about six inches long that is responsible for making hormones, including the enzymes responsible for the digestion of food and control of blood sugar.Pancreatic cancer survival rates are poor as more than 90 percent of pancreatic cancer...

Read More

How to Become a Bone Marrow Donor

This is National Marrow Awareness Month. Each year, 10,000 of cancer patients need a bone marrow transplant.* Unfortunately, only half of those patients get one due to a variety of issues, including donor availability.A bone marrow transplant is a life-saving treatment for people with leukemia, lymphoma and many other blood cancers. First these patients undergo chemotherapy and sometimes radiation to destroy their diseased marrow. Then a donor's...

Read More

Research Shows Yoga is More Than Just Physical Postures

Sat Bir S. Khalsa, Ph.DSat Bir S. Khalsa, Ph.D. recently presented “Yoga Research: Past, Present and Future” to the Integrative Oncology Working Group of Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center. Dr. Khalsa is an assistant professor of medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School. Khalsa provided an overview of the evolving field of yoga research, especially in the areas of stress management and the use of yoga as a therapeutic intervention....

Read More

Squash the Cigarettes – National Smokeout Day

Today is the Great American Smokeout. It’s a day many people who smoke use as their quit date. It’s also a day to remind everyone about the dangers of smoking, and how by even quitting for one day, people who smoke can take an important step in a healthier lifestyle. How to Quit SmokingIf you are looking for ways to quit smoking or tobacco use, the Comprehensive Smoking Cessation Treatment at Penn Medicine can help you quit for good. If you want...

Read More

Lower Lung Cancer Risk With These Foods

Carly Roop RD, CSO, is a registered dietitian at the Joan Karnell Cancer Center (JKCC). She provides nutrition education and support to patients while addressing nutrition-related side effects from chemotherapy and radiation. Dietitians at JKCC provide educational nutrition programs that are open to patients as well as the community.The American Institute of Cancer Research found compelling evidence that a diet high in fruit can lower lung cancer...

Read More

Brooke Burke Announces Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis

Actress and Dancing with the Stars co-host Brooke Burke-Charvet announced this week she has thyroid cancer. The 41-year-old mother of four says she will have a thyroidectomy, or surgery to remove her thyroid. Thyroid cancer is cancer that occurs in the thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland located in the throat just under the “Adam’s apple.” The thyroid gland is responsible for producing, storing and secreting hormones that regulate functions within...

Read More

Free Yoga at the Abramson Cancer Center

Relax and renew the body, mind and spirit with free yoga sessions at the Abramson Cancer Center. We are pleased to announce that free yoga sessions will be held at the Abramson Cancer Center every Tuesday and Thursday from 2 to 3 pm in the Patient and Family Services Conference Room at the Perelman Center. All levels are welcome from beginners with no experience to those who have practiced yoga for years. This is a very gentle and supportive class...

Read More

Learning More About Lung Cancer in the Lab

Christine Wilson, cancer survivor, shares her experiences from the Abramson Cancer Center’s 2012- Focus on Lung Cancer Conference. In this blog, she discusses how basic science research can bring about new treatments for lung cancer. "The answer lies in our DNA--the blueprint for life." Steven Abeida, MDBasic science research is complex, but very important because it teaches researchers about how cancer cells grow and respond to treatment. One way findings from basic science is translating into treatments for lung cancer is through personalized...

Read More

What You Need To Know About Nicotine Addiction

Frank T. Leone, MD, MS, associate professor of medicine, is director of the Comprehensive Smoking Treatment Program at Penn Medicine. You can listen to Dr. Leone talk more about smoking-related health complications and how those who smoke find it hard to quit – even with the growing trend against smoking in public locations. My patients are people who smoke, but know they should stop. They often try to tell me how it feels. They describe feeling...

Read More

Translating Research to Treatment for Lung Cancer

Christine Wilson, cancer survivor, shares her experiences from the Abramson Cancer Center’s 2012- Focus on Lung Cancer Conference. In this blog, she discusses how the new treatments for lung cancer come about from research in the lab."We have a phenomenal interdisciplinary research program in lung cancer. It's really unique to Penn Medicine. We bring together the experts from every field, and our patients are always the center of everything we...

Read More

Focus On: Leukemia, Lymphoma, Myeloma and Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplantation Conference

Join the Abramson Cancer Center and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Friday, November 16 for a free conference about leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and bone marrow and stem cell transplantation. Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma are cancers that start in blood-forming tissues such as bone marrow. Who Should Attend?This conference is for people who are newly diagnosed, in treatment, long-term survivors, or a parent, caregiver or loved one of someone with:Leukemia,...

Read More

Coping with Breast Cancer- Fear, Uncertainty and Insensitive Comments

Colleen Bronstein is a melanoma and breast cancer survivor, mother, artist, entrepreneur and a contributor to the Focus On Cancer blog. After her melanoma diagnosis in 1999, Colleen started her own business, Sun Threadz, which promotes skin cancer awareness and protection with clothing designed to protect skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Breast cancer – these are two words that can strike fear in the heart of every woman out there. Fear so...

Read More

What is Pancreatic Cancer?

Carly Roop RD, CSO, is a registered dietitian at the Joan Karnell Cancer Center (JKCC). She provides nutrition education and support to patients while addressing nutrition-related side effects from chemotherapy and radiation. Dietitians at JKCC provide educational nutrition programs that are open to patients as well as the community.For many, the first time they heard about pancreatic cancer may have been when celebrity, Patrick Swayze or Apple CEO,...

Read More

A Survivor's Perspective: A Grain of Salt

Donna-Lee ListaDonna-Lee Lista is a lung cancer survivor and an advocate for lung cancer research. In this blog, she talks about nutrition and prevention advice… and why sometimes, you just have to take all the advice with a grain of salt. Who does all the research about what foods you should and shouldn’t eat to avoid cancer? I’ve often questioned how accurate all this nonsense is. Then again can nonsense be accurate? I really get a kick...

Read More

Know Your Options for Prostate Cancer Treatment at Penn

In his "Open Letter to the Newly Diagnosed" prostate cancer survivor, Bill Barbour did a lot of research about his treatment options for prostate cancer. He had proton therapy for prostate cancer at Penn, and today, he advises other prostate cancer survivors to know their treatment options for prostate cancer.Men can get a first, second, and third opinions all in one place at Penn Medicine's Abramson Cancer Center. After a complete evaluation, we'll work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan, with all your options under one roof.Penn...

Read More