Cancer Resources

Hearing you or a loved one has Cancer is never easy. Per the American Cancer Society, in 2019 an estimated 1,762,450 new cancer cases were to be diagnosed and 606,880 cancer deaths were to be anticipated in the United States.  So if you are one, please know you are not alone and there are many resources available to help you on this journey.  There is much information AND misinformation on the internet for treatment options. Please if you do not read any further, please at least save and utilize the NCCN- National Comprehensive Cancer Network as your go to cancer treatment resources. NCCN is a collaborative network of the top cancer physicians (Oncologists) and researchers across the country. These specialist work together and identify cancer trends based on cancer type, treatment outcomes and agree to have NCCN as the centralized host, storing of all of this information.  Be your own Advocate and ensure your Oncologist is utilizing the most current treatment trends, based on scientific data, created by the Top Specialists across the country, this guarantees you the BEST opportunity for the best survival outcome. 

No one ever wants to think about or discuss the end of Life, but we are all born and eventually we will all pass away. Advanced Care Planning, puts you in control of your death and what measures you would like or not like when your time of death is near. When you complete the forms, it can be the most powerful gift to your loved ones. They now will know your End of Life Care wishes regarding; Life Support, Breathing and Feeding Tubes, Nursing Homes, Organ Donation and so much more. Hopefully you will not need these for many years to come, but when you do they will be completed and your wishes known.

 The ACS- American Cancer Society has live chat and supportive resources available in your community for you by calling them @ 1-800-227-2345. So whether you need help understanding your diagnosis, Treatment support including affording your treatment, Free Lodging if you have to travel for care "Hope Lodge," wig assistance, Road to Recovery (ride assistance), Support groups, Reach for Recovery (Breast Cancer Support),  Survivor  Support during and after Treatment, preparing for side effects of treatment; like ginger tea as ginger is a natural/herbal remedy for nausea, the ACS is free and available to help. They also accept donations to continue to be able to help future cancer patients and their families.  

Did you know from January 2020 to November 19, 2020 approximately 32.579 Organ Transplants were completed? It is certainly amazing!! Some patients can wait for years on the Organ wait list. But Living Donor Organ Transplants can help save lives and dramatically decrease those wait times. This is especially helpful for patients with renal failure in need of a Kidney Transplant. UNOS is the United Network for Organ Sharing Non for Profit organization that manages the Nations Organ Transplant System; 24 hours a day, 7 days a week they are working to coordinate patients in need of an organ transplant across the country.  So whether you are in need of an organ transplant or looking for transplant information this site can help support you Live Your BEST Life Yet for you. Also please consider Giving the gift of life and being an Organ Donor and mark it on your drivers license so others know your wishes;  remember 1 deceased person can often impact and give to over 20 other peoples lives. 

Clinical Trials are clinical study treatments available for a wide variety of diseases and conditions. As of 11/19/20 there are currently 358,508 open Clinical Trials in 50 states and 218 countries.  The purpose of the trials are to study a treatment path and verify if it effective. Clinical Trials have 5 Phases; Early Phase 1 (previous Phase 0) where investigation begins to see how or whether the treatment will even affect the body, Phase 1 Treatment effects the body and study continues to see safety of the treatment, Phase 2 determines what is the efficacy (will the treatment work) vs a placebo, Phase 3 is when the treatment is known to now work and a dosage study is now in progress; this phase is just prior to FDA approval and Phase 4 is FDA approval of the treatment for use for specific diseases and conditions. Many states now have mandated coverage (it has to be covered if you meet the trial criteria) for Fully Insured plan types, double check with your Insurance and see if it’s covered vs denied as “Experimental Services are considered Non-Covered services under this plan. “ If so please reach out and email us if you receive this for additional support. 

Both Palliative Care and Hospice Care focus on your Medical Care to ensure your comfortable. You do not need to be at the End of Life for a Palliative Care Team visit. Palliative Care consultations can be completed on anyone in a hospital; ensuring all aspects of you being comfortable are being best managed. Hospice Care is End of Life Care for the terminally Ill patient; they are usually expected to live  6 months or less (yes many do live longer). At the time of diagnosis or due to their condition or disease status, life is anticipated to be shorter. Both services have a multi-disciplinary team of Doctors, Nurses, Social Workers, Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapists, Respiratory Therapists, Pastoral Care (Priest, Pastors or a Lay Person) and dieticians to discuss together with you and often your family; your wishes, your concerns and develop a plan together to ensure all of your needs are being met.  Medicare and most Insurances cover Hospice Services, but not always ongoing Palliative care. It is certainly best and recommended to call your Insurance Carrier regarding coverages and or limitations or not under your plan. Home Hospice Services under Medicare pays for intermittent staffing to care for patients at home but doesn't provide coverage for 24/7 in person care. Medical Equipment and most prescription medications related to the treatment of your End of Life care needs are covered under hospice vs none of these are covered under Palliative Care. Hospice usually provides emotional support for you, your family and that continued family support remains for up to 1 yr after death as needed. 

Natural Herbal and Plant remedies have been used for centuries and is often considered as Complimentary, Holistic and/or Integrative Medicine.  Many Tertiary Treatment centers now offer Integrative Medicine in their therapeutic, multi-disciplinary treatment planning.  For anyone combining traditional treatment/medications with herbal therapies it can be very tricky as well as potentially dangerous/life threatening for anyone uneducated in this area. Herbal Remedies are not monitored by the FDA or any governing body and can have significant negative side effects when combined with prescription medications.  Please reach out to a specialist like an Integrative Medicine physician before adding or changing your treatment plan when herbals are involved.