A Diet to Die For! Breast Cancer in Canada.

I received an email from Princess Margaret Hospital about their new fast track “Rapid Diagnosis”, which, in essence, says that women can have a biopsy and a treatment plan within hours.

I guess some people might find that a good thing, but having gone through breast cancer myself, there is way too much information to absorb to make such a life-changing decision within a few hours of a diagnosis.

Am I the only one that finds this a not-so-good thing? Are women really that uninterested to learn more about their cancer before taking directions from a  bunch of strangers, all spewing the same thing.

Let me guess … the Rapid Diagnosis treatment options are:

1. Lumpectomy + radiation: Recovery time is only a few hours to a few days.
2. Radiation + lumpectomy + further radiation: Recovery time is also only a few days since radiation is not painful or invasive.
3. Chemotherapy + surgery + further chemotherapy + radiation: Recovery time is approximately one year.

Number 3 was the so-called “treatment plan” I was told I needed — basically, they throw everything at you and hope that something sticks.

From the time I had the biopsy to the time I received a treatment plan, it was exactly one week — and a bunch of strangers (pathologist, surgical oncologist and medical oncologist) had already decided what my plan should be — all strangers who didn’t ask me a single question about what might be best for me.

I can’t imagine what I would be like now had I not researched everything I could about the type of breast cancer I have — not all breast cancers are created equal and I really hope the women who utilize Rapid Diagnosis take time to think about all the options they have, and not be brain dead.

On May 1, 2009, I received the following eNews regarding The Weekend to End Breast Cancer.

See links below if you want your own copy of their eNewsletter — and in this day and age, they, too, don’t know how to make clickable links — hint: add http:// in front of addresses. Simple really. Ironically

The seventh annual Weekend To End Breast Cancer (WEBC) benefiting The Princess Margaret is just four months away, set for September 12th and 13th of this year. We have made several changes to this year’s event. We now offer the option of a one-day Walk (Saturday the 12th) for those that might find the
two-day event just a little too much, either in time invested or in fundraising. We also listened to your suggestions and are now offering Walkers the option of designating their fundraising to either breast cancer or other women’s cancers, including ovarian, endometrial (uterine) and cervical. And finally, the
Day Zero registration has been eliminated, too – Walkers will now register online.

The money raised through our The Weekend To End Breast Cancer greatly assists our research scientists and clinicians at The Princess Margaret. The funds are targeted to breast cancer and gynecological cancer research, clinical enhancements and survivorship support. Money raised from The 2008 WEBC was used for The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research led by Dr. Tak Mak ($5 million), to support a comprehensive breast imaging program ($1.7 million), to support Dr. David McCready’s Rapid Diagnostic Breast Cancer pilot project ($460,000), for breast cancer research at MaRS (Medical and Related Science) ($1.5 million), for on-going support of the WEBC survivorship program ($1.28 million), to support the Pathology Tumour Bank at The Princess Margaret ($700,000) and to support Dr. Norman Boyd’s research into breast cancer prevention ($250,000).

As you’ll read in this newsletter, Dr. Pam Ohashi and Dr. Tak Mak have made a significant advancement in cancer research. These victories are more and more frequent, and put us one step closer to conquering cancer in our lifetime. You’ll also meet Todd Herzog, and discover how he faced breast cancer. We’ll tell you about a gynecological cancer symposium being held at The Princess Margaret on May 6 and about The WEBC Family Event at the Blue Jays on Saturday, June 6.

I am so looking forward to this year’s Weekend To End Breast Cancer, as I always do. My team, The Marilyns, will be the ones wearing pink gloves and boas. And I hope to meet many of you during the weekend or along the route. I never conclude The WEBC without going through a myriad of emotions – elation, courage, melancholy, hopefulness – there is never a doubt that The Weekend To End Breast Cancer is a life-altering experience. WEBC represents the greatest elements of the human spirit. If you haven’t already done so, why not join us this year? Or, consider donating to someone who has already registered.

Whether you are a Walker, a donor or a volunteer, my sincere thanks!

Paul Alofs
President & CEO
The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation

—–

SCIENTISTS DISCOVER IMPROVED IMMUNE RESPONSE TO CANCER

Research by Dr. Pam Ohashi and Dr. Tak Mak reveals that a patient’s own cells could destroy tumours

To Read More Visit www.pmhf.ca/Pages/NewsAndMedia/NewsStory.aspx?s=506

—–

MOTHER-DAUGHTER BREAST DENSITY POINTS WAY TO EARLIER CANCER RISK ASSESSMENT

Dr. Norman Boyd’s research indicates breast density in younger women could be breast cancer risk later in life

To Read More Visit www.pmhf.ca/Pages/NewsAndMedia/NewsStory.aspx?s=508

———-

BREAST CANCER IN MALES

Todd Herzog faced his second battle with cancer

To Read More Visit www.pmhf.ca/Pages/ItsPersonal/ItsPersonal.Story.aspx?s=106

———-

Share My Story – www.pmhf-uhn.ca/Pages/ItsPersonal/ShareYourStory.aspx

Join Facebook – www.facebook.com/friends/#/group.php?gid=34982193627

Donate Now – www.pmhf-uhn.ca/Pages/Donate/Default.aspx

Privacy Policy – www.pmhf.ca/Pages/PopUps/Privacy.html
Contact Us – www.pmhf.ca/Pages/ContactUs/

Princess Margaret Hospital’s Web Site – www.pmhf.ca/index.html

———-

The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation
A Member of the University Health Network
Tel: 416-946-6560
Fax: 416-946-6563
Toll Free: 1-866-224-6560
Web: www.pmhf.ca