Monthly Archives: February 2023

Cancer Research, Uncategorized

For People of Color, Melanoma is More Likely to Be Diagnosed Late

Two People of Color Holding Hands
Melanoma in People of Color

A commonly-held misconception is that people of color have little risk of developing skin cancer. It’s true that melanoma occurs less frequently, but the consequences of skin cancer among African Americans are more serious than most realize.

How Melanoma Affects People of Color

Data from a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology showed that people of color are most likely to be diagnosed with melanoma in its later stages, resulting in worse prognoses and lower overall survival rates.

Many believe that the higher percentage of melanin in darker skin protects from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays. A recent survey revealed that 63 percent of African Americans never use sunscreen, despite the fact that they actually can be susceptible to sunburn.

Causes and Warning Signs of Melanoma

Genetics and environmental factors also play a role in the development of melanoma, as they did with iconic reggae singer Bob Marley. The Jamaican native died at the age of 36 from acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), a form of cancer that appears on the palms of hands and the soles of feet.

Dr. Martitza I. Perez, senior vice president of The Skin Cancer Foundation, recommends that people of all ethnicities watch for the warning signs of melanoma:

• A sore or growth that doesn’t heal

• An ulcer or scaly red patch that crusts or bleeds

• Moles that are asymmetrical, larger than a pencil eraser, or display any sign of change

Cutting-Edge Immunotherapy for Cancer at Issels®

Our immunotherapy for cancer treatments have been effective against melanoma and many other types of tumors. Contact us to learn more.

Cancer Caregivers, Uncategorized

Four Real World Cancer Patient Support Tips

When a loved one is going through cancer treatment, they’ll need support from friends and family. Knowing how to help them can be tough to do, especially if you’ve never been in this situation before. The following tips can give you some ideas on how to support cancer patients.

Offer to Do Errands

Some types of treatments, such as chemotherapy, can take a toll on your loved one’s energy levels. They might find it difficult to take care of errands, especially if they involve leaving their home and going out and about. Offer to handle grocery shopping, do loads of laundry, or run other errands for your loved one. These simple gestures can go a long way toward easing their stress.

Go to Appointments with Your Loved One

Some treatment approaches can cause brain fog or other cognitive problems for your loved one. This can make it harder for them to process information and make decisions during cancer care appointments. Offer to go with your loved one to these appointments and take notes for them.

Prepare a Bunch of Meals

Eating well is important for people who are being treated for cancer. However, cooking can be difficult to do when they have low energy levels and a poor appetite. Prepare nutritious meals for your loved one ahead of time, so they’ll have plenty to eat without having to do any cooking.

Spend Quality Time with Your Loved One

Helping someone with cancer involves more than handling practical tasks. Spend time talking with your loved one, watching movies together, or doing other activities they enjoy.

If you’re exploring cancer treatment options with your loved one, please contact Issels® for more information on immunotherapy. We can give you more details on this type of treatment approach and our immunotherapy clinics.

Cancer Research, Uncategorized

Study Suggests Cancer Can ‘Hijack’ Blood Vessels

The medical community has long believed that cancer cells support their growth by generating blood vessels. A study suggests that blood vessels may actually begin the cycle of tumor development.

“Hijacking” Blood Vessels for Tumor Development

According to cancer biologist Dr. Lan Ko, one of the authors of the study, the team found evidence that blood vessels can create tumors. In turn, the cancer cells then produce blood vessels to further sustain their growth.

Researchers focused on GT198, a gene generally found in low levels within the body. It has a natural ability to repair DNA and regulate stem cells, but in mutated form it creates cancer cells.

Pericytes, found in the outer layer of blood vessels, resemble stem cells in the way they can form different types of tissue. During the study, researchers found abnormally high levels of GT198 in pericytes supporting a number of human tumors.

Even more surprising was that the GT198 was located in the pericytes’ cytoplasm instead of the nucleus. This enabled malignant pericytes to multiply into cancer cells and detach from blood vessels to promote spread of the tumors.

Application for Cancer Treatment

As Dr. Ko explained, these results indicate that GT198 is a viable target for immunotherapy for cancer treatments. Further testing will explore use of existing cancer drugs and development of new ones.

Issels® Leads the Way in Immunotherapy for Cancer

While immunotherapy for cancer has become a hot topic among scientists, Issels® has been successfully using our integrative, non-toxic treatments for decades. Contact us for more information about our individually tailored programs.

Cancer Caregivers, Uncategorized

5 Tips on How to Offer Support to Someone With Cancer

When a friend or family member is coping with a serious illness, it can be difficult to find the right way to communicate. Members of our staff at Issels® share five simple and practical tips to express support for a loved one who is undergoing cancer treatment.

1. Schedule personal visits.

*Be considerate of your friend’s needs. Always call first and don’t take it personally if they can’t see you.

*Begin and end the visit with a hug, handshake or other warm physical contact.

*Visit during “off-hours,” such as weekday mornings, rather than weekends or holidays when others are likely to visit.

2. Call and send notes.

*Return any calls or messages from your friend as soon as possible.

*Frequency is more important than length.

3. Engage in conversation.

*Ask questions to keep the focus on your friend’s thoughts and feelings.

*Discuss sports, books or other topics that bring pleasure to your friend.

*Allow your loved one to express their feelings honestly, without trying to change the tone of the conversation.

4. Handle errands and projects.

*Offer to take over one or more regular errands, such as mowing the lawn, that will help ease the load.

*Don’t forget to ask the caregiver if you can run any errands for them as well.

5. Give gifts.

*Bigger isn’t always better. Choose small gifts that will be immediately useful, and give them often.

*A gift to the caretaker will be equally appreciated by the one who is undergoing cancer treatment.

*If your loved one has financial obstacles, consider seeking donations or organizing fundraisers.

Cancer Treatment for Therapy-Resistant Cases

Immunotherapy at Issels® has an outstanding record of success, even with patients in Stage IV. Contact us to learn more about our state-of-the-art programs that are tailored to a patient’s specific needs.

 

 

Cancer Care Tips, Uncategorized

Clinical Depression – More Serious Than Simple Sadness

Issels® Center for Immuno-Oncology provides state-of-the-art techniques to support and encourage a patient’s immune system to defend against cancer cells. Often times, even though treatment is progressing, cancer patients may experience a feeling of sadness.

The question is if the patient is having random moments of sadness or is clinically depressed. Knowing the difference is important.

Random Moments of Sadness

When you’re feeling sad, it can be for any number of reasons from worry about a health condition to stress of paying medical bills. Being sad doesn’t encompass your feelings for the majority of the time. You’re sad; you work through the issue, find a resolution, talk with friends or family, and continue your normal daily routine. Depression is the exact opposite and a much more serious condition.

Clinical Depression

Studies show that between 15-25 percent of the people who’ve been diagnosed as having cancer are candidates for depression. Some of the signs of depression may seem like sadness but there are differences.

  • Depression is long-term unhappiness
  • Experience excessive tiredness
  • Lack of interest in hobbies and activities
  • Eating routine changes
  • Restless and nervous feelings
  • An obvious change in sleeping habits
  • Lack of concentration
  • Significant change in mental and physical reactions
  • Feeling as if you no longer matter
  • Continued thoughts of the possibility of death
  • Thoughts of suicide

Anti-depressants, exercise, counseling, established routines, and psychotherapy are all ways to deal with depression. If you suffer from any of the listed symptoms, contact your physician to determine a plan of action.

If you need information about the services available at Issels® Center for Immuno-Oncology, contact us by phone or use the online form to submit your request.

Cancer Treatment, Uncategorized

Know Your Cancer Fighting Options Before You Choose Your Treatment

When you’re diagnosed with cancer, your thoughts might turn to getting treatment as soon as possible. However, rushing into cancer treatment can lead to ineffective care, adverse side effects, and other issues. Taking time to go over your options means you’ll be able to choose the best kind of treatment.

Factors That Affect Cancer Treatment

When you discuss treatment options with your healthcare team, they’ll provide you with options based on different factors. Keep in mind that not all treatments are considered suitable for every cancer case. Your healthcare team will consider the type of cancer you have, the stage of this cancer, and your health in general in order to determine treatment options. Other factors they’ll consider include additional testing, such as blood tests or genetic testing, as well as any other medical conditions you have.

Types of Treatment

Several types of treatment are available for cancer. In some cases, surgery might be recommended to remove cancerous tumors and prevent them from spreading. Other conventional forms of treatment for cancer include radiation therapy and chemotherapy, although these can have adverse side effects. Immunotherapy offers a treatment option for cancer that uses a more holistic approach and doesn’t produce side effects.

Understanding Treatment Options

Talking to your healthcare team about your options is important. Ask questions about anything you don’t understand, such as how specific treatments work or what the chances of success are in your case. You can also get a second opinion, look into clinical trials, and research treatment options on your own before making your decision.

If you’re looking for more details on immunotherapy cancer treatment, please contact Issels®. We can help you learn more about this type of treatment, so you can determine if it’s right for you.