BeatTheOdds

"Smokers who quit after a cancer diagnosis had increased survival, with the greatest benefit for those who initiated smoking cessation treatment within 6 months, a prospective cohort study showed.

Among over 4,500 patients diagnosed with cancer, survival over 15 years increased for those who quit smoking at 3 months (HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.67-0.83), 6 months (HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.71-0.88), and 9 months (HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.76-0.95) of follow-up, reported Paul M. Cinciripini, PhD, of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and colleagues.

The largest survival benefit was seen among patients who began receiving cessation treatment at the center's To***co Research and Treatment Program within 6 months of diagnosis of cancer, including breast cancer, lung cancer, and head and neck cancer, they noted in JAMA Oncology.

Specifically, at the 75th survival percentile (the time at which 75% of patients had survived), survival increased from 2.1 years among continuing smokers (non-abstainers) compared with 3.9 years for patients who quit (abstainers)."

Early Smoking Cessation After Cancer Diagnosis Tied to Better Survival Largest survival benefit observed in patients who entered a cessation program within 6 months

Here is an article about what we do this weekend. They even quote me:
“Historically at Long Beach Medical Center, like many cancer treatment centers, we’ve heavily focused on the most advanced technology and pharmacology to address the physical aspects of returning people to health,” said Dr. Mariusz Wirga, medical director of psychosocial oncology at the Institute. “However, the mental, emotional, and spiritual spheres of cancer treatment and recovery should also be addressed in a comprehensive way as they determine the experience of cancer diagnosis and treatment as well as their outcomes.”
“Unfortunately, despite their necessity, many supportive programs aimed at these spheres are not covered by insurance,” Wirga said in a press release. “Thanks to the support of our community and their dedication to the cause, we are able to provide these cancer support programs at the highest level in Southern California to all cancer patients and their families, regardless of their ability to pay.”

For a Good Cause: MemorialCare’s 25th annual Team Spirit Long Beach Cancer 5K returns this weekend Hundreds throughout Long Beach and surrounding communities participate in the annual Team Spirit Long Beach Cancer 5K, which brings additional psychosocial programs and support for those with cance…

👉I need your help! The 25th Annual Team Spirit Cancer 5k is this Saturday, and we are behind with fundraising. Why is it so important for me?
‼ 25th Anniversary of Team Spirit supporting our vital psychosocial services
‼ 20th Anniversary of the Beat the Odds survivorship program I introduced at the Todd Cancer Institute
‼ 15th Anniversary of my role as Medical Director of Psychosocial Oncology at TCI
🎯Please donate - links and info in the comments.
🏆 We’re also excited to share that we already have 800 registered walkers! If you’d like to join us, it’s not too late—registration is available on-site for $75.

Tomorrow, we have our monthly class for alumni - Boost the Odds: From Cancer Survivor to Life Thriver. Please let me know if you need a link to our Zoom meeting

Check out this Long Beach Post article about Team Spirit Cancer 5K raising funds for supportive care services for cancer patients and their families. The link to the article is in the comments.
👉Seize the $35 early bird registration fee for the 25th Annual Team Spirit Cancer 5K on Saturday, October 26, 2024 and join our Beat the Odds squad at https://give.classy.org/BTO2024

“At the MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute, we understand that cancer affects more than just the body; it affects the mind, body, and spirit,” said Dr. Wirga. “That is why treatment shouldn’t be relegated to only physical treatment but complemented by emotional and supportive services. With that understanding, it is critical for all patients that we continue to grow these programs and implement new ones that will help the well-being of those battling cancer.”
The link to the full article is in the comments.

Maybe it's time to go cash only?

Leading a grand rounds workshop on cognitive-behavioral laughter therapy at the invitation of dear friend and colleague Dr. Heather Clague

It was a great Friendsgiving evening celebrating the 19th Anniversary of BeatTheOdds Cancer Survivorship Program at MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!!!

Photo credit: Andrzej Jończyk

"An analysis of more than 15,000 adults with a cancer diagnosis revealed that nearly 80% were current drinkers. Among current drinkers, 13% consumed a moderate amount of alcohol in a typical day, while close to 40% engaged in hazardous drinking.

The numbers are "staggering," Yin Cao, ScD, MPH, of Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, told Medscape Medical News. "Most concerning," said Cao, "is that those on cancer treatment are engaged in a similar level of risky drinking."

Drinking alcohol can increase a person's risk for a variety of cancers, including oral and pharyngeal cancer as well as esophageal, colore**al, liver, and female breast cancers.

Consuming alcohol is also associated with numerous risks among people diagnosed with cancer. In the short term, alcohol consumption can worsen post-surgical outcomes as well as impair cognition and amplify cardiotoxicity in patients undergoing chemotherapy. In the long term, drinking alcohol can elevate a person's risk of recurrence, secondary tumors, and mortality.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recently issued a statement reinforcing the need to prioritize alcohol consumption as a key modifiable behavioral factor in the cancer control research agenda."

Risky Drinking Common in Cancer Survivors More than one third of cancer survivors engage in hazardous drinking, new data show. Here's how oncologists can talk to their patients about alcohol consumption.

Sailing retreat. Mazury is the unique place of about 2000 lakes many of them connected with rivers and channels. This is literally the only place in the world for such a sailing experience. Every day, different lake. The waters are still pristine, where we are. It is also still possible stay in the wilderness or tiny islands, away from people, marinas, and towns.
But even marinas are rich in beautiful views including clouds reflected in the water at dusk

Cancer Survivorship Celebration is one of my most favorite events of the year and I have the honor to be among the speakers. Jacarandas in front of the hospital are in bloom matching the colors on the hospital logo. It is great to see so many familiar faces in person and hang out with the Beat the Odds Program alumni ❤️

Many breast cancer patients may be denied a type of breast reconstruction known as deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap, in which skin, fat, and blood vessels are harvested from a woman's abdomen to create a new breast.

The procedure offers advantages over implants and operations that take muscle from the abdomen and may be the best option for many patients. But it's also more expensive because it is much more complex and requires unique microsurgery skills from the surgeon. If patients go outside an insurance network for the operation, it can cost more than $50,000. The government's plan to eliminate the three S codes for this procedure was driven by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, a major lobbying organization for health insurance companies in an effort to cut their cost and increase value for their shareholders.

Breast cancer recovery options could be affected by a health insurance coding change Some breast cancer survivors who want reconstructive surgery are facing hurdles that involve coding changes.

"Brian Becker, of El Paso, Texas, was uninsured and not working when he learned he had chronic myelogenous leukemia in summer 2021. He started chemotherapy the following year, after he had borrowed enough money to see a cancer physician. Becker then started to apply for disability benefits in June 2022. He was denied benefits in February 2023, more than a month after his death last December.

For other cancer patients, one of the remaining avenues to coverage, according to Chino, is to qualify for disability through the Social Security Administration, after which they can apply for Medicaid. The federal agency has a lengthy list of criteria for cancer patients. It also has a Compassionate Allowances program, which offers faster reviews for patients with certain serious medical conditions, including advanced or aggressive cancers.

Although the rules vary, many patients don't qualify until their disease has spread or the cancer requires at least a year of intense treatment, Chino said. That presents an inherent catch-22 for people who are uninsured but have curable types of cancer, she said.

"To qualify for Medicaid, I have to wait for my cancer to be incurable," she said, "which is very depressing."

For the Uninsured, Securing Cancer Care Is Like a Roulette Wheel When uninsured people are diagnosed with cancer, accessing resources and paying for treatment can be daunting. The safety nets meant to help often fall short. Some patients find it easier to play the odds.

We still have some space for Dr. Wirga's BeatTheOdds 10-week cancer survivorship program. The first class starts this Wednesday at 6 pm. To sign up please fill out the form (link in the comments). You and your primary support people are invited.

Send a message to learn more

Recommended episode

Talking TEAM-CBT Ep 003 Dr David Burns Anti-depressants suck, talk therapy rambles on, CBT works ok. Isn't there something better to help people get over depression and anxiety? This was David's q...

"Knowing what to expect on your first visit will help ease the nerves. While making the appointment, inquire about these basics: Will a physical exam be involved, or is the focus of this visit on information and discussion? To get organized, it helps to be told what to bring – such as insurance cards, test results and reports or contact information for your primary care physician and other doctors you've seen. The American Society of Clinical Oncology offers a comprehensive list of preparatory questions to ask about your appointment."

Don't Hesitate to Ask Your Oncologist These Key Cancer Questions Being well-informed will help you feel more in control moving forward.

"Going over a medical bill, for example, can be incredibly confusing and stressful for a patient. In fact, studies have shown that 72% of patients in the U.S. are confused by their medical bills, which can undoubtedly cause them to be further upset on top of everything else they are dealing with. Understandably, as a healthcare professional, your day is also exhausting and stressful, but reacting negatively to a patient who is potentially struggling never helps."

Link to the whole article in the comments: "How to Comprehensively Explain a Medical Bill to a Patient."

Not taking oral cancer drugs each day as prescribed is very common. A new study finds “just over half (51.9%) of 37,938 patients with cancer were adherent to oral anti-cancer medications.” Adherence rates for various cancers:
—blood cancer: 49.6%
—ovarian cancer: 44.6%
—colore**al cancer: 37.3%
—liver cancer 32.8%
—brain tumors: 70.4%
—stomach cancer: 68.8%
—lung cancer 64.7%
—breast cancer: 55.7%

My takeaway: Talk with your oncologist if you are experiencing side effects from your drug treatments or if you are struggling to afford these drugs (there are many programs to help reduce costs of these drugs). Don’t struggle in silence, as these drugs won’t work if you can’t take them.

https://www.managedhealthcareexecutive.com/view/adherence-to-oral-anticancer-meds-low

“Immunotherapy has proven successful in treating a subset of patients with colon and re**al cancer that has metastasized, meaning spread to other tissues.”The patients in this subset, Dr. Diaz explains, have tumors with a specific genetic makeup known as mismatch repair-deficient (MMRd) or microsatellite instability (MSI).
Between 5% and 10% of all re**al cancer patients are thought to have MMRd tumors, including all the patients in the MSK clinical trial that Sascha participated in. There are 45,000 Americans diagnosed a year with re**al cancer.

https://www.mskcc.org/news/re**al-cancer-disappears-after-experimental-use-immunotherapy

Re**al Cancer Disappears After Experimental Use of Immunotherapy Re**al cancer patients saw their tumors disappear in a clinical trial involving immunotherapy at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center—without surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.

The Anticancer Lifestyle Online Course is a free, expert-led program that helps you make healthy and informed lifestyle choices to reduce your risk of cancer, cancer recurrence, and chronic illness. Our self-paced course is filled with evidence-based tools, tips, and information to promote well-being in the areas of Diet, Fitness, Mindset, and Environment.

Anticancer Lifestyle Program A lifestyle transformation program for people diagnosed with cancer.

Cancer & Depression…Reason to be Concerned? Mariusz Wirga, M.D.
Wednesday, April 27, 2022 6:00pm – 7:00pm, Zoom
Dr. Wirga, Medical Director of Psychosocial Oncology, Todd Cancer Institute, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, will identify the differences between depression and sadness.
We will learn the value of depressive symptoms in recovering from cancer. Dr. Wirga will also outline effective self-help tools for depressive symptoms, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

CEU’s offered for nurses. RSVP [email protected]

Financial Toxicity of Cancer:
Despite access to health insurance, most patients with metastatic colore**al cancer experienced financial problems due to their cancer treatment, according to a prospective cohort study.

The cumulative incidence of major financial hardship within the first 12 months after diagnosis was 71.3%, even though almost all patients had health insurance, reported Veena Shankaran, MD, of the University of Washington in Seattle, and colleagues.

https://www.medpagetoday.com/hematologyoncology/coloncancer/96480

Most Advanced Colon Cancer Patients Experience Financial Hardship Health insurance no guarantee against this increased burden

"According to the Cancer Facts & Figures 2022 report, the death rate from cancer dropped 32% in 28 years, and the drop in fatality is largely attributed to fewer people smoking during this time frame, as well as the rise of combination treatments, chemotherapy and prevention and early detection measures."

American Cancer Society Reports Significant Drop In Cancer Death Rate The organization found that 42% of cancer deaths are potentially avoidable.