Cancer Never Stops. We Can't Either.

Once October and the great breast cancer awareness promotions end, cancer continues. Women who were diagnosed this year will still be in treatment, whether they are finishing up chemo, healing from surgery, or about to begin a five or six week course of radiation therapy.

So please put an asterick on your calendar for a month from now. Given how busy all of our lives are you will probably won't remember what the asterisk is for. If you think that's the case go ahead and color the asterick in pink ink, or purple, which is the color for universal cancer awareness.

When you see the asterisk then, say a little prayer. Meditate on all those affected by cancer. We'll still be out here working, because cancer does not stop.

Neither do I.

Thank you all for your support. It means more than you know.

#BCSM 2/20: Deconstructing Health Headlines with Gary Schwitzer

We're bombarded with health headlines 24/7, ranging from the latest Hollywood "alkaline diet" hyped this past week in Houston to the elevation of pop-star Adele's surgeon to miracle worker status.

           While we can shrug off an obvious fluff piece,  making important distinctions on medical studies, procedures and what truly constitutes true breakthroughs are essential when you have cancer. Were we to believe everything that's been reported, a number "highly promising" cures have been "right around the corner" on numerous occasions.  Honing a critical sense is essential for effectively managing cancer care.

           To help us separate the fact from fiction, boldface from embellished, I'm thrilled to welcome health care journalist and critic Gary Schwitzer to #BCSM tomorrow night.  The publisher of the well-respected Health News Review  will walk us through the review criteria for analyzing studies, the ABC's of health care reporting (accuracy, balance, completeness) and suggestions on making the most of reported information.
           If you aren't yet following @GarySchwitzer and @HealthNewsReview, I think you should start today. It's important for your own health and critical in becoming an effective advocate for others.
          Other important links for empowered health care:

• Foundation for Informed Decision Making, which supports Health News 
• Society for Participatory Medicine  (of which I am a member)
• PCORI, established in 2010 by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. 

If you have specific questions you'd like addressed in tomorrow's chat please leave me a comment or drop me an email at jschoger@gmail.com.

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