Joining forces are The Van Andel Institute and Spectrum Health and Cancer & Hematology Centers of Western Michigan, to deliver the Phase 1 first-in-human, anti-cancer drug trails to Grand Rapids, Michigan.
This new endeavor provides those cancer patients who have tried every cancer treatment choices, now may have the possibility of not having to endure long traveling in order to take part of studies that may increase their life span. The overall intention will draw the attention of the foremost researchers, physicians and pharmaceutical companies to collaborate in order for the medications which are produced locally will aide patients in West Michigan first and foremost.
Dr. Mark Campbell from Spectrum, whose team of 16 oncologists supervise treatments of the 3,100 patients who are just diagnosed each year at Spectrum. Dr. Campbell states a hardship would occur if the invention is made here first but is first announced in Boston or elsewhere.
Dr. Campbell goes on to state it is “Hope on the hill”in attempting to give persons who no longer have an conventional choices available to them the hope they badly need. This is in reference to Spectrum’s yearly fund raising event on Michigan Street hill.
In patients such as Ellen DeBoer of Grand Rapids, who currently has an advancing form of breast cancer, which came back from remission in 2007 and now has spread into her chest wall. She has underwent more than ten kinds of chemotherapy treatments, received reconstructive surgery, and endured radiation treatments since 2001. Currently there are no available options left for her to try.
This past April Ms. DeBoer had the opportunity when she qualified for Phase 1 drug trail in Detroit, however, after the day spent there she had decided against participating due to the fact of having to travel to another cities location every three weeks, this causing a hardship on herself and her families.
Ms. DeBoer who is currently 58 years old states that first hand she is aware of the emotional and physical aspects it removes from your body and what is gone through with the mileage and placing yourself in the care of completely different doctors you do not know at all which is frightening. She is ecstatic that Grand Rapids has this chance because she would not want her daughter to have to go through this. Nor does she want others to either.
Last week an agreement was signed by the three individualists which requests cost sharing and especially for the Van Andel Institute to specify researchers for the program and Cancer & Hematology Centers to provide cancer physicians and the patient referrals. Spectrum will contribute the actual space at its Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion.
Spectrum’s vice president Lisa Shannon remarks “No one entity really could be effective in this as our partnership will bring”.
Dr. Daniel Von Hoff will head up the unit. Dr. Hoff of Phoenix who is acknowledged as a leader in Phase 1 first-in-human anti-cancer drug trails who had executed more than 300 within the last 28 years.
Dr. Von Hoff is the executive vice president and director of clinical research at the Phoenix based Translational Genomic Research Institute (Tgen) which is intently associated with Van Andel Institute.
Dr. Hoff will be rejoined with Dr. Timothy O’Rourke of Cancer & Hematology Centers and chair of cancer research at Spectrum who will preside as the medical director. They had formerly worked together conducting tests on 13 anti-cancer drugs when Dr. O’Rourke was in Texas.
By way of a telephone interview from Arizona, Dr. Hoff state that there are minimal locations where the local populace that can obtain new drug therapies during a stage when it is becoming more critical to give that availability promptly. He also mentions only around three percent of patients who are eligible throughout the nation participate in drug trails, however research indicates that more would do it if they were given the chance. Dr. Hoff continues by remarking that back in the days most of things they had possessed just did not work however, currently there is a larger difference due to the fact of improvement in science. This signifies that when it is tried on persons first it provides the possibility of working for them.
Dr. Hoff home base will be staying in Arizona, however he will be in Grand Rapids for as much time is required to set up the program and recruit extra persons.
Director Jeffrey Trent, VIA president and director states this achievement not only builds relationships with drug companies but will also draw the attention of leading scientists and physicians along with providing a resource to seek federal funding and foundation support.
Along with cancer comes an array of emotional and physical problems. Among them chronic pain. It has been estimated that at least 60% of all cancer patients seek alternative treatments to help alleviate the pain associated to this disease. Below are a few alternative treatments which can be effective and have no side effects and considered safe.
Chiropractic
Reviews have shown that chiropractic treatments in cancer patients are not only inexpensive but is also is a efficient treatment plan for the reduction of pain and suffering among cancer patients. It also provides the possibility of improvement in overall health. It is also advocated that clinical physicians should reinforce the use of chiropractic services for cancer patients. Chiropractic care is one of the top alternative medicine treatments in comparison to traditional treatments for cancer patients.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is also efficient in pain control. It is also productive for post operative local swelling. It has also helped to relieve nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy treatments and certain medications.
The outcomes of acupuncture treatments are dependent upon various factors which include which symptoms are displayed, the degree of the cancer along with the areas which are involved. It is more than likely it can help aide in symptoms associated with cancer.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is totally safe and helpful in areas of pain from procedures, nausea along with anxiety.
Therapeutic massage is recommended however, should not be used during chemotherapy treatments as pallets and white blood counts may decrease past normal levels and during radiation treatments where minor burns have been known to occur. The massage therapist needs to know exactly the cancer type and treatments being received so they can apply the correct pressure along with areas to avoid and any potential side effects.
Yoga
Leading cancer centers in the United States are now listing yoga as a choice treatment for cancer patients. Yoga a practice of non aerobic exercise which consists of exact postures, breathing exercises along with meditation. It can be helpful in aiding the reduction of some cancer symptoms and help to heighten relaxation. Yoga has been shown to be useful for reducing fatigue in patients who are having radiation treatment.
Reflexology (foot)
Reflexology does help in immediate relief in pain strength and anxiety. Sessions run about thirty minutes in length.
In 1998 The American Cancer Society indicated that at least one third of cancer patients use it as one of the alternative treatments. The American College of Physicians and American Society for American Medicine Web advocate its use for home patients with advanced cancer.Sources:
Michigan Live
MSNBC
Chiropractic Resources
Medical Acupuncture
Springer Link
Aurora Health Care
Emax Health
U.S. National Library of Medicine
