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Read our latest stories on the people and scientific innovations making a difference in patients’ lives.
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month 2020
Meet KarenMarch is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and Pfizer is working to raise awareness of metastatic colorectal cancer and the importance of biomarker testing.Only four months after her husband passed away from cancer, Karen was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Karen had been previously misdiagnosed before her doctors decided to do a colonoscopy, and following that, she found out she had rectal cancer.Shortly after her diagnosis, Karen underwent biomarker testing. Tests revealed that...
Improving Metastatic Breast Cancer Care for Underserved Populations
Globally, breast cancer continues to be the most common invasive cancer in women, and one of the most common forms of cancer overall.1 While significant advances have been achieved, especially in metastatic disease, challenges beyond treatments remain, especially disparities created by structural, socioeconomic, socio-environmental, and biological factors. A recent 2021 publication reveals both the challenges facing underserved patient populations with metastatic breast cancer (mBC) in Europe...
Understanding Healthcare Disparities in Colorectal Cancer
In the United States, an estimated 147,950 people were diagnosed with cancer of the colon or rectum in 2020. It is one of the most highly diagnosed cancers in the US, with 12 percent of cases diagnosed in people under the age of 50.[i] Additionally, more than 20 percent of Americans with colorectal cancer have metastatic disease at diagnosis. Metastatic disease means the cancer has already begun to spread to other parts of the body.[ii] The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed flaws within healthcare...
Know the Mutational Status of Your Cancer: Biomarker Testing in Metastatic Melanoma and Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with metastatic melanoma or metastatic colorectal cancer, chances are you’ve had to familiarize yourself with a lot of new terms and complicated concepts. One term you may not have heard before is “biomarker.” As researchers learn more about how cancer cells develop, grow, and spread, more attention is being paid to the role biomarkers play in these processes. For patients, undergoing biomarker testing helps their doctor/healthcare team determine whether or not...
6 Ways to Help Manage Stress After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Pfizer’s Chief Patient Officer, Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall, is partnering with other top health experts for the best tips on how to Get Healthy, Stay Healthy. Originally posted on Thrive Global.When you’re faced with a breast cancer diagnosis, stress levels can quickly reach an all-time high. Uncertainties about the future, worrying about treatment plans, balancing work, finances, and the sheer number of questions that occupy your mind can all play a role in building up this stress. And while there’s...
Discussing Cancer With Your Doctor
When faced with a cancer diagnosis, you need to find a doctor with whom you feel comfortable and can speak openly. But just what should you and your doctor talk about? Knowing what questions to ask can help you feel prepared for your doctor visits. While it may take more than one visit to ensure that all of your concerns are addressed, making a list of your questions in advance can help you get the answers you need. Create your discussion guide Read over the following list of questions, then...
Breast Self-Exams: Should You Do Them?
For many years, we women were told to examine our breasts at least monthly to check for signs of breast cancer. In medical school, my fellow students and I learned how to teach our patients to examine their breasts. It’s a multi-step process that takes several minutes – checking your breasts in the shower, in the mirror, lying on your back (maybe you’ve seen diagram-heavy brochures -- still a staple in many college and community health centers). But in recent years, some medical organizations...
What You Need to Know About Sunscreen
More than 2 million people in the US are diagnosed with skin cancer every year. Unprotected skin exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can also lead to several other adverse health effects, such as sunburn, premature skin aging, eye damage, and weakened immune system. The American Cancer Society states that simply staying in the shade is one of the best ways to limit exposure to UV radiation. However, if you are in the sun, it is recommended that you cover up with clothing, hat and sunglasses...
What Do You Really Know About Metastatic Breast Cancer?
As a public health initiative, breast cancer awareness has been generally successful. Patients, families, physicians, and advocates have worked diligently to make the disease better understood and synonymous with strength, survivorship and scientific breakthrough. With improved screening efforts and increasing numbers of available therapies, breast cancer is often discovered and treated in early-stage; as a result, a steady increase has occurred over the past 30 years in survival rates for...
Living with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)
Chronic myeloid (or myelogenous) leukemia (CML) is one of four main types of leukemia that can affect adults. These 4 types of leukemia are classified as either myeloid or lymphocytic based on the type of cells affected, and either acute or chronic. The chronic forms of leukemia tend to take longer to develop than the acute forms of leukemia; and therefore, people with chronic leukemia can live with the disease for many years.But there are some important things to know in order to manage life...
Breast Cancer in the Workplace
Except for some kinds of skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the U.S. According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 8 (12%) women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer during her lifetime. Though possibly due to earlier detection and improved treatments, there is a slight decline in death from breast cancer in recent decades. Currently, there are more than 2.8 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S.With increased detection and survivorship, many...
What to Ask a Doctor about a New Treatment or Diagnosis
Sometimes getting a new diagnosis from your doctor can be a scary experience. It may be a surprise and—depending on the medical problem—it can impact the rest of your life. Make sure you talk with your doctor and ask key questions to ensure that you fully understand your medical diagnosis and treatment options. Questions for Your Doctor There are some general questions you may ask your doctor when you are given a new diagnosis or recommendation for a new treatment. Remember the 5Ws and an H...
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