Cancer CAREpoint May 2018 Schedule and Update

As you know, Cancer CAREpoint provides free non-medical support to cancer patients, survivors and their families and caregivers.  As more and more people become survivors we are expanding our programs to help them transition to their new post-cancer lives.  Many cancer survivors share the struggle to develop their “new normal.” The goal is to acknowledge the trauma that is cancer diagnosis and treatment, but not to allow that diagnosis to take over the rest of your life.  If you are done with active treatment, please consider the following programs:

  • Cancer Survivorship 101:  A two hour survivorship seminar in Fremont at PAMF on 4/21 at 10:00 am
  • Survivorship Workshop Series:  6 week series for people who are interested in processing the emotional impact of cancer treatment.  Learn about practical tools and resources to help move forward after cancer.  Next series starts on Wednesday, May 2 at 6:00 pm at our Resource Center.  Please call for other dates.
  • Eating for Health– Survivor Nutrition:  A four week nutrition series led by Nancy Birang, BS, MT (ASCP), NC starting on June 20 at 6:30 pm at our Resource Center.

Here is the calendar for May.  We also have a new nutrition program that I am very excited about! Cancer CAREpoint purchased a set of  videos narrated by Rebecca Katz, the famous author of the Cancer Fighting Kitchen cookbook.  The programs are interesting, colorful and easy to understand.  We will watch about 45 minutes of the program  on each of two nights and our nutritionist Stephanie Figueroa, NC, will be there to answer questions and provide samples of the food prepared on the show. This nutrition class will meet on Monday, May 14th and May 21st at 6:30 at our Resource Center, please plan to attend both nights.

Thanks for your interest and support, as always, feel free to call or email if you have questions or concerns.

Sheryl Brown – Director of Operations and Programs

Cancer CAREpoint, 2505 Samaritan Dr., Suite 402

San Jose, CA 95124

408.402.6612

Dr. Mark Scholz and Panel Discussion Video – El Camino Hospital

Dr. Mark Scholz participated in a tumor board session with a discussion of Prostate Cancer Cases at El Camino Hospital in November 2017.

Participants included:

  • Robert Sinha, MD, Medical Director of Radiation Oncology
  • Frank Lai, MD, Urological Oncologist/Robotic Surgeon, El Camino Hospital
  • Steven Kurtzman, MD, Radiation Oncologist, Director of Prostate Brachytherapy, El Camino Hospital
  • Shane Dormady, MD PhD, Medical Director of Oncology, El Camino Hospital
  • Mark Scholz, MD, Medical Oncology, Director of Prostate Cancer Specialists, Founder of Prostate Cancer Research Institute

View the recording of the event here

Event: Dr. Mark Scholz Participates in Discussion of Prostate Cancer Cases

Dr. Mark Scholz will participate in a tumor board session – Discussion of Prostate Cancer Cases. It will be an open seating event.

Date/Time:

Friday, November 10, 2017, 4:30-7:00 PM PST

Location:

El Camino Hospital, 2500 Grant Road, Mountain View, CA 94040

Conference Rooms E, F & G

Moderator:

  • Robert Sinha, MD, Medical Director of Radiation Oncology

Panelists:

  • Frank Lai, MD, Urological Oncologist/Robotic Surgeon, El Camino Hospital
  • Steven Kurtzman, MD, Radiation Oncologist, Director of Prostate Brachytherapy, El Camino Hospital
  • Shane Dormady, MD PhD, Medical Director of Oncology, El Camino Hospital
  • Mark Scholz, MD, Medical Oncology, Director of Prostate Cancer Specialists, Founder of Prostate Cancer Research Institute

Download the event flyer from here

A Short Course in Prostate Cancer by Thomas J. Leih (eBook)

A Short Course in Prostate Cancer – eBook

The purpose of this short eBook is to provide men facing prostate cancer with a lot of up-to-date information in a compact format.

The information and opinions provided in this book are not specific medical advice for any individual. It  should not substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. The author is not a medical doctor. The reader is advised that any information or opinions expressed or implied in this book are those of a layman and should not be acted upon without the consent of a licensed physician. This book is not meant to be used, nor should it be used, to diagnose or treat any medical condition. For diagnosis or treatment of any medical problem, consult your own physician.

Download the pdf ebook here.

New UBC Website Walks Men Through Prostate Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment

The following information was obtained from several sources including University of British Columbia, The Vancouver Sun and others.

John Oliffe, head of Men’s Health Research and a professor in the School of Nursing has developed a new interactive website called “If I Were Tom” (ifiweretom.ubc.ca)

This website has been five years in the making. The idea started in 2012, when researchers surveyed health specialists and patients to find out what they most want to discuss when dealing with prostate cancer. Another two years of video interviews followed, using a $400,000.00 grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. There are 30 videos on the website, with more ready to be swapped in order to keep everything fresh.

The website is interactive, so the viewer can predict what Tom (actor Gary Johnston plays the role) will do at each step along the way from diagnosis to recovery. “Will I have to wear these stupid underpants that make you look like you’re walking around with a load in your pants?” Tom asks himself when worrying about potential side effects of surgery.

“We’ve found with guys that if a character resonates with them they’re drawn into the content in a more interactive way. You look at the video and put in what you would do next. You might be plotting what Tom’s doing, but chances are you’re plotting what you did or think you’d do,” said Oliffe.

Like a support group session, but on line. There is already a mountain of information available about prostate cancer, concedes Oliffe, and the website isn’t trying to duplicate that. Instead, each topic area includes a video from specialists including urologist, oncologist and psychologist and also includes men with prostate cancer talking about their real experiences. It also includes no-holds-barred discussion on sexual problems and hormonal changes.

We’re really trying to create a resource that was similar for all those guys who don’t want to go to a group because of privacy issues or who can’t get there because of transportation or work commitments etc.

You can’t have too much information. There are different types of prostate cancer – slow growing or aggressive – there are various treatment options to treat prostate cancer including surgery to remove the prostate gland surgically.

Another option may be radiation therapy, anti-hormone treatment known as androgen deprivation therapy or doing something referred to as active-surveillance (where you and your PSA etc. are watched very closely and if and when things change then treatment options are offered). Age and other health problems will also play into each man’s choice of treatment.

“They might be disappointed with the outcome, but if you go in knowing the potential side effects and having thoughtfully considered those, taking time rather than being rushed…you’re less likely to make a decision quickly about a treatment you might regret.”

Research continues. Oliffe’s team is collecting more data through the website with surveys. I believe at the present time they are asking about a persons exercise regime.