Covid & Cancer: disease and vaccination, Vitamin D, HER2+ News, Integrative Resources
15th issue: Contents
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): What People With Breast Cancer Need to Know
- Cancer Patients Respond Poorly to First COVID mRNA Vax Dose
- Why Women Experience COVID and the Vaccines Differently Than Men
- The Nancy’s List Directory of Integrative Therapists and Healing Centers
- New HER2-Targeting Therapies Jostle for a Place in the Treatment Lineup
- Vitamin D for All Over 50s to Prevent Cancer Deaths?
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): What People With Breast Cancer Need to Know
“Some breast cancer treatments — including chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy — can weaken the immune system and possibly cause lung problems… People with breast cancer that has metastasized (spread) to the lungs also can have lung problems that may get worse if they develop COVID-19.”
My two cents: Does it ever feel like the universe is picking on you? As if we don’t have enough to deal with!
• Cancer Patients Respond Poorly to First COVID mRNA Vax Dose
“Barely one-quarter of patients with cancer obtained protection against COVID-19 after one dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, a prospective study showed. The data found a “strikingly low” 28% immune efficacy rate in patients with cancer”
My two cents: Again… do you ever feel like the universe is picking on you? Damned if we do, damned if we don’t.
• Why Women Experience COVID and the Vaccines Differently Than Men
“Data from the CDC suggests side effects from the vaccines are worse in women; for example, 63 of the total 66 reported cases of anaphylaxis happened in women…”
My two cents: Well, that doesn’t seem fair. Now you’re picking on me because I’m a woman! Especially since “women have been forced out of the workplace at disproportionate rates — hitting the lowest level of female participation in the workplace since 1988”.
• The Nancy’s List Directory of Integrative Therapists and Healing Centers
“Integrative cancer care treats the disease with surgery, chemotherapy and other conventional tools, while also supporting a patient’s strengths, stamina and quality of life with evidence-informed complementary approaches such as diet, targeted supplements, and mind-body approaches.”
My two cents: This list is presented by another cancer blogger. Just as I believe there should be no competition between women, I believe there should be no competition between cancer bloggers. We are all on the same side, supporting everyone we can in the quest to empower you to take charge of your healing and assemble a team that can support you and maximize your healing.
• New HER2-Targeting Therapies Jostle for a Place in the Treatment Lineup
“There are now 8 HER2-targeting agents available for patients with mBC, Hurvitz said; these include 3 new drugs that the FDA approved in the past 15 months.”
My two cents: The good news is that more and more treatments are prolonging life for this aggressive form of breast cancer. The bad news is it’s a bit of information overload. If you are HER2+ I suggest at least jotting the names down to discuss with your oncologist.
• Vitamin D for All Over 50s to Prevent Cancer Deaths?
“The recent data show a consistent and significant 13% reduction in cancer mortality with vitamin D… German researchers have proposed that all patients older than 50 years receive vitamin D supplements. If all persons older than 50 in Germany were given a daily dose of 1000 IU of vitamin D, almost 30,000 cancer deaths a year could be prevented, and Germany’s annual costs for cancer care would be slashed by more than €250 ($300) million.”
My two cents: So NOW they’re paying attention to what I’ve been saying all along (and banging the drum until you were sick of it. LOL) And it took showing how boosting your immune system can save tons of money to get them to sit up and take notice. I have finally gotten my tested levels up to the high end of normal and I am not afraid of CoVid nor cancer because of it!
Cancer in the News has a posting frequency of once every two weeks to once a month.
