Remedy For Anxiety

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Publishers Weekly and American Diabetes Association

November is American Diabetes Month.
Are you ready to raise awareness in your community?

Did you know that Publishers Weekly and American Diabetes Association are joining forces to Battle Diabetes?

That’s right!

Publishers Weekly and American Diabetes Association are featuring a SWEEPSTAKES targeted at libraries and bookstores. Do your part pass the word, pay it forward, and share this info where you buy or borrow books.

Your favorite bookseller or librarian could win big. And when they win, we all win!!

Bibliophile Update

Time to update our bookshelf here at Battling Cancer.

Most of you know I write fiction as well as non fiction and am a complete bibliophile addict. Which is why I like to have a book post regularly.

Along with new titles focusing on cancer I have included some great sites for readers and book swapping and some books that may not be new to you but they are to me.

And be sure to check out our Bibliophile archives for past titles featured.

Shelfari-Shelfari is a social networking site for readers, reviewers, librarians (authors, bloggers, publishers) and anyone who enjoys a good book.

The site enables you to build virtual bookshelves of books you are reading, want to read or have read and discuss them. These bookshelves can also be put on your own blog or webpage. Launched in 2006, Shelfari was bought by Amazon in August 2008.

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Updating the Diabetes Bookshelf

Here’s an update on the best of the late summer and early fall releases on the topic of diabetes.

And if you are a book addict like myself some of these sites for sharing your passion and perhaps your books, might interest you.

Shelfari-Shelfari is a social networking site for readers, reviewers, librarians (authors, bloggers, publishers) and anyone who enjoys a good book.

The site enables you to build virtual bookshelves of books you are reading, want to read or have read and discuss them. These bookshelves can also be put on your own blog or webpage. Launched in 2006, Shelfari was bought by Amazon in August 2008.

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Diabetes Bookshelf

From the Battling Books Diabetic Bookshelf, a few reading essentials.

Some of these you have seen here over the last few weeks, some are new to our shelf. If you’re like me you keep your library card maxed out and have a wish list on Amazon that is a mile long.

I confess while I read a lot of non-fiction I am a huge fiction reader. I’ve been searching for weeks for adult fiction featuring a diabetic as the protagonist. Have you read any that you’d care to recommend? I’d love a heads-up.

If not perhaps it’s time to write one.

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Diabetes News, Friday June 27, 2008

Diabetes Events:

Diabetes Australia will unveil their new website on July 13, 2008 in conjunction with the start of Australia’s National Diabetes Week. Diabetes Australia is committed to turning diabetes around through awareness, prevention, detection, management and a cure.

Check out Team Diabetes Canada: Since its inception, Team Diabetes Canada participants have raised vital funds on behalf of the Canadian Diabetes Association and the 2 million Canadians with diabetes that the Association serves. Team Diabetes participants not only increase public awareness of the disease, they inspire their communities to get active and involved. They create lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes, while raising funds in support of the research, education, advocacy, and programming that the Canadian Diabetes Association delivers in communities across Canada. Team Diabetes participants are local heroes working to prevent diabetes at home and abroad. Team Diabetes programs allow you to walk or run in world-class marathon events in fascinating cities both nationally and throughout the World. Read more

Cancer News Friday, June 27, 2008

Happy Friday.

Battling Cancer readers…this is your last day to post for a chance to win free books.

The rules are simple. Let me know you are out there by posting a hello by 8 pm, MST. Tonight!!

Then if your name is drawn and I email, drop me a note back with your mailing address and real world name.

Two readers will be able to choose the book of their choice from the books up for grabs at Bibliophile Is Back!

Shopping For Cancer??

CharityMall.

CharityMall.com is an online shopping system that showcases hundreds of popular merchants that have agreed to donate to cancer research every time an individual purchases something from their online store. Every merchant has committed to a different donation amount; each amount is posted on the CharityMall.com website Merchants are making these donations… individual shoppers do not spend an extra dime.

Every dime earned through CharityMall.com goes directly to the Cancer Research Foundation. The Cancer Research Foundation is a tax-exempt, US public charity created exclusively to raise funds to further and support cancer research. Their 2006 recipients include: Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Per The Cancer Research Foundation site: “In 2006, we were able to grant 90% of all donations received to cancer research and we are projected to have even better donation success in 2007.

Headline News:

U.S. News & World Report, June 26, 2008. Breast Cancer Vaccines Look Promising:But Research Still To Really Pan Out, Expert Warns. “Women with metastatic breast cancer who developed an immune response to an investigational vaccine lived twice as long as those who didn’t have an immune response, new research shows.”

ScienceDaily, June 26, 2008. Multiple Regions Of Chromosome 8 Found To Be Associated With Different Cancers. “A recently discovered, but not yet understood, section of chromosome 8, called 8q24, may contain at least five distinct regions that are associated with different cancers, according to a study in the June 24 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.”

Reuters, June 25, 2008. Merck’s Gardasil Not Cleared For Older Women. “U.S. regulators have told Merck & Co they cannot yet approve Merck’s application to expand marketing of its cervical cancer vaccine Gardasil to an older group of women, the drugmaker said on Wednesday.”

Endocrine Today, June 25, 2008. Bariatric Surgery May Improve Cancer in the Morbidly Obese. “Morbidly obese patients who had bariatric surgery had a greater chance of improving or preventing certain cancers, according to new study results presented at the 25th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery in Washington.”

Reuters, June 24, 2008. Study Suggests Colon Cancer Vaccine Possible. “A protein found only in the intestines may help lead the way to a vaccine that can treat colon cancers and perhaps other tumors too, U.S. researchers reported on Tuesday. ”

Washington Post. com, June 23, 2008. Symptoms Plus Blood Test Boost Ovarian Cancer Detection. “U.S. researchers boosted the level of early-stage ovarian cancer detection by 20 percent through use of a blood test to detect a tumor marker as well as a woman’s report of new-onset symptoms.”

Bibliophile is Back!

Bibliophile is back on Battling Cancer.

And that means free books.

Here are some of the most recent books in fiction and non fiction featuring cancer topics.

Two readers will be able to choose the book of their choice from these great offerings.

The rules are simple. Let me know you are out there by posting a hello between now and next Friday, June 27 at 8 pm, MST.

Then if your name is drawn and I email, drop me a note back with your mailing address and real world name.

Fiction:

Fool On the Hill: A Tess Camillo Mystery by Morgan Hunt (April 1, 2008)

Product Description: When amateur sleuth and breast cancer survivor Tess Camillo discovers the body of her housemate’s favorite rock star—crucified—everyone’s shocked. After all, he seemed to have no enemies. Why would someone nail him to a cross? With quirky wit, Tess and her loopy hetero housemate Lana snoop Hollywood music producers, Lego Land, a church, and a carousel to solve the murder. Fool on the Hill zips along on a sometimes-poignant, sometimes-zany trajectory, slowing down only for zoo critters and erotic encounters.

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Friday Cancer News, June 6, 2008

Friday again.

Perhaps the most exciting cancer news comes out of M.D. Anderson regarding Metformin and cancer response. Metformin is the most common drug prescribed for Type 2 diabetes. It was observed that patients using Metformin had a lower cancer incidence. Findings are preliminary and M.D. Anderson will soon begin a clinical trial with Metformin and hormonal therapy studying metastatic breast cancer patients who are obese. Read the complete article at Science Daily.

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Friday Cancer News, May 30, 2008

Friday. Friday. Friday is my favorite day.

Cancer Events:

Marie Curie Cancer Care is sponsoring the Skimmington Castle Bike Ride. “An exciting fun filled cycle challenge, Saturday, June 7 in the beautiful surroundings of the Surrey countryside.Cyclists will set off from the Skimmington Castle public House in Reigate, either on the 47.5 mile route, for those who fancy a challenge, or the 16.5 mile route for those who feel they’d like the day to take a more leisurely pace.

Once you have completed the bike ride you will end up back at the Skimmington Castle pub for a chance to exchange stories over a well earned drink.”

Father’s Day Ride and Stride. Sunday June 15, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.

“This Father’s Day, honor Dad and support the fight against prostate cancer. Bring your family and enjoy a morning of fun at beautiful North Park, while supporting Pittsburgh’s leading organizations in the fight to defeat prostate cancer— the Allegheny General Prostate Center and the Western Pennsylvania Prostate Cancer Foundation (WPPCF). This event will include a 25K, 50K and 100K bike ride and a 2 mile fun walk. Choose either as your weapon to fight against prostate cancer and a way to celebrate Father’s Day with loved ones. We’re taking aim against this deadly disease.”

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Friday Cancer News, April 4, 2008

Cancer News:

The Arizona Republic, April 4, 2008–Cancer Fighters Give Grants. “The Phoenix Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure on Wednesday gave out more than $2.3 million to help fight breast cancer.”

The Toronto Star, April 3, 2008– Lung Cancer Trigger Discovered. “Researchers say genetic variations can increase a person’s chance of getting disease by up to 80%.
Three independent teams of researchers have discovered genes that may explain why some smokers develop lung cancer rather quickly while others smoke heavily their entire life and never have it.”

Reuters Health, April 3, 2008-Increase in Throat Cancer Parallels Obesity Rate. “The rising incidence of throat cancer, also referred to as cancer of the esophagus or esophageal adenocarcinoma, may be related to Americans’ increasing intake of total and refined carbohydrates and subsequent rise in obesity rates.”

The Belfast Telegram, April 2, 2008.–Skip Breakfast Risk Cancer. “A new survey commissioned by the leading charity found that 25% of people in Northern Ireland miss breakfast at least twice a week. It found that nearly half of respondents (48%) admitted to snacking on fatty and sugary foods such as crisps, biscuits, cakes and sweets to keep morning hunger at bay. Experts estimate that about a quarter of all cancer deaths are caused by unhealthy diets and obesity.”

Guardian, April 2, 2008–Campaigners Urge Ban on Cancer-Link Chemicals. “Health campaigners today called for a Europe-wide ban on man made chemicals found in cosmetics and pesticides to help cut rising rates of breast cancer.”

New Scientist, April 2, 2008-Bugs Provoke the Immune System Into Fighting Cancer. “Disease-causing bugs could play a valuable role in the treatment of cancer. Deliberately infecting people with the bacteria that cause listeriosis could increase their ability to destroy tumours.

Reuters Health, April 1, 2008-Gene Expression Profiles May Improve Cancer Prognosis. “Integrating genomic information with traditional clinical risk factors can refine the prognosis and help optimize treatment strategies for women with early breast cancer, a research team at Duke University reports in the Journal of the American Medical Association this week.”

ScienceDaily, April 1, 2008- Integrating Genetic Information with Breast Cancer Risk Factors May Help Refine Prognosis. “Incorporating genetic information known as gene expression signatures with clinical and other risk factors for breast cancer may help refine estimates of relapse-free survival and predicted response to chemotherapy, according to a new study.”

Battling Books:

Pretty is What Changes:Impossible Choices, The Breast Cancer Gene and How I Defied My Destiny by Jessica Queller (April 1, 2008, memoir)

Hope’s Wish: How One Girl’s Dream Made Others Come True by Stuart Stout (March 18, 2008, memoir)

A Dyslexic Doc’s Memoirs: Encompassing Breast and Prostate cancer detection, Adultery, Apartheid, Alcoholism, anti-Semitism, ED, Drug Addiction, Suicide, Schizophrenia, a Zulu murder, and more! by Ian Whyte, M.D (January 14, 2008, memoir)

Testicular Cancer Awareness Week

Testicular Cancer Awareness Week

April 1-7, 2008

“There will be about 8,090 new cases of testicular cancer in the United States in 2008. About 380 men will die of the disease in 2008. A man’s lifetime chance of having testicular cancer is about 1 in 300. Because treatment is so successful, the risk of dying from this cancer is very low: about 1 in 5,000. Testicular cancer is one of the most curable forms of cancer. There are nearly 140,000 men who have survived testicular cancer in the United States.”

–Source: The American Cancer Society

The “Get a Grip” Campaign at the National Men’s Resource Center promotes the importance of young men and boys doing monthly self exams for early detection.

Testicular cancer forms in the testicles, the egg shaped glands located in the scrotum, that produce sperm and testosterone. According the American Cancer Society nine out of ten cases are diagnosed in men between age 20 and 54, however; it the disease can occur in infants or the elderly.

Symptoms include pain, swelling or unusual lumps in the testes or groin. Many times when lumps are discovered they are painless. Other symptoms may include breast enlargement or tenderness, a general malaise, a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum or an ache in the abdomen or groin.

The connection between risk factors and diagnosis is being studied but a cause for testicular cancer has not been determined.

Testicular Cancer risk factors:

• Undescended testicles or cryptorchidism. 10% of all cases occur in men with a history of cryptorchidism.
• Family history
• HIV infection may increase risk
• Race-white American men have a higher risk
• Age as mentioned

More detailed information on testicular cancer risk factors can be found at the American Cancer Society site.

Diagnosis:

Following a physical exam your physician may order blood tests (there are currently three tumor marker tests which screen for testicular cancer) and an ultrasound for a complete diagnosis.

Treatment Options:

• Surgery to remove the affected testicle. This may include lymph node removal.
• Radiation therapy, according to the type of cancer you have. Radiation is done after surgery.
• Chemotherapy in coordination with surgery

More Resources:

M.D. Anderson

NCI-Testicular Cancer Home Page

CancerBackUp-A U.K. site

Support:Male-Care: Men Fighting Cancer Together

TC-Care: Testicular Cancer Information and Support

The Genitourinary Cancer Message Boards at M.D. Anderson

LiveStrong: The Lance Armstrong Foundation

Events:

CancerBackUp 10K Fun Run-London, Sunday June 18, 2008. To raise awareness of male cancer.

Books:

Frequently asked Questions About Testicular Cancer by Paula Johnson (2007, Nonfiction)

It’s Not About the Bike: My Journey Back Into Life by Lance Armstrong (2001, Memoir)

Friday Cancer News, March 21, 2008

I’ve scoured the headlines to bring you the latest cancer news– what’s new in science and entertainment.

Cephalon wins U.S. Approval For Leukemia Drug

Washington (Reuters)-March, 20, 2008. Cephalon Inc won U.S. approval to sell a chemotherapy drug to treat patients with a slow-growing type of leukemia, the company said, on Thursday.

Study Details the Sexual and Urinary Side Effects of Prostate Cancer

Atlanta (AP)-March 20, 2008. One of the first large quality-of-life studies on today’s prostate cancer treatments suggests that for some men, it’s a matter of picking your poison and facing potential sexual, urinary or other problems.

Possible Cause of ‘Chemo Brain’ in Breast Cancer Patients Found

ScienceDaily-March 20, 2008. Thanks to early diagnosis and chemotherapy, more women survive breast cancer than ever before. However, following treatment, approximately 25 percent of survivors experience mild to moderate memory, concentration and cognitive problems known as “chemobrain.”

Serious Weakness Found in Virus Responsible for Most Cervical Cancer

ScienceDaily-March 20, 2008. The virus responsible for most cases of cervical cancer has a serious weakness which may provide hope for new treatments for the disease.

Autoantibody Assay May Lead to Earlier Detection of Lung Cancer

Oncolink (Reuters Health)-March 19, 2008. Screening for lung cancer with a panel of tumor- associated antigens may someday permit earlier detection of tumors, researchers report in the March issue of Thorax.

One Gene Closer to Understanding Pancreatic Cancer: A conversation with Dr. Terri Brentnall

The New York Times-March 18, 2008. Dr. Terri Brentnall, 51, at the University of Washington, has identified a gene that may be one cause of an inherited form of pancreatic cancer.

Testicular Cancer: Tumor Markers Under Utilized for Monitoring Disease According to New Research

Cancer News, University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center-March 18, 2008. A standard part of testicular cancer care isn’t used in more than half of all patients who have the condition, researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center have found.

Red Meat Consumption Linked to Colorectal Cancer

Cancer News, M.D. Anderson News Release, March 3, 2008. For most Americans, meals tend to center around meat. To significantly decrease a person’s risks of developing colorectal cancer experts at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center suggest a new approach to meal planning that focuses more on fruit and vegetable dishes.

Never Give In: Battling Cancer in the Senate by Arlen Specter with Frank J. Scaturro (Memoir, Thomas Dunne Books,March 18, 2008). The inspirational memoir of a cancer survivor and a U.S. senator.

The Last Beach Bungalow by Jennie Nash (Fiction, Penguin Group, February 2008). “A poignant novel of a woman who survives breast cancer only to struggle with what comes next: living.”

One in Three: A Son’s Journey Into the History and Science of Cancer by Adam Wishart (Memoir, Grove Press, January 2008) A British journalist’s journey into his father’s cancer and the medical community.

We Have Winners

Actually you are all winners, but specifically book drawing winners.

Congratulations to Hannah, Ann W., Mary C, Gina and Missy.

Let’s do this again soon.

Thank you to New York Times best-selling authors Wendy Markham, and Sherryl Woods, and and the very generous professionals at

Nancy Berland Public Relations, Inc. for making this first drawing a success.

I am also sending out one copy of Crazy, Sexy Cancer Tips to one of the winners.

Thanks for supporting Battling Cancer .

For the Bibliophile

Friday I’ll be giving away three books donated to the site by gracious authors, publicists and/or donors. All that is necessary for a chance to win, is to post a comment with a way to reach you. Winners will be chosen by random.

1. If Only In My Dreams by Wendy Markham. Best selling author, Wendy Markham a.k.a. New York Times best selling author, Wendy Corsi Staub is a busy writer, not only does she write women’s fiction as Wendy Markham, but she writes bestselling mystery/thrillers as Wendy Corsi Staub. Along with her young adult books she is releasing a new young adult paranormal series set in the Lily Dale spiritualist community of southern Western New York.

From Booklist. “Clara McCallum finally gets her big break as an actress when she’s cast as the romantic lead in a World War II-era epic, but the good news is accompanied by a frightening diagnosis of breast cancer. Though her doctor tells her it’s treatable, Clara can’t bring herself to tell those close to her and instead opts to go forth with filming. Her decision has unforeseen consequences when she boards a train for the set and ends up in New York in 1941 and meets the real-life Jed Landry, the soldier her character falls in love with in the movie. When Clara finds herself falling for Jed in the past, she’s torn between saving his life and returning to the future to undergo treatments to save her own. ”

From Publisher’s Weekly. “The fantastic setup is balanced with convincing period details and strong characters, and the story’s conclusion is unexpectedly real and refreshing. ”

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Friday Follow Up

Since Wednesday’s post on Cancer in the News, I’ve talked to several authors and publicists regarding books featured here. Next week, thanks to their generosity, I will be giving away books.

Until then, here is a sneak peak.

I will be giving away a copy of New York Times, best selling author, Sherryl Woods’ new release, Seaview Inn.

From Publisher’s Weekly, “New York PR exec Hannah Mathews is in remission from the same disease that claimed her mother’s life months before: breast cancer. She heads south in an attempt to persuade her 85-year-old grandma, Jenny, to sell the Seaview Inn, the Florida Keys resort owned by her family for decades, and move into a retirement home. Spry and headstrong, Grandma Jenny isn’t ready to be put out to pasture, intending to spruce up the inn and reopen for business. Hannah’s daughter Kelsey, turns up pregnant; she plans to drop out of college, live at Seaview and put her baby up for adoption. Surgeon Luke Stevens, Hannah’s high school crush, shows up shortly thereafter, fresh from a stint in war-torn Iraq and carrying his own set of emotional baggage. A seasoned romance novelist of more than 100 titles, Woods is a master heartstring puller, and her endearingly flawed characters must deal with their plethora of problems in a predictable but satisfying manner.”

Additionally, check out Sherryl’s blog, Just Between Friends, where she recently held a contest and donated funds for the Susan G. Komen:For The Cure, in honor of a survivor or in memory of a loved one who lost the fight against breast cancer, and features stories from the contest on the blog.

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Cancer in the News

CANCER HEADLINE NEWS:

Traditional Medicine: Identifying Potential Cancer Treatments of Herbal Origin (Science Daily March 5, 2008)

Arsenic Aids Tumor Imaging When Joined to Cancer-honing Drug, Researchers Find (Science Daily March5, 2008)

Breast Cancer Risk Lingered Years After Women Discontinued Estrogen-Progestin Therapy, Stanford Researchers Says

(Business Wire March 5, 2008

Gemcitabine plus chemoradiation of small benefit for resected pancreatic cancer (Oncolink.com March 4, 2008)

Shared Care Improves Long-term Follow-up for Childhood Cancer Survivors (CancerConsultants.com March 4, 2008)

Flat colon Growths more likely to Harbor Cancer … (msnbc.msn.com March 4, 2008)

Newly Identified Genetic Variations May Affect Breast Cancer Risk (National Cancer Institute March 3, 2008)

Lights at Night Are Linked to Breast Cancer (The Washington Post February 20, 2008)

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The Encyclopedia of Cancer (Facts on File Library of Health and Living)