Categories for Treatment

Doctor and patient

What Questions Should You Ask Your Oncologist?

Published by on October 14, 2020 | Share your thoughts

15 to 20 mins. That’s the average length your oncologist has to talk with you at your appointment.  No wonder they’re not able to tell you about ALL your treatment options. Nor ALL the diagnostics available.  Your oncologist’s day is full to the brim: they see, on average, over 50 patients per week! Plus meetings, rounds, and learning new standard protocols. They are exhausted. Between 47% to 74% of oncologists report burnout. 67% report exhaustion. Those numbers don’t exactly inspire confidence… Oncologists do not have time – even if they wanted – for personalized cancer research. Nor learning about all the NEW protocols beyond standard care. Not their fault; it’s just how public healthcare works. This means, unfortunately, that it’s your job to find out...
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DNA

My Personal Story…Dealing with Cancer in the Family

Published by on October 8, 2020 1 Comment

Michelle Morand here. I co-founded CTOAM, alongside research scientist Alex Rolland, over a decade ago. Each day we hear stories from people around the world who are struggling with cancer. So I thought it was high-time that I shared a personal story with you…about my own experience with cancer in the family. Like a Punch in the Gut… I had a beloved uncle who was like a father to me. He was a pianist who inspired my love of music and his sweet little dog, Inch, cemented my own love of animals. He was the family member I related to the most. I loved him dearly.   When he was diagnosed with cancer I was devastated…as was my mother, his big sister. Determined to do everything we could...
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Immune System

Why Doesn’t the Immune System Kill Cancer?

Published by on September 2, 2020 | Share your thoughts

You might have wondered, why doesn’t your body’s immune system kill cancer? I mean, our bodies have found a way to fight off so many other illnesses – the flu, colds, and so on – so what makes cancer different? Think of it this way… Cancer cells are sort of like an army that goes into battle and then steals the other army’s weapons. In this case, the other army is the immune system! Our immune system has so many resources…and cancer cells are smart enough to hijack them for their own nefarious purposes. But there’s a silver lining. The immune system’s role in cancer is a huge part of cancer research right now…and it’s led to the development of immunotherapy!  Our cancer expert & research...
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Alex Trebek

How Immunotherapy Is Helping Alex Trebek

Published by on August 5, 2020 | Share your thoughts

We’re so happy to hear the good news that Mr. Trebek is improving after starting immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer. He was diagnosed in early 2019 with pancreatic cancer…and it has been a long, challenging road so far. But he’s now seeing excellent results thanks to this innovative treatment. CTOAM was the first in Canada to use immunotherapy! Did you know that we’ve been using immunotherapy for many years now? In fact, CTOAM was the first in Canada to use immunotherapy to treat stage 4 metastatic melanoma in this groundbreaking case. That was now over 5 years ago, and Joan is still in full remission! Joan was even able to get her treatments fully covered by her insurance because of the data we provided her and her oncologist with. You...
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Cancer Treatment

What is Targeted Therapy for Cancer?

Published by on July 8, 2020 | Share your thoughts

Have you heard of targeted therapy for cancer? If not, get ready to discover this new & improved way of treating cancer! Targeted therapies are drugs designed to specifically target certain cancerous mutations in the body. That means you experience way fewer side effects than traditional chemo, plus way higher success rates. Win win. Our cancer expert, Alex Rolland, and co-founder Michelle Morand explain more in this video: Watch here ⬇️ Can targeted therapy work for your form of cancer? You’re probably wondering if targeted therapy can work for your type of cancer… I have good news for you – chances are, yes! Regardless of what stage your cancer has reached – and, even if you’ve been told you’re already getting the best, or perhaps...
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A series of windmills on a bright green field with a blue sky.

4 Simple Ways to Avoid Falling for Cancer Hoaxes

Published by on April 9, 2019 | Share your thoughts

Does the noise from windmills causes cancer? Do coffee enemas cure cancer? With so many unfounded claims about what causes, prevents, and cures cancer, it can be confusing to figure out what’s actually true. Here at CTOAM, we believe in giving you all the information you need to make educated choices about cancer prevention and cancer care. So here are some simple tips to help you separate fact from fiction! 1. Think Critically When you come across a claim about cancer, the first thing to do is to think critically about it. This means using your common sense and rational brain to figure out if it seems reasonable or not. For starters, just ask some basic questions about the claim and the person (or organization)...
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Computer generated image of close-up of blue DNA strand with red cells surrounding it.

Did You Inherit Cancer Causing Gene Mutations?

Published by on February 18, 2019 1 Comment

Many of us have had a blood relative with cancer. If you inherited certain causing genetic mutations, it can increase your chances of developing cancer as well. Two Types of Inherited Mutations There are two types of inherited mutations that could affect you for cancer. 1. Germline Inherited: These are inherited through the family germline, affecting many generations. They’re relatively rare, connected with causing 10 -15% of cancers. 2. Somatic Inherited: In contrast, the other type of inherited mutation is only present in that person – and not their family. So, with this kind, there is no previous family history of cancer. Most cancers are caused by this type of inheritance. Inherited Mutations with NO Family History This type of inherited mutation occurs when the...
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Close up of colourful cancer cell and DNA.

Supposed “Cure” for Cancer is Unlikely – But Precision Oncology Brings Hope

Published by on February 1, 2019 1 Comment

A news story broke the other day, claiming that a team of Israeli scientists had found a complete cure for cancer that would be available within a year. Sounds incredible, right? There’s only one problem: anytime you see something that claims to be a cure for cancer, you should always approach it with skepticism. The idea of a ‘complete cure for cancer’ is fundamentally problematic when you understand what cancer actually is. Science Based Medicine explains: “Cancer is not one disease, but a category including many related diseases. Different cancers involve different tissues, different mutations, and different behaviors and features. While some treatments are effective against a variety of cancers, there is no one treatment effective against all cancers (let alone a cure for all...
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An older woman plays catch with her dog on the beach with joy.

Best New Year’s Resolutions for Cancer Patients | Newsletter Issue 10

Published by on January 8, 2019 | Share your thoughts

It’s that time of year again…time for the annual barrage of “New Year, New You” articles, memes, and discussions around the water cooler. If you have cancer, though, this year is probably looking a bit different. The typical New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, start running, cut out gluten, or floss daily don’t seem that important. You have one goal and wish for this year – and that’s to survive cancer. Our client care team at CTOAM has put together a list of things you can do this year that are scientifically proven to increase your chances of beating cancer. So that you can look forward to many more years of making New Year’s resolutions and spending time with your loved ones. Check out Issue...
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Close-up of blueberries, rasberries, and blackberries.

How to Prevent Cancer by Starving It | Anti-Angiogenic Foods for Cancer

Published by on November 28, 2018 3 Comments

Eating more anti-angiogenic foods for cancer is an excellent way to help prevent cancer, as well as enhance your cancer treatment and prevention of recurrence. In his fascinating TED Talk, Dr. William Li explains how we can use certain foods to starve cancer cells from ever growing into something harmful. How Angiogenesis Affects Cancer Let’s first get a few things clear about cancer and angiogenesis. Most cancers are preventable. As many as 95% of cancers are related to lifestyle and environment. Your habits (such as smoking), diet (red meat and processed meats, especially), alcohol, and environment (pollution and exposure to carcinogenic chemicals) all affect your risk of cancer. Many cancers are caused by diet. Around 30-35% of cancers are caused by lifestyle and environment. Eating certain...
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