Former Olympic Athlete and Coach Leads Funding Effort for Cancer Vaccines

“We are not a charity. We are a crusade to rid the world of cancer— one vaccine at a time.” - Uschi Keszler, founder and CEO of Pennies in Action. October will be another busy month for Pennies in Action(R), the non-profit whose mission is to educate, advocate, and fund research, development, and trials for Penn Medicine breast surgeon Brian Czerniecki, MD, and the work he is doing for breast cancer vaccines. October's fundraising events kick off...

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Join the 2nd Annual Namas Day Yoga Festival

The Second Annual Namas Day is a Philadelphia Area Yoga Festival. Sponsored in part by the Abramson Cancer Center, this full day of workshops, master classes, and information exchange will bring together yogis from all over the Greater Philadelphia Area.Date: Sunday, October 6th, 2013Location: Wayne Art CenterYoga and CancerGentle movement, breathing techniques, meditation, deep relaxation and imagery work to guide patients to an energized yet calm...

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Types of Radiation Treatment for Prostate Cancer

At Penn, men with prostate cancer have access to new and advanced treatment options and ongoing clinical trials in radiation therapy including proton therapy. As part of Penn Medicine's commitment to advancing cancer care in patients, radiation oncologists are also researching how radiation treatment affects the quality of life for cancer patients.These are some types of radiation therapy that may be used to treat prostate cancer.Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) uses frequent imaging during a course of...

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Prostate Cancer, Surgery and Treatment Options at Penn Medicine

Surgery may be an option for many men with prostate cancer. In some prostate cancer cases, a radical prostatectomy, removal of the prostate gland, is needed.Penn is a national leader in surgical treatment of prostate cancer and its surgeons are at the forefront of developing and using new minimally invasive surgical techniques. Benefits of minimally invasive surgical techniques include:Smaller incisions/less scarringSignificantly less painLess blood...

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Living Well After Childhood Cancer

If there is any good news about childhood cancer, and childhood cancer diagnoses, it’s that more and more children are doing well after a cancer diagnosis. In fact, three fourths of the 12,000 young people diagnosed with cancer under the age of 18 each year are expected to have excellent outcomes. As more children with cancer have better results, the number of adults who had cancer as a child continues to rise. This exciting result reflects the efforts...

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Breast and Ovarian Cancer Symposium 9/30 in NYC with Basser Center for BRCA

As one in a series of Jewish community educational events, Penn Medicine’s Basser Research Center for BRCA is collaborating with Central Synagogue in New York City to sponsor the Breast & Ovarian Cancer Symposium on Monday, September 30, 2013 from 6 to 8 pmInherited Breast & Ovarian Cancer: Why Jewish Families Are at Heightened RiskThe symposium will focus on the Ashkenazi Jewish population's increased chances of carrying a mutation in the...

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The PSA Test, and Options for Prostate Cancer Treatment at Penn

The prostate gland produces a protein called prostate-stimulating antigen, or PSA.Often, PSA levels will begin to rise before there are any symptoms of prostate cancer. Sometimes, an abnormal digital rectal exam may be the only sign of prostate cancer (even if the PSA is normal). If you have an elevated PSA, your doctor may have recommended a biopsy to tell if you have prostate cancer.Many men who come to Penn's Abramson Cancer Center have already...

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Blood Cancer News from ASCO 2013

Christine Wilson, cancer survivor, shares her experiences from the The American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) national conference in 2013. Every year,  cancer specialists and researchers from around the world gather to present their latest findings on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of science. At a recent continuing medical education meeting, experts from the Abramson Cancer Center summarized some of the most important research...

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Prostate Cancer, Risk, Assessment and Treatment at Penn

What is Prostate Cancer?The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system located just below the bladder. The prostate is small, about the size of a walnut, and it produces fluid found in semen. Prostate cancer is a disease in which cancerous (malignant) cells form in the tissues of the prostate.Prostate cancer is the third most common cause of cancer death in men over 75. Prostate cancer is rarely found in men younger than 50. Prostate...

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Penn Medicine's Fall Festival at Valley Forge

Cancer prevention is about making healthier choices that can help your body fight off diseases like cancer. On Saturday, September 21, 2013, meet with Penn Medicine doctors and dieticians to discuss how to stay healthy and prevent cancer a the 3rd Annual Penn Medicine Valley Forge Fall Festival. During this FREE program you will:Learn about cancer risk, prevention and screening.Hear how to stay fit and cancer-free in your 20s, 30s,40s, 50s and older.Get...

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Go the Distance For Childhood Cancer Awareness

Erica Voll is a Philadelphia-area blogger. In this article, she discusses National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and how she, along with other Philadelphia-area bloggers, are logging miles to raise awareness with Alex's Lemonade Stand. September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. And throughout the entire month, I, along with other Delaware Valley bloggers, am joining Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation to go the distance with the...

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Focus on Mesothelioma: A Mesothelioma Conference for Patients and Caregivers

Join Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center  a day of information about mesothelioma and pleural disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention as well as a chance to meet others  at the 5th Annual Focus On Mesothelioma Conference. Get information about mesothelioma and these topics:Ask the expertsDiagnosisChemo and personalized therapiesCopingIntegrative medicine and wellnessNutritionRadiation therapy for mesotheliomaResearch and clinical...

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Focus on Adult Brain Cancer: A Free Conference for Patients and Caregivers

The Focus On Brain Cancer: Discovery to Recovery conference is sponsored by the Abramson Cancer Center.The Focus On Brain Cancer conference is for adults who are newly diagnosed, in treatment of survivors of brain cancer. At this conference, adults with brain cancer will gain knowledge and take action by learning important information from faculty at Penn Medicine. Patients will also be able to network with other adults who have brain cancer.Who...

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Swallowing My Cancer Treatment - Radioactivity in a Pill

Born to Greek immigrant parents on the bicentennial, Dimitrios Donavos, 37, of Silver Spring, MD was diagnosed with papillary carcinoma in May of 2006. A cycling enthusiast, an activity he took up at a young age as a counterweight to his mother's culturally driven need to overfeed him, he is grateful to be cancer free today and recently participated in the 2013 LIVESTRONG Challenge. In this blog, he remembers the radioactive treatment for thyroid...

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Penn Medicine's Basser Research Center for BRCA Brings Mission Into Synagogues Across The United States

This summer, Penn Medicine's Basser Research Center for BRCA reached out to more than 1,500 Jewish congregations around the United States to promote awareness around BRCA gene mutations which are frequently recognized as risk factors for Breast and Ovarian Cancer.  Penn Medicine hopes to encourage discussion around increased incidences of BRCA mutations among people of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry this High Holiday season.The Basser Research Center...

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Cancer Awareness Month for September: Thyroid Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Previvor Week

September is thyroid and prostate cancer awareness month. Previvor week is also in September Be sure to subscribe to the Focus On Cancer blog and like the Abramson Cancer Center Facebook page for more information on thyroid and prostate cancer throughout the entire month, as well as Previvor week. At a Glance: Thyroid Cancer There are four main types of thyroid cancer: Papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic thyroid cancer.Thyroid cancer is the fastest increasing cancer among men and women today. There is no known cure for advanced stage...

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Cancer Awareness Month for September: Leukemia, Myeloma, Ovarian Cancer

September is leukemia, myeloma, and ovarian cancer awareness month. Be sure to subscribe to the Focus On Cancer blog and like the Abramson Cancer Center Facebook page for more information on leukemia, myeloma, and ovarian cancer throughout the entire month. At a Glance: LeukemiaLeukemia is a cancer of the blood or blood cells, and is categorized by how quickly they progress and which cells they affect. Cigarette smokers are at a higher risk for acute myelogenous leukemia because it increased their exposure to the chemical benzene. There are around...

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Cancer Awareness Month for September: Childhood Cancer, Gynecologic Cancer, Hodgkin Lymphoma

September is childhood cancer, gynecologic cancer, and Hodgkin lymphoma awareness month.Be sure to subscribe to the Focus On Cancer blog and like the Abramson Cancer Center Facebook page for more information on childhood, gynecologic, and Hodgkin lymphoma cancers throughout the entire month. At a Glance: Childhood CancerAlthough survival rates have improved over the last 30 years by more than 50 percent, cancer is still the second leading cause of death in children. In 2013, an estimated 10,000 children will be diagnosed with cancer; 1,500 will...

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Fall Mindfulness-Based Stress Management Programs at Penn

Whether you’re returning to a “back-to-school” schedule with your kids, or just getting back to a routine after summer vacations and getaways, the fall is a great time to find new balance, and take moments to get on track with work, school and fun with your family. The Penn Program for Mindfulness is a mindfulness-based stress management program that teaches you how to use meditation as the primary tool for long-term stress management. Mindfulness...

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