Tiny Genetic Variation Can Predict Ovarian Cancer Outcome

Very exciting news coming out of the Yale Cancer Center!

Yale Cancer Center researchers have shown that a tiny genetic variation predicts chances of survival and response to treatment for patients with ovarian cancer. The findings, published in the journal Oncogene, provide new insights into the biology of a new class of cancer marker and suggest a genetic test may help guide the treatment of women with ovarian cancer.

"This gives us a way to identify which women are at highest risk for resistance to platinum chemotherapy, the standard treatment for ovarian cancer, and helps identify ovarian cancer patients with the worst outcomes," said Joanne Weidhaas, associate professor of therapeutic radiology and senior author of the study. "There just aren't many inherited gene variants than can do that."

Women who possess the biomarker identified by the Yale team -- a variant of the well-known KRAS oncogene -- are three times more resistant to standard platinum chemotherapy than women without the variant. Also, post-menopausal women with the variant are significantly more likely to die from ovarian cancer. About 12-15 percent of Caucasians and 6 percent of African-Americans are born with the variant of the gene, which helps regulate destruction of damaged cells. This variant is found in up to 25% of newly diagnosed ovarian cancer patients.

Although good alternatives to chemotherapy are not yet available for women with ovarian cancer and this variant, several drugs in development which target the KRAS gene and associated pathways have shown great promise, Weidhaas said.

Yale researchers have also found this microRNA variant of the KRAS gene is associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer and lung cancer. Other researchers have found associations with poor outcome in colon as well as head and neck cancers.

In laboratory tests, researchers blocked the variant and significantly reduced growth of ovarian cancer cells. This suggests targeting the variant site may someday help treat cancer in these patients.

The study was funded by the NIH, the National Cancer Institute and the Merkel Foundation.

Read more: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111205082253.htm

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from the Laurel Auto Group!

Holiday Gift Ideas for Women Fighting Cancer

Holidays are about sharing time with family and friends, but for a woman recovering from or undergoing breast or other cancer treatments, she may be spending lots of time in bed or on the couch. Survivor and cancer style expert Lisa Lurie, co-founder of online shopping resource CancerBeGlammed.com, which carefully selects products to help women recover from cancer surgery, chemotherapy and radiation in comfort and style, suggests these great last-minute gifts, to make her feel good and help family and friends share the season together.

· E-Readers and tablets – Lightweight and portable, the perfect gift for use at home or on the go. Download her favorite magazines as a welcome distraction at the doctor’s office, chemo room or at radiation, or download her favorite holiday stories or classic movies to share together. E-Readers also allow users to enlarge font size – perfect for chemo-tired eyes. Great at holiday time or anytime.
· Bed lounge - Ideal for her when the family crawls into bed together to play board games, watch TV or read. Look for those that provide good upper body and arm support. Some even come with side pockets - great for glasses, books and that all important TV remote.
· Electric kettle and tea set – The hot water’s always ready bedside to make hot chocolate for the kids or romantic tea for two. Herbal teas such as ginger and peppermint provide many soothing benefits that help combat the side effects of chemotherapy or radiation such as nausea and stomach upset.
· Mommy & Me Matching Pajamas – The perfect gift for some stylish rest and recover time following chemotherapy or radiation. Soft and comfortable, they make it fun to snuggle up in bed with mom on a cold winter’s night.
· One Bite at a Time cookbook by Rebecca Katz – Turn a great recipe into a memorable family meal. This beautifully illustrated cookbook features recipes for cancer survivors, their friends and family, offering delicious, flavorful meals that are easy-to-digest and help boost the immune system. For the first of Katz’s award winning cookbooks, check out The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen. Bon appétit!

CancerBeGlammed information courtesy of: http://www.pr.com/press-release/377147

In addition to these great ideas here’s a few more from ChooseHope.com:  

The Chemotherapy Gift Tote is the perfect gift for anyone going through treatment. Designed by chemo patients, this re-usable heavyweight Choose Hope Tote includes everything necessary for chemo. It features

•A soft,Plush Blanket in Pink (Pink Passion), Purple (Purple) or Cream (Lime Green) - Perfect for treatment days. 50" x 60", 100% polyester, machine washable.
• The Book "I'd Rather Do Chemo Than Clean Out the Garage" - A humorous look at the chemo journey that is sure to put on smile on someone's face.
• A Tin of Queasy Drops - These are made of all natural ingredients and are doctor recommended for the queasy or nauseous stomach that often accompanies chemo.
• Water Bottle - Bright colored water bottle with the inspirational words "Choose Hope." A great reminder to drink plenty of fluids after treatments. Color may vary.
• Thank You Cards - Meaningful cards designed by Choose Hope for all of the people who do so much. Two each of two different designs with envelopes.

Fight like a girl wristbands. Show your strength!  Fight hard, fight tough...Fight Like a Girl! These popular wristbands are made of durable latex-free silicone.  Wear this wristband in support of women everywhere who are battling cancer!  Adult sizes only with an inside measurement of 7 and 3/4."  Available in all colors except Gold, Orchid, Light Blue, Lavender, and Plum.

What Cancer Cannot Do Mug. Serve your morning coffee with a message! This popular verse is the perfect complement to this great 15 ounce bistro mug.  These inspiring words wrap around in a clean contemporary design.

"What Cancer Cannot Do"

Cancer is so limited...
It cannot cripple love.
It cannot shatter hope.
It cannot corrode faith.
It cannot eat away peace.
It cannot destroy confidence.
It cannot kill friendship.
It cannot shut out memories.
It cannot quench the spirit.
It cannot silence courage.
It cannot reduce eternal life.

These gifts and more can be found at http://www.choosehope.com

Ovarian Cancer: After The Diagnosis

Those diagnosed with ovarian cancer frequently have precious little time to become accustomed to their illness and to adequately digest the information. Instead, they will suddenly find themselves in a whirlwind of activity, running from doctor’s appointment to specialist testing, and before long will find that their day planners are by and large dominated with medical procedures.

To understand what to expect after the diagnosis of ovarian cancer – what happens after the initial diagnosis but perhaps before the surgery – it is important to remember that your doctor will now call in as many team members to participate in your care as possible to assure that you have the highest likelihood of survival.

1.You will most likely meet with a specialist who will take a variety of x-rays. The goal behind these x-rays is to ascertain if the cancer has metastasized and if so, how far.

Usually a chest x-ray will focus on the breast tissues and the lungs, while an intestinal x-ray will seek to ferret out any blockages in the gastrointestinal tract that may be due to tumor growth. This latter test frequently requires that use of a barium enema to provide the adequate light and shade options for maximum visibility of any growths.

2.A CT scan most likely will be next on the list of tests to be run. The goal is a thorough examination of the pelvic area and the surrounding tissues to find any spreading of the tumor and to localize the abnormal cell growth as much as possible.

3.Next will be a colonoscopy which is an instrumental test in determining whether or not a patient suffers from rectal or colon cancer, but in cases of confirmed ovarian cancer it is utilized to rule out any spread of the disease.

4.If it has not already been done, your physician will take a transvaginal ultrasound to determine the extent of the tumors, localize the affected ovary, and estimate the odds of the tumors spreading – or already having spread – to the other ovary.

To be on the safe side, many physicians will suggest a complete hysterectomy even if only one ovary is affected. This test rules out the possibility of a cancer recurrence of the ovary and thus putting your life and health in jeopardy twice, although some women who are hoping to still bear a child will take the risk and only have a unilateral operation.

It is important to not allow yourself to become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tests and nail biting wait times in between testing and results but to remember that now that you have received your diagnosis of ovarian cancer you have a good chance at fighting the disease if indeed you take each and every step possible to get rid of the cancer. Only a concerted action between various specialists will set you up for beating this disease and denying it another life! Enlist the help of trusted friends and family members who will form your support network and make sure you keep each and every doctor’s appointment.

Read more: http://health.ezinemark.com/ovarian-cancer-what-happens-after-the-initial-diagnosis-561333f1f9c.html

What you should know about Gynecologic Cancers

Check out the following, “What you should know about Gynecologic Cancers courtesy of www.upthevolume.org

Gynecologic cancers are often called silent killers because many women are not diagnosed until the later stages of the disease when treatment is less effective.  In many cases early symptoms are not distinct and no reliable early screening test exists.

Gynecologic cancers refer to cancers that affect the female reproductive organs.  These include uterine, cervical, ovarian, fallopian tube, peritoneal, vagina, and vulva cancers. Approximately 77,000 women in the
U.S. are diagnosed with gynecologic cancers each year and about 28,000 will die from them.

Treatment of ovarian, fallopian tube and peritoneal cancers is dependent on the stage and grade of disease. For some patients with disease confined to the ovaries and no spread of disease, no further treatment is
required. Standard recommendations for other patients include surgical removal of any visible spread of the disease, followed by chemotherapy. Chemotherapy may be delivered intravenously or directly into the peritoneal cavity. Alternative treatment plans exist for women who may not be able to tolerate an aggressive surgery due to extensive spread of cancer or to the patient’s poor health.

Patients with Stage I or Stage II disease who undergo surgery and chemotherapy have great than an 80% chance for long-term survival. Unfortunately, 75-80% of women are diagnosed with Stage III or Stage IV disease. Only about 20% of patients with advanced disease can expect a long-term survival.

New cancer treatments are continually being developed and tested against standard therapies. In order for a new drug to become part of standard recommendations it must be proven to be superior to current standards through rigorous clinical trials. In addition to new therapies there are many unanswered controversies in the way Gynecologic Oncologists use known treatments.  These controversies result in treatment decisions that differ from one institution to another based on differences in physician training, philosophy, and beliefs but not on definitive evidence. Until these questions are definitively answered by large-scale clinical trials, women with gynecologic cancers will not be treated uniformly with best clinical practices and therapies.

Information courtesy of and for more information: http://www.upthevolume.org

What To Do If You Suspect Ovarian Cancer

Excellent tips from the Mayo Clinic on what to do if you suspect you have Ovarian Cancer.

Start by making an appointment with your family doctor, general practitioner or a gynecologist if you have any signs or symptoms that worry you. If your primary care doctor suspects you have ovarian cancer, you may be referred to a specialist in female reproductive cancers (gynecologic oncologist). A gynecologic oncologist is an obstetrician and gynecologist (OB-GYN) who has additional training in the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian and other gynecologic cancers.

Because appointments can be brief and there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to be well prepared. Here's some information to help you get ready, and what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do

• Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
• Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
• Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, that you're taking.
• Ask a family member or friend to join you. Sometimes it can be difficult to absorb all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
• Write down questions you want to ask your doctor.

Your time with your doctor may be limited, so preparing a list of questions before your appointment may help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For ovarian cancer, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

• What's the most likely cause of my symptoms?
• Are there any other possible causes for my symptoms?
• What kinds of tests do I need?
• What type of ovarian cancer do I have?
• What types of treatments are available, and what kinds of side effects can I expect?
• What do you feel is the best course of action?
• What is my prognosis?
• If I still want to have children, what options are available to me?
• Will I have to stop working?
• I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
• Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
• Should I see a specialist? What will that cost, and will my insurance cover it?
• Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What websites do you recommend?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:

• When did you begin experiencing symptoms?
• Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
• How severe are your symptoms?
• Does anything seem to improve your symptoms?
• Does anything appear to worsen your symptoms?
• Do you have any relatives with ovarian or breast cancer? Are there other cancers in your family history?

Article courtesy of: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ovarian-cancer/DS00293/DSECTION=preparing-for-your-appointment

What's New in Ovarian Cancer Research?

There is a lot of research being conducted on ovarian cancer. Read more about all the different approaches that researchers are taking:

Risk factors and causes


Researchers continue to study the genes involved in ovarian cancer -- how they normally work and how changes can lead to cancer. In the future, this research could lead to new drugs to prevent and treat certain types of ovarian cancer.


Prevention


New knowledge about how much BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene changes increase ovarian cancer risk is helping women make decisions about prevention. For instance, there are mathematical models that help estimate how many years of life an average woman with a BRCA gene change might gain by having both ovaries and fallopian tubes removed to prevent ovarian cancer from starting. But it should be kept in mind that although doctors can predict the average outcome of a group of many women, they still can't predict the outcome for any one woman.


Other studies are testing new drugs to reduce ovarian cancer risk. Researchers are always looking for clues such as lifestyle, diet, and medicines that may alter the risk of ovarian cancer.


Finding ovarian cancer early


Better methods for finding ovarian cancer early could have a great impact on the cure rate. A national "bank" for blood and tissue samples from women with ovarian cancer is being set up. This will allow researchers to look for patterns of blood proteins in women with ovarian cancer. This might help them find new ways to screen for ovarian cancer.


Two large studies of screening tests were done in the United States and the United Kingdom. Both studies looked at using the CA-125 blood test along with ovarian ultrasound to find ovarian cancer. These studies have found early cancers in some women. But it is not known whether the outcomes for these women have been improved compared with women who haven't had the screening.


A test called OVA1 is meant to be used in women who have an ovarian tumor. It measures the levels of certain proteins in the blood. The levels of these proteins, when looked at together, are used to put women with tumors into 2 groups: low risk and high risk. The women who are labeled low risk are not likely to have cancer. The women who are called high risk are more likely to have a cancer, and so should have surgery done by an expert (a gynecologic oncologist). This test is NOT a screening test - it is only meant for use in women who have an ovarian tumor.


Tumor markers


Some women with epithelial ovarian cancer have normal levels of the tumor marker CA125. In these women, the only way to tell whether treatment is working (or to see if the cancer has come back) is to do tests like CT scans. Experts have found that in many women with ovarian cancer, the blood level of a protein called HE4 is increased. If you have ovarian cancer and a normal CA125 level, your doctor may decide to check the HE4 level. If it is high, it can be used instead of CA125 to guide treatment.


Treatment


Research into treatment includes testing methods now in use as well as finding new treatments.


New chemo combinations which may help treat cancers that resist current treatments are always being studied. Studies are also looking at using targeted therapy drugs to fight ovarian cancer.


There are enzymes that have been found that act to control cell survival and cell death. Drugs that work against these enzymes help fight cancers caused by mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2. These drugs may make cancers in women without BRCA mutations respond better to radiation treatment and some kinds of chemo. Clinical trials are in going on to find out whether these drugs will improve outcomes for ovarian cancers in women without BRCA mutations.


Other treatments are being studied. These include ways to slow down the growth of the cancer cells. Another approach is to make tumor vaccines that program the immune system to better spot cancer cells. Also, monoclonal antibodies that find and attack ovarian cancer cells are being developed. Monoclonal antibodies are like the antibodies our bodies make to fight infection. But these are made in the lab and are aimed at the cancer cells.


Treatments that are given after first line therapy to prevent the cancer from coming back (this is called consolidation therapy) are being studied in clinical trials. Some of these on-going studies are testing chemo, growth factor inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies.

Read more http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/OvarianCancer/OverviewGuide/ovarian-cancer-overview-new-research

What To Do (And Not Do) When Someone You Work With Has Cancer

When someone you know has cancer, it can be difficult to know what to say or how to act. You feel like no matter what you say, it will be the wrong thing: either you were flippant and said something insensitive, or you were so focused on the disease that you made the person uncomfortable. When all of this is happening in a work setting, with deadlines, priorities, and obligations in the mix, it can be even more difficult.

When you don't know how to act, use this handy list of basic do`s and don`ts to help you out:

DO:

• Take your cues from the person with cancer. Some people are very private while others will talk more about their illness. Respect the person's need to share or their need for privacy.
• Let them know that you care.
• Respect their decisions about how their cancer will be treated, even if you disagree.
• Include the person with cancer in usual work projects and social events. Let him or her be the one to tell you if the commitment is too much to manage.
• Listen without always feeling that you have to respond. Sometimes a caring listener is what the person needs the most.
• Expect your colleague to have good days and bad days, emotionally and physically.
• Keep your relationship as normal and balanced as possible. While greater patience and compassion are called for during times like these, your colleague should continue to respect your feelings, as you respect his or her feelings.
• Offer to help in concrete, specific ways 
• Check before doing something for your co-worker, no matter how helpful you think you are being.
• Keep them up-to-date with what's happening at work.
• Send cards, and include anecdotes about why they are missed. If people send individual cards, they may have more impact.

DON'T:

• Offer advice they don't ask for, or be judgmental.
• Assume that he or she can't do the job. Your co-worker needs to feel like a valuable, contributing member of your company or department.
• Feel you must put up with serious displays of temper or mood swings. You shouldn't accept disruptive or abusive behavior just because someone is ill.
• Take things too personally. It's normal for your co-worker to be quieter than usual, to need time alone, and to be angry at times.
• Be afraid to talk about the illness.
• Always feel you have to talk about cancer. Your colleague may enjoy conversations that don't involve the illness.
• Be afraid to hug or touch your friend if that was a part of your friendship before the illness.
• Be patronizing. (Try not to use a "How sick are you today?" tone when asking how he or she is doing.)
• Tell your co-worker, "I can imagine how you must feel," because you really can't.

Source: http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/UnderstandingYourDiagnosis/TalkingaboutCancer/WhenSomeoneYouWorkWithHasCancer/when-someone-you-work-with-has-cancer-basic-dos-and-donts 

Listen to the Whispers

Every year, more than 21,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer and 14,600 women will die from the disease. In fact, the American Cancer Society reports that ovarian cancer is the fifth leading
cause of cancer-related deaths for women ages 35 – 74. But when ovarian cancer is diagnosed and treated in its early stages, the 5-year survival rate tops 90 percent. Ninety percent! Unfortunately, only 19 percent
of all cases are found at an early stage. That’s because many of the symptoms associated with ovarian cancer can be subtle, vague or “explained away” as symptoms of other illnesses. Ovarian cancer whispers – it rarely shouts. That’s why it’s so important to learn about the disease, its signs and symptoms, and what you can do to reduce your risk.

Laurel Auto Group Charity Golf Classic is a proud to sponsor Listen to the Whispers. We encourage you to learn as much about this disease as possible, as well as other women’s cancers. And if you suspect that something might be wrong, listen to the whispers. Pick up the phone and call your doctor. Don’t wait. It’s a call that just might save your life.

The signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer can be very subtle, especially in the early stages. They don’t shout out at you. Instead, they tend to whisper. Learn to recognize these
common symptoms of ovarian cancer:

• Pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort. Persistent pain in your back, pelvic area or abdomen can signal ovarian cancer. Don’t ignore it!
• Back pain
• Vague but persistent gastrointestinal upsets such as gas, nausea and indigestion
• Frequent and/or urgent need to urinate in the absence of an infection.  A change in your bowel habits isn’t just a symptom of colon cancer. It can also signal ovarian cancer.
• Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
• Pelvic and/or abdominal swelling, bloating and/or feeling of fullness
• Ongoing unusual fatigue
• Constipation or unexplained changes in bowel habits
• Menstrual changes

If symptoms continue for more than two weeks, contact your physician.

A life-saving legacy

In 2000, Ann Smith, an energetic and vivacious 50-year-old woman from the Johnstown area, was diagnosed with Stage IV ovarian cancer. Shortly after her diagnosis, Ann and her family organized
the first Laurel Auto Group Pro-Am Charity Golf Classic to help raise awareness about ovarian cancer. Ann lost her valiant fight against this silent disease in 2002. But her unwavering commitment
to helping others learn about ovarian cancer lives on, stronger today than ever before. In July, the Charity Golf Classic celebrated its 10th anniversary. Through the years, this community event has
raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to help area women, health care professionals and others become more educated about ovarian cancer. Listen to the Whispers is just one way that,
together, we’re all working to bring Ann’s vision to life.

 

For more information on ovarian cancer please visit: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/ovarian