Topic: Cancer Advocacy

Cancer Facts vs. Fiction: How Can You Tell the Difference?

Published by on September 22, 2021 | Share your thoughts

How can you determine what are cancer facts versus false claims? This is one of the fundamental questions that I try to help folks answer. So let’s dive right in with a simple example… And one that starts with a confession 🙂 I must admit: I love a nice, cold diet Pepsi every now and again! And if you’re anything like me, you might’ve wondered from time to time… Do artificial sweeteners cause cancer? I’d heard rumors of this here and there but never knew the actual answer. And with the use of sweeteners on the rise, our research scientist and cancer expert, Alex Rolland, made a video to explain more. Take a look as we get to the bottom of this! How to Determine...
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The 2 Main Factors in Cancer Treatment Success…

Published by on August 11, 2021 | Share your thoughts

What Sarah learned about cancer treatment success, the hard way… “How do I reach the people who actually need to hear this now?” Sarah is frustrated.  Really frustrated… For over 20 years, she worked in the healthcare system. She saw first-hand the disorganization, the misplaced files, the budgetary cuts. It wasn’t anyone’s fault directly – it’s just the nature of a giant, slow-moving bureaucratic system… A system that both Sarah and I are deeply grateful for, despite its shortcomings. We both know that we are beyond lucky to live in Canada and to be able to benefit from our healthcare system. And… Like me, Sarah definitely had an insider’s insight into the challenges that occur when there’s not enough budget and too little time. Still,...
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Do You NEED to Spend Money on Cancer Care?

Published by on July 21, 2021 | Share your thoughts

Is it really, truly necessary to spend money on cancer care? Why can’t you get everything you need through public healthcare? And why aren’t the very best diagnostics and cancer treatments covered in Canada? If anything is a hot topic in cancer care, it’s THIS. 💰 And it makes me sad! In an ideal world, no one should need to think about money when it comes to their health… Especially with something as serious and challenging as cancer. It’s honestly really messed up that money plays a role in this. And yet… The lesson that I keep learning about healthcare is: We must deal with the reality of the way things are NOW, first, in order to have a chance at changing them in the...
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From Coma to Complete Remission: Kayleigh’s Incredible Story

Published by on June 23, 2021 1 Comment

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...
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Do You Need a Second Opinion?

Published by on June 16, 2021 1 Comment

Your time is precious, so I won’t beat around the bush. The answer is… YES! You 100%, absolutely, positively need a second opinion. Cancer is not a simple disease. And there are many different approaches to treating it…and new strategies are coming out all the time. What your oncologist tells you is the best treatment plan is – almost always – NOT the whole story. You almost always have more options beyond what standard care can give you. It’s up to YOU to decide if you’re going to demand the best care… Or if you’re going to settle for the first answer you get. Still not convinced? CTOAM’s cancer expert, Alex Rolland, explains why a second opinion is so important for all cancer patients…and why...
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How to Talk to Your Doctor About Precision Oncology

Published by on June 2, 2021 1 Comment

“How do I talk to my doctor about Precision Oncology?” We hear this a lot… So I wanted to give you something that might help: My team and I made this easy-to-read pamphlet specifically for this reason –  So patients could show their doctor… And start a conversation about getting better cancer care. Click here to get the pamphlet! My recommendation? Give this to your doctor and see what they say. If they have any questions or concerns, write them down, and then email them to me.  I’ll be happy to answer you back.  You can also invite your doctor to call me and my team if they’d like more information. Why is it SO important to start a conversation about Precision Oncology with your...
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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...
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Suffering from Cancer Treatment Wait Times?

Published by on March 31, 2021 | Share your thoughts

You’re not alone. It’s true… 55% of cancer patients in Canada are experiencing treatment & testing delays these. A recent article by the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network reveals that even after cancer services have resumed, over half of cancer patients are still reporting that their treatment, tests, and appointments have been cancelled or postponed… “Respondents said they had to wait an average of 34 days to reschedule cancelled or postponed in-person appointments, and 52 days to reschedule surgery and other procedures.” As I have talked about many times before, the sad reality is…even without COVID, cancer treatment wait times are far too long to begin with. You know as well as I do – you need access to proper diagnostics and treatment, NOW.  You need...
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How to Beat Stage 4 Lung Cancer – Thomas’s Story

Published by on March 10, 2021 | Share your thoughts

“5 days ago I celebrated my 75th birthday…I want to celebrate my 90th for sure. And you are my hope.” – Thomas Thomas came to us after standard care told him there were no more options left for him. He’d been diagnosed with lung cancer in 2011…which soon escalated to stage 4 lung cancer. After a long road of chemo, he finally decided to take matters into his own hands. He had no choice. Our cancer expert, Alex Rolland, got him genetic testing and a far more accurate diagnosis than he’d ever received from standard care. Alex also gave Thomas and his oncologist some excellent targeted treatment recommendations, which they were able to access. Thomas is now getting those drugs covered through Pfizer’s compassionate care...
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Cancer Treatment Delayed by COVID? See Anna’s Solution…

Published by on February 3, 2021 | Share your thoughts

Many patients are experiencing their cancer treatment being delayed due to COVID. Find out what your options are, now. How Anna Got the Right Treatment, Fast Anna had been feeling pretty strong, all considering. Sure, the shock of her breast cancer diagnosis a few months prior had turned her life upside down…  But she’d been dealing with it as well as possible. Her husband was really showing up for her and even her 6-year-old seemed to be managing fine. Anna was trying to live each day as normally as possible…taking things a day at a time. At that point, she’d gotten a few CT scans and was scheduled for surgery. The plan after surgery was chemo. While Anna was dreading the chemo, she was counting...
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