Categories for Diagnostics

Watch our Free Cancer Advocacy Webinar

Published by on July 14, 2021 1 Comment

By now, you probably know that we love to empower cancer patients and their loved ones. It’s really, ultimately, what we do here at Cancer Treatment Options and Management (or, as we like to say, C-TOAM). That’s why I made this cancer advocacy webinar for you… It’s all about the realities of our healthcare system and how you can advocate for better cancer care. Plus, I pull back the curtain on our step-by-step roadmap for 7 new ways to beat cancer. This is the same system that CTOAM’s Research Scientist, Alex Rolland, has used to prepare treatment plans for oncologists at renowned treatment centres and hospitals all over the world! (Including The Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, and MD Anderson.) I’ll show you how we do...
Read Article

From Coma to Complete Remission: Kayleigh’s Incredible Story

Published by on June 23, 2021 | Share your thoughts

Is complete remission really possible when you’re stage IV? With precision oncology, yes! “We got a call from my oncologist saying that I had a complete response to my treatment – that was probably the best day of my life.” In April 2021, Kayleigh achieved complete remission from a rare form of blood cancer. But, you should know… Kayleigh and her husband, Cassidy, had been through hell before Kayleigh was able to finally get the treatment she needed. Standard care had taken WAY too long to diagnose her rare form of lymphoma.  The Worst Case Scenario… They were in dire straights: Kayleigh was in a life-threatening coma.  Cassidy was terrified, frantically researching any and all options that could save his wife’s life. He’d quickly realized...
Read Article

My Personal Health Crisis

Published by on May 19, 2021 | Share your thoughts

CTOAM Co-Founder Michelle Morand shares her recent personal health crisis – and what cancer patients can learn from it. For three years, I’d been repeatedly visiting my doctor with the same complaint:  I was experiencing a lot of pain, plus the feeling of a mass, in my pelvic area. I had pap tests and x-rays and manual examinations… And each time the doctors told me it was nothing.  Eventually the pain got so bad that I just couldn’t stand to hear someone tell me it was ‘nothing’ anymore. So I finally took matters into my own hands: I shelled out $2,000 for a PET/CT scan to see what was actually going on inside of me… Within 48 hours I had the information I needed (or at...
Read Article

PET/CT Scan

PET/CT for Cancer – Explained!

Published by on May 5, 2021 2 Comments

Why is a PET/CT scan for cancer important? If you’ve ever been diagnosed with cancer, you’ve undoubtedly heard the term ‘CT scan’ pop up.  And, if you’re lucky, you’ve also heard a bit about PET/CT scans… But what’s the difference between these two types of imaging?  And why is it that most doctors will usually only send you for a CT scan…and not a PET/CT for cancer?  These are important q’s that directly relate to your cancer treatment success… And you need to understand the answers in order to be able to advocate more effectively for yourself. That’s why I’ve put together a comprehensive guide for you that’s all about PET/CT scans (and why they’re different from CT scans)… And I want to give it...
Read Article

How to Beat Stage 4 Neuroendocrine Cancer

Published by on March 24, 2021 | Share your thoughts

“I’m just really grateful. Because I don’t think Korey would still be here if we weren’t involved with you.” That’s Erin talking about her husband, Korey, who went from a rare, complex stage 4 neuroendocrine cancer diagnosis to remission in less than a year. Sounds too good to be true, I know – but it’s not. This is the power of Precision Oncology. And it all started with Erin and Korey’s unshakable determination to advocate for better cancer care. 🧬 Erin found CTOAM after standard care had left Korey with no more options. She knew she had to find a way to get him the help he needed…and their three young kids needed her to stay strong. She refused to give up hope. So she...
Read Article

Doctor

3 Genetic Tests Can Increase Your Life Expectancy by 80%!

Published by on November 18, 2020 | Share your thoughts

You’ve probably already heard about genetic tests for cancer. But did you know that when just one special type of genetic test is used in your cancer diagnosis your life expectancy increases by 30%? And did you know that when you add all 3 types of genetic tests to your diagnosis and treatment plan, your life expectancy increases by 80+% over standard care? Comprehensive Genetic Tests Are Key to Treatment Success With this leading-edge medical science, you and your oncologist can be certain that your diagnosis is accurate and that you’re getting the absolute best treatment for your cancer. Waste no time, leave nothing to chance. You should not feel like you’re in the dark about your cancer care! Demand certainty and don’t settle for...
Read Article

A Second Chance

A Second Chance for John

Published by on November 11, 2020 | Share your thoughts

John’s wife Nan had been diagnosed with an advanced form of cervical cancer nearly a decade ago. They spent about 5 years trying to fight it through standard care. Nan got surgery, radiation, and many rounds of chemo. She grew worse. They eventually reached out to us when it looked like there was nothing more that could be done for Nan, except for palliative chemo, through standard care. We took a look at her case and immediately sent Nan for genetic testing. Our cancer expert Alex Rolland found several promising treatment options based on results, including immunotherapy. However, due to various factors at the time, John and Nan decided to stick with standard care and continue with the palliative chemo. Nan passed away several months...
Read Article

Better cancer care

Better Cancer Care: How to Get What You Need

Published by on October 28, 2020 1 Comment

“You get what you settle for.” You’ve probably heard that one before.  A good friend of mine told me this, many years ago, in relation to my dating life. I was seeing someone new and wasn’t sure if they were right for me…and my friend said, “well Michelle, you get what you settle for! So the question is: do you want to settle for him?”  I chewed on that for a while and eventually realized, yeah…I wasn’t going to settle for this particular man. And I’m so glad I didn’t!  Why am I telling you about my past dating woes?  Because “you get what you settle for” is true for many areas of life… Including cancer care.  Getting Better Cancer Care Requires Advocacy Standard cancer...
Read Article

How David Went From Stage IV to Full Remission in Less Than 1 Year

Published by on October 21, 2020 1 Comment

David was a pilot for Air Canada, with a loving wife and two young children. He had a good life. Young at heart and in his early 40s, he stayed fit by playing tennis and loved to relax spending time with his family and their giant fluffy black cat, Snickers, in their cozy Alberta home they’d newly renovated. The Dreaded News: Stage IV Cancer… Needless to say, getting cancer was not in David’s plans.But as we all know, cancer doesn’t play fair. And in his early 40s David got the dreaded news: he had a particularly complex case of stage IV neuroendocrine cancer. Pretty much the worst case scenario, especially for someone so young. His oncologist – one of the top neuroendocrine specialists in the country – told him chemo was...
Read Article

Breast Cancer Diagnosis

A Devastating Breast Cancer Story with an Important Lesson

Published by on September 16, 2020 3 Comments

Why did Janice’s breast cancer go undiagnosed for so long? Janice came to us in October of last year. She had been experiencing pain in her left breast for over a year and could feel a strange lump. After 6 months Janice went to her doctor to see if it was breast cancer. Her GP took her concerns seriously and sent Janice for an ultrasound. But nothing obvious showed up on the results.  And since Janice had no other symptoms, her doctor said to just ‘wait and see’ if the pain continued.  9 months went by and the pain kept getting worse.  The painful waiting game… During that time, Janice tried everything: she started eating healthier, tried different bras, no bra, new pillows, physiotherapy, and...
Read Article