Download Oral Chemotherapy Parity Bill Good News for cancer patients

Nanoparticles Carry Two Drugs to Separate Parts of Cancer
Cells for More Effective Treatment
Science Daily reports that researchers have developed a
technique for creating nanoparticles that carry two different
cancer-killing drugs into the body and deliver those drugs to
separate parts of the cancer cell where they will be most effective.
Preliminary testing showed significant improvement in breast
cancer tumor reduction as compared to conventional treatment
techniques.
Studies Investigate Treatment Side Effects
According to U.S. News and World Report, results of a small trial
led by Komen Scholar Dr. Patricia Ganz suggest that when it
comes to easing the side effects of aromatase inhibitors,
acupuncture may work no better than a “sham” version of the
technique. The results suggest that any benefit from the
real acupuncture sessions resulted from a placebo effect.
Another study which looked into the side effects of breast cancer
treatment has identified factors associated with painone year after
breast cancer surgery including preoperative pain, chemotherapy,
preoperative depression and pain in the area to be
operated. Science Codex reports on the study.
Study Looks at Radiotherapy Compliance
Science Codex reports that a new study published in the Journal
of the National Cancer Institute has found that women who are 50
years or younger are less likely to receive radiotherapy after
breast-conserving surgery, especially those having at least one
child under 7 years old. Although treatment patterns among older
breast cancer patients have been well-studied, factors affecting
non-compliance among younger women are not well-known.
A Look at the Fight against Cancer
In a new article, The New York Times takes a look at the
progress that has been made in the fight against cancer. The
piece points out that while we may have far to go to eradicate
cancer completely, significant steps have been made to reduce
mortality from many types of cancer and to more effectively treat
many early-stage cancers, and that advances in science will
continue.
Guidelines to Address Menopause Symptoms
Updated guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians
and Gynecologists outline options for women suffering
from menopause symptoms. The guidelines suggest that there
is growing evidence that antidepressants can help, and maintain
that hormone therapy is currently the most effective option.
Experts explain that hormone use declined following a large U.S.
trial called the Women’s Health Initiative which linked hormone
use to increased risks of blood clots, heart attack and breast
cancer. However, they advise that for some women, this may still
be a safe option. Health Day reports on the guidelines.
Addressing the Mortality Gap in Memphis and across the U.S.
A new article in The New York Times takes a look at the significant
mortality gap between black women and white women who are
diagnosed with breast cancer. One recent study analyzed this disparity
in greater detail, revealing that Tennessee – specifically Memphis –
has the widest survival gap among these two groups. Local officials
realized that one key issue is that many black women in Memphis do
not seek health care upon noticing a health issue. So, with help from a
grant from Komen Memphis-Midsouth, a local hospital system formed
the Congregational Health Network, reaching patients who may
otherwise shy away from medical care with breast cancer information
during Sunday church services. Read more about the steps Memphis
clinicians and local leaders are taking to address this gap.
Angelina Jolie News Has Not Impacted Knowledge of Breast
Cancer Risk
Businessweek, Medical Xpress and others report that a new study
published in Genetics in Medicine has found that Angelina Jolie’s
preventive double mastectomy, which the actress described in an
editorial in the New York Times in May, didn’t appear to improve
understanding of breast cancer risk. The survey of more than 2,500
Americans found that three out of four were aware of Jolie's story, but
fewer than 10 percent of those could correctly answer questions about
the BRCA gene mutation and the typical person's risk of developing
breast cancer.
Oral Chemotherapy Parity Bill
Good News for cancer patients! Before the holidays, SB 99—the
Cancer Treatment Modernization bill—received unanimous support
from members of the Senate Insurance and Financial Institutions
Committee. Historically, chemotherapy drugs have been primarily
administered intravenously. Today, thanks to progress in cancer
treatments, there are many types of chemotherapy that can be taken
as a liquid, tablet, or capsule. And many of these therapies are the
only appropriate treatment for certain types of cancer. There are many
advantages to these new forms of treatment including a less invasive
method of therapy, an alternative for patients who have trouble
responding to other treatments, and improved quality of life.
While research and technology continues to change the nature of
medical treatment for serious diseases like cancer, many healthcare
benefit plans have not adapted to ensure patient access. As a result,
cancer patients face significantly higher out-of-pocket costs simply
because their treatment is dispensed orally rather than intravenously.
SB 99 would ensure that cancer patients are not disadvantaged if the
best course of treatment recommended by the physician is oral
chemotherapy treatment. SB 99 just passed out of committee. We
need your help to thank your local Senator and ensure the
momentum in favor of SB 99 continues. If you know of anyone
affected, contact Julie.
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BC101 Training
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February 25 , 2014, 5:30- 6:30 pm
Or contact
[email protected]
to complete online training instead
On December 17 , a Komen Ambassador Update and Meet and Greet was held at our
offices. We covered health literacy, the helpline, community profile, our new survivorship
steering committee, updates on other affiliate events, the Affordable Care Act, how to hold
your own events, and updates on materials and research. We’ll hold updates such as this
2-3 times a year. All KAs will need to attend at least one update a year.
We’ve launched a new newsletter specifically tailored for survivors. If you or someone you
know would like to be subscribed, please e-mail us at [email protected].
Communications Committee
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February 4 , 2014
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March 4 , 2014
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April 1 , 2014
7:30 am, Cup of Joe Lennox
Race Committee
If you're interested in joining the
Race committee, contact
[email protected]
Don’t forget to register for the 2014
race here, and make sure to
fundraise and maximize what we can
accomplish in our mission!
The Lecture Series was produced through a partnership between the Komen Scholars,
Komen’s scientific advisory group of distinguished scholars and leaders in breast cancer
research and the Advocates in Science, an inclusive community of dedicated volunteer
research advocates who are passionate about breast cancer research. To revisit, share,
or view for the first time, the following webinars are available for streaming:
Komen Tissue Bank
The Science of Breast Density
Breast Cancer and the Environment
Disparities in Breast Cancer Outcomes
The Impact of Metastasis in Breast Cancer
February is National Cancer
Prevention Month
Bowl for the Cure @ Star Lanes,
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February 9 , check website for
details
This month on Komen TV: As 2013 comes
to a close, we take a look back at some of
your favorite Komen TV stories including
one Komen researcher's very personal
battle against breast cancer. Plus,
highlights from one of the most moving
international mission trips this year.
Dr. Eric Winder, Chief Scientific Advisor for Susan G. Komen, makes comments at the
San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
The past 30 years have seen many advances in the treatment of breast cancer. One of
the most important has been the development of drugs that target HER2/neu-positive
breast cancers. Before the drug trastuzumab (Herceptin)was developed, prognosis was
poor for HER2/neu-positive breast cancers. Today, trastuzumab and other drugs have
dramatically improved the prognosis of HER2/neu-positive breast cancers. People with
HER2/neu-positive breast cancers now have many effective treatment options. These
drugs demonstrate the power of targeted therapy for breast cancer and offer the hope of
future drug discoveries. Find out more.
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If you haven’t been trained in BC101 yet, the next class is February 25 at our office.
You can also contact Julie to do the training online. After almost a year of BC101
trainings, we’ll start planning our second Refresh Meeting to catch back up on any
updates and give you all a chance to gather, give feedback and hear updates from our
affiliate. There are some big things coming up this year, so stay tuned for a date!
/komencolumbus
/komencolumbus
For any questions about the Komen Ambassadors,
Mission activities, research or education please
contact Julie at [email protected]
or 614-297-8155 x 204.
CancerCare is a great resource for online webinars, free of charge,
covering various topics of interest. Below is a list of workshops you
can listen to at their website:
- Caring for Your Bones When You Have Breast Cancer
- Understanding the Molecular Portrait of Breast Cancer
- Understanding the Affordable Care Act in 2013
- Update on Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)
- Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer