A recent study from Columbia University Medical Center concludes that less than half of early-stage breast cancer patients complete their full prescribed course of hormone therapy. Paola Rode, MD, a medical oncologist at Lahey, addresses why that is, and why it is important for patients to comply.
“Women stop taking their medication because of factors like [...]

Our guest blogger is Elizabeth Fayram, RD, LDN, outpatient oncology dietitian at Lahey Clinic.
Bone loss can be a common side effect for patients undergoing cancer treatment. Factors that contribute to bone health may be specific treatment types, poor appetite and unintentional weight loss, and a sedentary lifestyle. If you are taking certain medications that may [...]

Oral cancers are being seen in greater numbers throughout the nation, despite the decline in smoking. But what has emerged as a cause for this cancer is not the usual smoking and alcohol drinking associated with head and neck cancers. It may be another factor, the HPV virus, or human papilomavirus, transmitted sexually.
In fact, doctors [...]

Robert Svensson is a handsome 80-year-old with a young man’s body and zest for life.  In 1989, after a radical prostatectomy, and 30 radiation treatments, Svensson was moving along just fine with his PSAs, until 10 years ago when his numbers starting climbing.
Svensson, a 30-year Lahey patient, began chemotherapy on the recommendation of his doctors. [...]

One of the most common fears before beginning chemotherapy is whether you will experience nausea and vomiting (N&V). Thankfully, over the last 20 years, drugs that prevent nausea and vomiting, called antiemetics, have significantly improved our ability to control this most unwanted side effect. Given orally or intravenously, these antiemetics may be administered before or [...]

 
Elaine L. Costello, RN, OCN, has practiced cancer nursing for 35 years, all of it at Lahey Clinic. She has seen the evolution in diagnosing and treating cancer and how patients are participating more in the medical care they receive. Costello shares the changes she has observed over the years.
Has the typical cancer patient changed? [...]

A new therapeutic “vaccine” for advanced, hormone-resistant metastatic prostate cancer is now available at a handful of medical centers that participated in its Phase III clinical trial. The drug is called Provenge, and while it will not prevent the disease in the true meaning of the word “vaccine,” it will coach the body’s immune system [...]

On Saturday, Lahey Clinic will hold its Fifth Annual Cancer Walk, at two locations, Burlington and Peabody. This special occasion honors cancer patients and families who are on the road to recovery and sadly, those who have lost their battle. Judy Newberne, of Bedford, is a featured patient-speaker at the Burlington event.

As vice president of [...]

What does an oncology social worker do? 
An oncology social worker provides counseling, education, and referrals to community resources for people with cancer and their family members. Oncology social workers recognize that cancer affects not just the patient, but the entire family.
 “When an individual is diagnosed with cancer, their entire family system goes into shock,” [...]

Hormonal therapy for prostate cancer can be up to 85 percent effective in men with advanced prostate cancer, says Christopher Tretter, MD, a medical oncologist at Lahey. The therapy works by reducing the levels of male hormones, called androgens, or testosterone. Lowering these levels shrinks cancer or slows its growth. Yet this therapy is not [...]