SGO from a Distance- Part 2

Before I begin sharing some tweets from yesterday's SGO Annual Meeting I want to share Ovarian Cancer Prevention: Ready for Prime Time a commentary written by Otis Brawley, MD in the ACS Journal CANCER. Initially the letter was not available to those who were not subscribers to CANCER. But after tweeting about survivors / advocates having to pay $6 to read the letter, editors made the commentary as well as the original article ( Society of Gynecologic Oncology recommendations for the prevention of ovarian cancer) available to all free of charge. Thank you to Wiley and the editors of the ACS Journal CANCER for responding within hours to my request.

 Where You Are Treated is Important:

Ovarian carcinoma patients should be treated in 'high volume' hospitals #SGO2015 pic.twitter.com/qi1UVP5VL8
— Jurgen Piek (@JurgenPiek) March 30, 2015

Pap Test & Ovarian Cancer:

#gyncsm @JurgenPiek #SGO2015 study dr Kinde shows that ovarian carcinoma can be detected with PAP smears pic.twitter.com/w6Zqfs6Xql
— Women of Teal (@womenofteal) March 30, 2015

Do Ovarian Cancer Survivors Know their BRCA Status?

#gyncsm @csewardallred @TargetedOnc Only 25% of pts with #ovariancancer know their #BRCA status. Poster 443 #SGO2015 pic.twitter.com/Bbj0SJkdTA
— Women of Teal (@womenofteal) March 30, 2015

Cediranib and Endometrial Cancer:

dr Bender shows another promissing targeted therapy, cediranib, tested in endometrial carcinoma #SGO2015. pic.twitter.com/GsxX2XK05Q
— Jurgen Piek (@JurgenPiek) March 30, 2015

Ruciparib Effectiveness in Ovarian Cancer:

Great talk from dr Swisher #SGO2015 on PARP inhibitor effectiveness also in non brca germline mutation related ovcar pic.twitter.com/LcWnRQAS4L
— Jurgen Piek (@JurgenPiek) March 30, 2015

Cervical Cancer and Bevacizumab:

#gyncsm RT @byandrewjroth Patients with Cervical Cancer and CTCs Treated With Bevacizumab Show Improved OS http://t.co/59QgTnJ18O #sgo2015
— Women of Teal (@womenofteal) March 30, 2015

Solving the Health Care Problem

Michael Porter on solving the Health care problem #SGO2015 pic.twitter.com/Ot5SnC7rgH
— Richard Barakat (@barakatmd) March 30, 2015

Thanks so much to all the docs and researchers at SGO for sharing their insights during the Annual Meeting.

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

SGO From a Distance

Due to family commitments I was unable to attend this year's SGO Annual Meeting in Chicago. I did though follow a number of advocates and physicians who were tweeting live from the event. Here are some of the high points of the sessions from Saturday and Sunday.

Dr. Barakat announces 2 milestones: 2,000 members & 2,000 attendees #SGO2015 pic.twitter.com/XIAdE1imwW
— SGO (@SGO_org) March 28, 2015

#SGO2015 Over 80% of cancer care in US delivered by community oncologists. "We need to enhance access to clinical trials in the community."
— SGO (@SGO_org) March 29, 2015

Ovarian Cancer:

#sgo2015 MEK inhibitor toxicities may limit long term use in patients with low-grade serous ovarian cancer.
— Eijean Wu, MD (@eijeanMD) March 27, 2015

Excellent presentation on genetic basis of ovarian ca #SGO2015 pic.twitter.com/SUcZQZ5Eg0
— Nadeem R. Abu-Rustum (@aburustummd) March 28, 2015

Genetic Testing for Gynecologic Cancer, What You Need to Know @SGO_org @Pathologists #SGO2015 #gyncsm https://t.co/hoEcTbqISV
— Michael Misialek, MD (@DrMisialek) March 28, 2015

Check out Rob Coleman's video on highlights of 213 https://t.co/celCb2MvwZ #SGO2015
— Barbara Goff (@goffsgo) March 29, 2015

#SGO2015 conclusion Dr Ian Jacobs on ovarian ca screening. pic.twitter.com/fIjHDynuvl
— Nadeem R. Abu-Rustum (@aburustummd) March 29, 2015

@womenofteal @drdonsdizon RANDOMIZED PHASE 2 EVALUATION OF BEVACIZUMAB VERSUS BEVACIZUMAB/FOSBRETABULIN IN RECURRENT OVARIAN, TUBAL OR PP
— Annie Ellis (@Stigetta) March 29, 2015

Clinical Trials:

@ShannonWestin @erinstevensmd @drdonsdizon SGO statement on clinical trial endpoints https://t.co/LfrpCLQJHZ #SGO2015
— Jen Burzawa (@jburzawa) March 28, 2015

Vaccines:

"@TargetedOnc: FANG Vaccine Markedly Decreases Disease Recurrence in Phase II Ovarian Cancer Trial http://t.co/cgDyYXBgvk #sgo2015"
— Don S Dizon (@drdonsdizon) March 29, 2015

Gradalis FANG™ Tumor Vaccine Stimulates Immune Response and Doubles PFS  in  Advanced Ovarian Cancer | @scoopit http://t.co/kYvQ6wFjgt
— Krishan Maggon (@kkmaggon) June 20, 2014

 Genetics/ BRCA Mutations:

#SGO2015 Ian Jacobs. Most BRCA mutation carriers don't have a family hx of cancer pic.twitter.com/M0Sp798Tqw
— Jurgen Piek (@JurgenPiek) March 29, 2015

Sad Sobering Statistic: Nearly HALF of all women w/ #ovariancancer & #BRCA mutation have no history of HBOC cancers. #SGO2015 #mustDobetter
— Lisa M Guzzardi, RN (@LguzzardiM) March 29, 2015

Risk Reducing Surgery:

Love actionable slides! #SGO2015 pic.twitter.com/zwM7QFBz9t
— Jeff F. Lin (@JeffLinMD) March 29, 2015

HPV:

@aburustummd #SGO2015 conclusions from HPV 9 presentation Dr Joura pic.twitter.com/mutMtjRkCY #gyncsm #HPV #Cervicalcancer
— Women of Teal (@womenofteal) March 29, 2015

Exercise:

#SGO2015 Poster: Survival of the fittest: can exercise prolong time to ovca recurrence? M Onstad MDAnderson #gyncsm pic.twitter.com/jcZsaFRLYL
— Annie Ellis (@Stigetta) March 29, 2015

I certainly appreciate the efforts of those attending the meeting to let us at home be on top of the latest research in gynecologic cancers.

Dee
Every Day is a blessing!

Family

Our family tree - a gift from my son and daughter-in-law

Last weekend was filled with joyful celebration. We traveled to Auburn, Alabama to attend my son's wedding. My husband and I were so happy to welcome a very beautiful, caring, smart and talented "daughter" into our family and we were touched by the family and friends (both ours and my daughter-in-law's) who made the trip to witness the beginning of Matt and Amanda's new life together.

In 2008, a few weeks after my surgery for a recurrence,  two very good friends gave me an  Operation Bling Foundation necklace. During the past few years I took it out often and looked at it and thought about the support my friends provided and smiled.  But it never seemed the right time to wear it. The right time was on Saturday when I was there for a milestone in  my son's life.

I know I've written this many times before on this blog but back in 2005 I did not think I would see my son graduate college, get his Master's degree or marry. But there I was sitting in the front row with my grandson on my lap watching him and his wife say their vows. Holding back tears. Feeling very blessed.


Dee
Every Day is a Blessing! Blessed to have Amanda as part of our family.

A Teal Walk for Ovarian Cancer Research - The Sandy Sprint

No need to wait until September to help raise awareness of ovarian cancer and funds for research. You can take part in the Sandy Sprint Super Hero 5K/10K this April. The Sprint is hosted by the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation at the Philadephia Art Museum in Philadelphia.  This year is extra special as the Foundation will celebrate its 15th Anniversary.

While not required participants are encouraged to dress as their favorite Super Heros and to raise $150. If you are unable to attend you may participate as a Sleepwalker. Last year's almost 4000 participants raised $252,000 for research. Funds raised at this year's event will support the Ovarian Cancer Dream Team and the Ovarian Cancer Research Grant Program.  

I have completed this walk in the past and had lots of fun with other survivors and caregivers. These survivors would love for you to help out this year.

To register visit www.sandysprint15.kintera.org
Online registration closes on Wednesday April 22nd.


Dee
Every Day is a Blessing! Blessed for Foundations like Sandy Rollman who are raising funds for research and a cure.

Your Immune System and Cancer Treatment - Cancer Support Community Free Progam

Research into developing  immunotherapy treatments for various cancer has increased dramatically over the past few years. Here is a link to an article on the immunotherapy treatments for advanced melanoma and cervical cancer that were highlighted at the 2014 ASCO Annual meeting. 

In an effort to inform patients about immunotherapy treatments a free workshop on your immune system and immunotherapy as a cancer treatment will be presented in NJ.

Thursday , April 16, 2015

6:00-8:00 PM 

Bridgewater Manor

1251 US 202/206 

Bridgewater NJ

Dinner will be served.

Registration is required . Please contact Cancer Support Community Central Jersey at (908)-658-5400 to register (www.cancersupportcnj.org) .

Please click on the image above for speaker information and sponsors of the event.

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing! 

Subway Series, Teal and NOCC

Help raise funds to assist NOCC in it's mission to raise awareness and support women with ovarian cancer by taking part in this exciting sporting event.

A portion (15%) of the regular price tickets sold for the 4:05 pm April 25th Yankees vs  Mets baseball game at Yankee Stadium will go to NOCC.
Please click on the image below for more information or see
--> http://nocc.kintera.org/YankeesMets.

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

Real Rock Stars

I watched NED (No Evidence of Disease) - the Movie a few nights ago. A local PBS station was broadcasting it so I set my DVR.  The documentary is about six gynecologic oncologists, talented musicians, who form a band. As NED plays concerts we get to meet some of the band member's patients and biggest fans.

I have wanted to watch the Movie since it was released but I was uncertain of how I would react to it. It turns out I experienced all the reactions I thought I would.  First, let me say I loved the music.  It was so nice to see the personal sides of the doctors.  I smiled as I watched them hug their patients because that is the type of relationship I have with my gyn onc. I nodded my head as the patients told their stories and I cried as I watched and listened to a husband whose wife had passed away.

I know there are many worthwhile quotes from the movie but these are three of my favorites.

"...Breast cancer might have pink ribbons but we have a Rock Band." And what a talented Band they are!

"Awareness is the first step." Not all gyn cancers have screening tests so being aware of changes in a women's body is important to diagnosis.

"...spirit is what makes you a woman." It is difficult to feel feminine when you have had your ovaries , fallopian tubes, uterus etc  removed  and  have no hair during treatment but this patient was so right when she talked about a woman's spirit.

Be sure to check out the movie's website ( http://www.nedthemovie.com/ ) for the broadcast schedule and the band's website (http://www.nedtheband.com )  to learn more about the band members and their music. I highly recommend NED the Movie. 

Thank You

John Boggess, M.D.

Joanie Hope, M.D.

Nimesh Nagarsheth, M.D.

William "Rusty" Robinson, M.D.

John Soper, M.D.

William Winter, M.D.

for sharing your talents - medical and musical with us. 

 

Thank You 

patients and families for sharing your narrative.

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing!