Cancer - August 2014 Archives

ROCHESTER, Minn. — The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has awarded Jan Buckner, M.D., a five-year, $47.5 million grant to lead the NCI’s National Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) research base for the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology. Dr. Buckner is deputy director for cancer practice at the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center in Rochester, where the Alliance research base will be located. NCORP is a national network of cancer investigators, cancer care providers, academic institutions and other organizations that provide care to diverse populations in community-based health care practices across the United States. NCORP will design and conduct trials to improve cancer prevention, cancer control, screening and post-treatment management. The Alliance research base at Mayo Clinic Cancer Center in Minnesota will be one of seven research bases across the country that will design and conduct multicenter cancer clinical trials and cancer care delivery research. NCORP hubs will also provide overall administration, data management, scientific leadership and regulatory compliance for the NCORP program. MEDIA CONTACT: Joe Dangor, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, newsbureau@mayo.edu

THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES Fitting in fitness: Finding time for physical activity You know fitness is important, but making time to exercise can be tough. Try these tips for fitting more physical activity into your day. Cancer prevention: 7 tips to reduce your risk Simple lifestyle changes can make a big difference in helping prevent cancer. Find out what you can do, starting today. Heart disease in women: Understand symptoms and risk factors Heart disease is often thought of as a problem for men. But more women than men die of heart disease each year. Learn the risks and how to protect yourself. EXPERT ANSWERS Diabetes: Does alcohol and tobacco use increase my risk? Find out how your risk of type 2 diabetes increases with smoking and drinking. Demyelinating disease: What causes it? Demyelinating diseases, which include multiple sclerosis, result in neurological problems. Learn the causes. Caffeine: Is it dehydrating or not? Caffeinated drinks usually won't dehydrate you, but water is still your best option. Click here to get a free e-subscription to the Housecall newsletter.

Caring Canines: Receive support from a four-legged friend With pet-assisted therapy, find out how a furry friend can provide you with love and help ...

ROCHESTER, Minn. – Needle-guided tumor destruction procedures offer near equivalent lengths of local cancer control compared to surgery for patients with small kidney cancer tumors, according to the results of a large study published in the journal European Urology. “If validated, these data suggest that an update to clinical guidelines would be warranted,” says the study’s lead author, R. Houston Thompson, M.D., a Mayo Clinic urologist. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5C2wnXllMY Dr. Thompson says radical nephrectomy – surgical removal of the entire kidney – has historically been the standard of care for management of kidney cancer; however, partial nephrectomy – surgical removal of tumors from a kidney while sparing healthy tissue –has become increasingly more common because of its nephron-sparing benefits and similar cancer control. The nephron is the part of the kidney that filters out toxins from the blood. “We undertook this study because direct comparisons of outcomes among patients with kidney cancer who have received partial nephrectomy (PN), radiofrequency ablation (RFA) – tumor destruction using intense heat and cryoablation – tumor destruction using extreme cold – are lacking, especially from institutions that routinely perform all three of these procedures,” Dr. Thompson says. Journalists: Sound bites with Dr. Thompson are available in the downloads. MEDIA CONTACT: Joe Dangor, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, newsbureau@mayo.edu.

Chemotherapy side effects: A cause of heart disease? Chemotherapy side effects may include an increased risk of heart disease, especially cardiomyopathy. Get the facts. ...

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — Kootenai Health and Mayo Clinic leaders today announced Kootenai Health as a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, a national network of like-minded organizations that share a commitment to better serving patients and their families. The network, which began in 2011, now includes 30 member organizations that are interested in working with Mayo Clinic to improve health care delivery by sharing knowledge and promoting collaboration between physicians. As part of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, Kootenai Health physicians now have access to Mayo Clinic’s knowledge and expertise when these additional resources will be helpful, allowing many patients to avoid unnecessary travel for answers to complex medical questions. “We are working with Mayo Clinic so our patients can benefit from leading medical expertise and physician collaboration without having to leave home,” says Jon Ness, Kootenai Health CEO. “Our two organizations share the same commitment that health care should be provided close to home whenever possible.” Mayo Clinic Care Network members have a close working relationship with Mayo Clinic and access to tools and services that promote collaboration and serve to complement provider expertise, including: eConsults to allow network physicians to connect electronically with Mayo Clinic specialists when they want additional input regarding a patient’s care. AskMayoExpert to provide point-of-care information compiled by Mayo physicians on disease management, care guidelines, treatment recommendations and reference materials for a wide variety of medical conditions. eTumor Board Conferences to allow physicians to present and discuss management of complex cancer cases with a Mayo Clinic multidisciplinary panel and other members of the network.

THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES Artificial sweeteners and other sugar substitutes Are you trying to reduce the sugar and calories in your diet? Find out if artificial sweeteners and other sugar substitutes are good choices. Colon cancer screening: Weighing the options If you need a colon cancer screening, you might have the option to choose which kind to have. Discover pros and cons of the different tests. EXPERT ANSWERS Does family history put my toddler at risk of eosinophilic esophagitis? Family history increases the chance of developing eosinophilic esophagitis, but there are other risk factors. Low blood sodium in older adults: A concern? For older adults, low blood sodium (hyponatremia) can be fatal if left untreated. Click here to get a free e-subscription to the Housecall newsletter.