What We can Learn from Kids

Children's cancers are treated different than adult cancers...

Cancer in children and teenagers is relatively rare, making up only about one percent of all cancer cases in the U.S. But according to the National Cancer Institute, that still means more than 12,000 children in the U.S. under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with cancer this year. Cancer is the second leading cause of death for children—after accidental injuries. During the past 20 years, the childhood cancer five-year survival rate has dramatically increased from 60 percent to more than 80 percent.

                              

Childhood cancers are usually quite different from adult cancers. They often form in parts of the body that are still growing and changing, such as the blood system, brain, nervous system, and kidneys. There is no known cause for most childhood cancers. Leukemias (blood cell cancers) and cancers of the brain and central nervous system account for more than half of all childhood cancers. Pediatric (childhood) cancers tend to be more aggressive than adult cancers.

So what does this have to do with prostate cancer in older men? In part it may relate to participation rates in clinical trials. In stark contrast to adult participation in clinical trials (less than five percent) well over half of all children with cancer participate in clinical trials. Improvements in treatments developed in clinical trials account for the rapid improvement in survival rates. Cancer deaths in kids have decreased dramatically in the last three decades. 

According to ASCO, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, many pediatric clinical trials are focused on new treatments, evaluating whether a new treatment is safe, effective, and possibly better than the current (standard) treatment. These types of studies evaluate new drugs, different combinations of existing treatments, new approaches to radiation therapy or surgery, and new methods of treatment. Researchers also focus on easing symptoms, reducing toxic side effects, and reducing side effects that may occur after treatment has been completed. 

Clinical trials have made a major contribution to the many advances in treating childhood cancer. Greater participation by adults in cancer clinical trials may lead to more rapid advances, too.

axman

Thanksgiving is for Giving Thanks

Life is short so take advantage of every opportunity...

As I get older (and believe me, I do feel older) I am finding a lot of things to be thankful for. For those of us fighting any kind of cancer I believe this is especially important. It can be easy to focus on life not being fair, treatment being expensive, conditions getting worse, and not being able to do what we used to do. True or not, there's not much we can do about them.

My wife Carol and I have been able to spend time with all our kids and grandkids during the past several weeks--not always the same time or the same place, but together nonetheless. It was great! I encourage you to spend time with family and friends, and not just during holidays. Most of the people I know who are living with a serious disease have a very positive outlook on life. It's fun to be around them. We laugh a lot.

Our motto is: DO AS MUCH AS YOU CAN AS LONG AS YOU CAN. So far, so good. I just do it a lot slower than last year.

 I sometimes think about the good old days but as far as I'm concerned, the good days are now. If this sounds like I'm out of touch with reality, maybe so. I know I won't live forever--neither will you. However long any of us survive will probably seem better if we focus on being active and happy and not angry and miserable. Just saying.

axman

Not Me--Just Get Some Results

Here I go again...

I read an article recently which pointed out that 20 percent of adult cancer patients in Great Britain participate in cancer clinical trials. The author was bemoaning the fact that the number wasn't higher. Most oncologists would be more than pleased with a 20 percent participation rate. We know that as many as 80 percent of young cancer patients (21 and younger) in the U.S. participate in clinical trials. But, still, only three to five percent of adults with cancer in the U.S. ever take part in a clinical trial.

I'm sure everybody who chooses not to participate has reasons that make sense to them.

A trial takes too much of my time, the distance to the trial center is too far, it probably wouldn't do me any good and I might even die sooner, I'd just be helping to make the pharmaceutical company richer, I'd be the one to get the sugar pill, and many many more beliefs and thoughts. Some of them might be accurate. Some of them merely myths.

Many trials that might possibly be beneficial are never conducted because of lack of volunteers. Others end up with unclear results because the number of participants is not large enough to conclusively prove whether or not the drug is effective or more effective than current standard treatments.

In my 10th year of prostate cancer I have a vested interest in trial results--as do 12 million other Americans with cancer. Somehow we need to make sure that everybody who could benefit, might benefit, or has no other options at least knows about clinical trial options. There are no promises and no guarantees but it might just be the best (or only) option for you.

axman

Hurricane Sandy--We can Help

Whatever our personal strengths, ideas, and  challenges may be, every so often Mother Nature reminds us that we're not really in charge.

Hurricane Sandy has affected millions of people, destroyed billions in property, and changed lives forever. Why am I using my often tongue-in-cheek Prostate Cancer Blog to talk about a natural disaster? Well, I have friends and family on the east coast. My grandkids are OK and only had to survive four days without power. I feel an obligation to help. My life is good so helping someone else is a no brainer.

A small donation to the RED CROSS is a good start. It's amazingly easy.

Be generous.

axman